Hey students and parents check out the HMRedding facebook fanpage. We are going to post the videos and pics from the trip on there as well as the HM webiste @ HmRedding.com. Just search "HMRedding" on your facebook and we shold be the #1 result to pop up. Become a fan and post your pics and comments.
-Jon-
Friday, April 16, 2010
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Saturday Night- Mission Viejo
Well, we made it across the border! It's very nice to be back in the united states. It's nice not to be able to flush your used toilet paper down the toilet rather than place it in the trash can next to you. It's nice to be able to read the signs. It's nice to have In-n-out. It's defintely the little things that you notice when you return.
This after noon we stopped off at a beach in Orange County for a couple hours before we headed to where we are staying tonight. It was great to relax, play in the water, play ultimate frisbee and continue to bond and laugh as a team after a long week of hard work and great encouragement. They deserved these couple hours to relax at the beach and have a great time.
We are staying at a church in Mission Veijo tonight. My friend Danny is the youth pastor here and has opened the church to us for the night. We had a pizza feast followed by a little debrief of the week. It's hard to think tomorrow at this time I'll be in my own bed. It's gone by so fast. But then again, it's also excited to think that tomorrow at this time I'll be in my own bed! The end of these trips is always bittersweet. Pray for safe travels tomorrow. We should arrive @ the church @ 6pm. That's the scheduled time. If it changes we will have students give their families a call. SEE YOU ALL TOMORROW!
-Jon
This after noon we stopped off at a beach in Orange County for a couple hours before we headed to where we are staying tonight. It was great to relax, play in the water, play ultimate frisbee and continue to bond and laugh as a team after a long week of hard work and great encouragement. They deserved these couple hours to relax at the beach and have a great time.
We are staying at a church in Mission Veijo tonight. My friend Danny is the youth pastor here and has opened the church to us for the night. We had a pizza feast followed by a little debrief of the week. It's hard to think tomorrow at this time I'll be in my own bed. It's gone by so fast. But then again, it's also excited to think that tomorrow at this time I'll be in my own bed! The end of these trips is always bittersweet. Pray for safe travels tomorrow. We should arrive @ the church @ 6pm. That's the scheduled time. If it changes we will have students give their families a call. SEE YOU ALL TOMORROW!
-Jon
Friday, April 9, 2010
Friday- Final Full Day
Well today is the final full day we will have here in Ensenada. Tomorrow we pack up and head back across the border.
Today we had a chance to relax a little in the morning and take students to a local tourist attraction: "La Bufadora" which means "The BlowHole". It's a rock formation on the ocean that shoots water 75 feet in the air. It was a nice break being that everyone is very tired. That gave us the energy for all the teams to had to final construction today. We didn't do a VBS today so we could help complete the two projects we had going simultaneously; Pastor Martin's house and the boy's home @ Santo Thomas. Both Are sheetrocked, have electricla in, a finished roof and are awaiting interior stucko and paint to be moved into. As I've said sooo many times this week, I'm proud of our students.
At 5pm all the teams met together at Pastor Martin's house where we "handed him the keys". He offered words of encouragement and thanks for us and it was so great for them to see the face of the family they were building a home for. A family that will minister in their community for years to come. That's legacy. That's so much more than rich Americans coming for an experience that they can take pictures of. That's the body of Christ being the body of Christ. One of our students, Stacy Oldham put it so well when she said that today and this week showed here how different we may be, yet were are a part of the same ONE thing. (that's my paraphrase, she said it better).
This evening we built a fire outside the missions base and spent some time worshiping through music and then students shared one of two things: 1. What God was doing in their life or 2. An an encouragement to someone else on the team. What they shared was incredilble. We have some students who dropped what we've been calling "nuggets of wisdom" on us. Wisdom beyond their years and proof that often leads through the younger generation. For myslef it has been encouraging to see a year of dreaming and months of planning come together. While we may have planned the details, God planned His purpose and it was clearly accomplished this week. But, it ain't over yet. Be praying for our crossing of the border tomorrow. That there would be no hangups and we would cross safely and stress free. Also fo praying for our travel back. We have a very long drive back and will be tired. Pray that our drivers stay attentive and wise on the roads.
I may not have a chance to post tomorrow night. If I don't see you all parents and families on sunday!
-Jon
Today we had a chance to relax a little in the morning and take students to a local tourist attraction: "La Bufadora" which means "The BlowHole". It's a rock formation on the ocean that shoots water 75 feet in the air. It was a nice break being that everyone is very tired. That gave us the energy for all the teams to had to final construction today. We didn't do a VBS today so we could help complete the two projects we had going simultaneously; Pastor Martin's house and the boy's home @ Santo Thomas. Both Are sheetrocked, have electricla in, a finished roof and are awaiting interior stucko and paint to be moved into. As I've said sooo many times this week, I'm proud of our students.
