Mexico House-Build # 4 for Lambs Murrieta

Friday Mission Team

This was our fourth house build with Pouring out Hope. From the time that we started a year ago, there has been violence between the government and drug cartels in Mexico. However, each time we go down everything appears peaceful and we see nothing of this struggle. Of course, we have never gone down without being bathed in prayer.

This time the news media has been full of details: kidnappings, beheadings, etc. A week before we were ready to go, 6 of our key people bowed out of the trip due to fear of this crazy behavior. Yet for Jim and I felt no check in our spirits as we prayed. Pastor John confirmed this as well. We felt a peace and a green light to go. When people kept quitting, it did cause us to reexamine God's plans, but again, He said, "GO". God reminded us of Isaiah 58:7, feed the poor, and give shelter to the homeless. He then reminded us that we needed to be ready to die or suffer violence for Him. On the other hand, He showed us that, as He was with Shad, Meshach, and Digo, He is able to protect us and watch over us.

We now had a new prayer for God to send the workers. This time we were in charge of not only our house, but leading the build for Gracepoint Nazarene. If that weren't enough, Lamb's Elsinore was leading the build for RRC church in Rancho Cucamonga and building for the Microsoft team. Four houses and one weekend, hmmm….

For our home we had only 6 signed up for the Friday trip and another 9 for Saturday (not many of them skilled workmen). That's a pretty small group and we didn't know the numbers or skill of the team from Gracepoint. Then a wonderful thing happened. Sunday before our trip was missions Sunday, and our speaker was from China. He spoke about taking a risk for Jesus – getting out of the boat and walking on the water. At the same time, Pastor John encouraged those who could heed the call should pray about going to the Mexico house-build. We ended up with more then we could take! Praise God.

Our drive down on Friday was a long slow process. There was a new process for clearing the houses and we had 4 to pass through inspection. It took nearly 3 hours to get approval to move the houses south compared to the half hour we were accustomed to. We skipped our lunch stop and Home Depot purchases, and went straight to Maneadero. We took a 'short-cut', and one vehicle couldn't pull their trailer up the hill. Another vehicle did the pulling and finally we arrived with our feet jumping out and flying. Everything was unloaded, 4 floors installed, and the outhouse support floor was laid down with car lights coming in handy.

Jesus did a miracle for us with our meals. Eighteen people came along. Amber Sheffield had planned dinner for our team of 9. The other team forgot to plan for dinner and had none. Amazingly, her spaghetti, salad and breadsticks fed the entire 18 with plenty and also fed a few of our neighbors who shared our campfire.

The next morning the Lord again did His 'loaves and fishes' multiplication and a 9 person breakfast extended to feed 18+ people. All were filled and no one went hungry. Jesus used Amber's hands in an incredible way!

Saturday Mission Team

After our yummy breakfast, some of us went to clear out our camp sites and break down the tents, while others started building. Jim Sheffield led a good crew to get Murrieta's house going and they zoomed. Jim Thomas was working on the Gracepoint house with George Ibanez helping. James Trier worked with his on the new school house (Rancho Cucamonga sponsored). Ray had to go to Home Depot for the tanks, outhouses, and a fence order. The Elsinore house had no one working on it so some of the other men and women broke off to get the Microsoft house going. It was a short time later that a huge caravan of cars was seen rumbling, stirring a dust cloud seen for a mile. We now had over 100 people!

The work that followed was rather mind boggling. As I walked around I saw masses of people working at each house. Jay Harvey was able to lead the Elsinore build, so that got going. The little valley rang with the noise of hammers and saws. A Christian carnival drew a milieu of locals to have fun and hear about salvation. Pop ups sprang up in our old tent site, and food stations were formed. At lunch time not only were the 100+ workers fed and about another 100 of the locals had their fill.

When Murrieta finished their house, they jumped in to help complete the others where they could help. By 5:00 PM almost of the houses were complete. Presentations were held for the three families. Murrieta presented the keys to Jose Louis, Rosio, and little Julian. Tears of joy flowed freely from their eyes. They were no longer confined to a small trailer and attached shanty, but they had a rain proof roof with a shaded patio cover. Water would be gravity fed into their sink from a raised tank. They had a bounty of rice and beans, blankets and clothes. Two special gifts were given at the end. One, Amber printed up pictures from the build, and put them in a frame for their home. The other was a beautiful Spanish Bible that Claudine had purchased. I know the family that received this house was blessed, but I believe I can speak for those of us who participated in the giving in saying that we were filled with His joy and presence as well. It was pressed down, shaken together, and overflowing Luke 6:38.

The Lord protected us all as we drove home through Mexico. No problems a 50 minute border crossing, and the joyful reunion of our bodies with our own beds. Yes, it was late, but so rewarding. I am glad 28 people from our church, Lamb's Murrieta, chose to step out of their comfortable boats, and walk on the water. It turns out we weren't asked to give anything up except our comfort and time. In return we were given joy and blessings that we never would have received sitting by our TVs at home.

Thank you Lord, for making our lives so much richer by being a part of your perfect plan.

USA Build Microsoft House - milestone complete 3/7/2009 - SHIP IT!

Hola mi peeps,

Thanks to the work you did, the US Prefab has reached RTM. Chris has lots of pics and video, but sent me the 2 teasers attached.

There was a over 40 people, including kids close to 50. Holy Guacamole!

There were Microsoft people I didn't know, and others that brought friends and family along with them. Pouring Out Hope provided us a crew and Lambs Elsinore let us use the facilities. We had a great lunch of Tortilla soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. The trailer was loaded and roll'n to my house by 2:30.

Our foreman was "Jay Harvey" from POH and his wife hosted lunch! I saw a few repeat and 3peat attendees looking like leaders out there including Ken and his friend Mike that showed early and jumped on the framing and others like Ron and Chris. Richard had a trim crew going too for the windows (that's windows not Windows), and there were lots of crews of people organized into small groups hammering, hoisting and shimmying. Ron brought his toolchest which included his arm extenders, board stretcher and also his left handed crescent wrench which all came in handy. Lanie brought Krispy cream.. which reminds me..the ladies, OMGosh – there were as many women as men (as there should be) and they were bust'n a move (outpaced me 2:1 anyway).

So this is a big FAT thank you from your big PHAT host. ;)

I'll send some details soon for the upcoming Mexico trip on 3/28 where we finish this off.

Ad-i-os,

Thanks,

Eric