At 5pm all the teams met together at Pastor Martin's house where we "handed him the keys". He offered words of encouragement and thanks for us and it was so great for them to see the face of the family they were building a home for. A family that will minister in their community for years to come. That's legacy. That's so much more than rich Americans coming for an experience that they can take pictures of. That's the body of Christ being the body of Christ. One of our students, Stacy Oldham put it so well when she said that today and this week showed here how different we may be, yet were are a part of the same ONE thing. (that's my paraphrase, she said it better).
This evening we built a fire outside the missions base and spent some time worshiping through music and then students shared one of two things: 1. What God was doing in their life or 2. An an encouragement to someone else on the team. What they shared was incredilble. We have some students who dropped what we've been calling "nuggets of wisdom" on us. Wisdom beyond their years and proof that often leads through the younger generation. For myslef it has been encouraging to see a year of dreaming and months of planning come together. While we may have planned the details, God planned His purpose and it was clearly accomplished this week. But, it ain't over yet. Be praying for our crossing of the border tomorrow. That there would be no hangups and we would cross safely and stress free. Also fo praying for our travel back. We have a very long drive back and will be tired. Pray that our drivers stay attentive and wise on the roads.
I may not have a chance to post tomorrow night. If I don't see you all parents and families on sunday!
-Jon
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Thursday- Finishing Construction and Clothing Disribution
Each day breakfast is at 7am. I have never been so angry to see 7am. After a long day of work and playing with kids in the sun it seems just soooooo early. Though we may drag a little each day in the morning, each night seems to have so much energy to it. Such a great sign that students feel energized by what they are doing, the relationships the are building and the fun we are having amidst hard work. Today our team was in thirds in the morning as it has been each day. One team helping finish the missions base, one finishing the house for Pastor Martin and one finishing a workshop and housing at a boys home in Santo Thomas.
In the afternoon we did VBS but had a special treat along with it. One of students and parents, Jordan and Stephanie Baker worked so hard before the trip to collect a TON of soccer stuff and also some clothing. Today they distributed the soccer stuff at one of the local churches where they have soccer tournaments and a lot of older kids who would love to have this stuff. Soccer is something that is loved down here with passion unlike we Americans have for any sport, so to have the chance to give them soccer stuff is perfect.
We also had a special meal tonight. Pastor Martin and his family cooked us dinner as a way to say thank you for building his home. They cooked us some amazing fish tacos with homemade tortillas and we were in heaven after a long day. He said thank you with Rick translating and it was so heartfelt that I was very grateful that students had the chance to meet and hear from the family they were building a house for. Where else do they get to see that!!! His wife then serenaded us with three songs, such a unique way to say thanks.
i can't believe this trip is starting to come to a close. It has gone by sooo fast.
On another note, I left my camera in my bag today in the bustle of the morning and getting people into vans to get to their various locations. Though I figure being organized and safe is a good excuse so I'm banking on you letting me get away with no pictures for today. Don't worry they'll be back.
-Jon-
In the afternoon we did VBS but had a special treat along with it. One of students and parents, Jordan and Stephanie Baker worked so hard before the trip to collect a TON of soccer stuff and also some clothing. Today they distributed the soccer stuff at one of the local churches where they have soccer tournaments and a lot of older kids who would love to have this stuff. Soccer is something that is loved down here with passion unlike we Americans have for any sport, so to have the chance to give them soccer stuff is perfect.
We also had a special meal tonight. Pastor Martin and his family cooked us dinner as a way to say thank you for building his home. They cooked us some amazing fish tacos with homemade tortillas and we were in heaven after a long day. He said thank you with Rick translating and it was so heartfelt that I was very grateful that students had the chance to meet and hear from the family they were building a house for. Where else do they get to see that!!! His wife then serenaded us with three songs, such a unique way to say thanks.
i can't believe this trip is starting to come to a close. It has gone by sooo fast.
On another note, I left my camera in my bag today in the bustle of the morning and getting people into vans to get to their various locations. Though I figure being organized and safe is a good excuse so I'm banking on you letting me get away with no pictures for today. Don't worry they'll be back.
-Jon-
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Wednesday- More Construction and VBS
This is going to be a shorter post b/c not too much is different from the day before and I (jon) am exhausted and the thought of a 6:30 am wake up is looming over my head with some planning for tommorow to still be done. Today we continued with the projects we started at Durango for Pastor Martin and @ Santo Thomas for the boys home. A team also went out in the afternoon to do VBS and today at a different church than before. Each day, Tammy is taking us to a different church that is a part of the ones they have partnered with and help build or plant. Our students really are doing an incredible job. One of the nice by products of the trip is that they are bonding together and getting to know one another and people they didn't before the trip. It's really nice to see a family atmosphere build among our community of students and staff. They are building memories but so am I and I'm so proud of them, their incredible work ethic and the courage that some have had to do such new things. I know I might say this every night but it's true. We have great students, great staff and an incredible team. We may be tired tomorrow morning but we are going for it with one motto that keeps being spoken over and over "It's all bueno!" Meaning whatever comes our way we're happy to take it on. Until tommorow.
-Jon-
-Jon-
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Tuesday- Contstruction and VBS
Today our teams headed in three different directions. The first team spent the morning helping finish the brand new facility we are staying in. We are only the second team to stay in the brand new two story building Rick and Tammy built for all the teams they have coming to Ensenada. The second team (the team I was a part of) began construction for a house for one of the pastors Rick and Tammy work with, Pastor Martin (pronounced Mar-teen, gotta say it right!). It was incredible to think we were building something with our own hands that would house years of future ministry. (Side Note: the pictures below are of framing the house).
Those two teams later combined into one team in the afternoon for children's VBS @ a local church. We walked the community and invited kids to the church and our students were incredible! Special shout outs for Katarina Schmidt, Teresa Craig and Rachel Sumption who took most of the translating and inviting upon their shoulders and did amazing! Their knowledge of spanish defintely saved our communication with the kids. We played soccer with the kids, led them in a craft and did a bible lesson read, translated and acted by our students. (There are a couple pictures of playing with the kids outside the church)
The other half our group formed the third team that spent all day @ Santo Thomas, a boys home run by one of the local pastors. Their they managed to frame and and put up the walls of an entire house in one day! They worked so hard and looked so tired when they came back.
I told our students tonight that I'm so proud that I HAVE TO be an observer on this trip. That they are doing the ministry and don't need me or other staff "gently pushing" them into anything. I can honestly say the whole group has embraced taking the initiative to do things they normally wouldn't do. Whether that be framing a wall, walking up to a person and inviting them to church or get up in front of people and share a testimony or VBS lesson. Can't wait for the rest of the week!
-Jon-
Those two teams later combined into one team in the afternoon for children's VBS @ a local church. We walked the community and invited kids to the church and our students were incredible! Special shout outs for Katarina Schmidt, Teresa Craig and Rachel Sumption who took most of the translating and inviting upon their shoulders and did amazing! Their knowledge of spanish defintely saved our communication with the kids. We played soccer with the kids, led them in a craft and did a bible lesson read, translated and acted by our students. (There are a couple pictures of playing with the kids outside the church)
The other half our group formed the third team that spent all day @ Santo Thomas, a boys home run by one of the local pastors. Their they managed to frame and and put up the walls of an entire house in one day! They worked so hard and looked so tired when they came back.
I told our students tonight that I'm so proud that I HAVE TO be an observer on this trip. That they are doing the ministry and don't need me or other staff "gently pushing" them into anything. I can honestly say the whole group has embraced taking the initiative to do things they normally wouldn't do. Whether that be framing a wall, walking up to a person and inviting them to church or get up in front of people and share a testimony or VBS lesson. Can't wait for the rest of the week!
-Jon-
Monday, April 5, 2010
Monday
We have arrived! Apart from some pouring rain coming out of Long Beach our trip into Ensenada has gone off without a hitch. In fact, this day's driving, including crossing the border was much smoother than simply traveling through California. As soon as we arrived in Ensenada (about 3 pm) we quickly unpacked, split the team in two halves and headed off right away. Half our team went with Rick(the missionary) to check out the construction sites we will be working at throughout the week. The other half visited one of the churches and handed out food and clothes. When we arrived at the church (I (Jon) went with this half of the team) we hopped right into the church service that was already going on. Right before we left, Tammy (other missionary, Rick's other half) asked if we had students that would be willing to share a testimony in the church. Three of our students: Garrett Warren, Emily Aman and Leanne Peer volunteered and were great, I'm proud of them for being willing to step out like that and with such short notice. Below are a few pictures of the church we visited and that part of the day.
We are the second group to stay in the new mission facility that Rick and Tammy have built. So we have clean water, padded beds (sorta) and great food. Please pray for our student's and staff's health, spiritual growth, safety and heart to serve others as we head into our first full day of ministry tomorrow. We will be doing construction, VBS and prayer ministry.
On a side note, most updates from the day are going to be late in the evening. Because it will be one of the few times I can make it to internet access.
-Jon-
We are the second group to stay in the new mission facility that Rick and Tammy have built. So we have clean water, padded beds (sorta) and great food. Please pray for our student's and staff's health, spiritual growth, safety and heart to serve others as we head into our first full day of ministry tomorrow. We will be doing construction, VBS and prayer ministry.
On a side note, most updates from the day are going to be late in the evening. Because it will be one of the few times I can make it to internet access.
-Jon-
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