FOPC La Esperanza Team Trip

Finishing our time up here

2011-08-05T23:36:00.000-07:00

No pictures tonight as it is late and my corner by the garage is a little cold and lonely.
Yesterday we finished up our time in the migrant camp. We had our usual puppet show and drama and then ended the day by talking about the importance of hand washing and giving each child an orange. The kids seemed to enjoy the treat but we think the oranges must have had a high sugar content because the kids were super wound up when we went back for film ministry. There were lots of kids hanging around for the film and several adults went up for prayer after the film was over.
Today we did our last work projects and the last day of Upward. We accomplished a lot this week and many new skills were learned. The Upward camp was again a huge success not only in improving kids basketball skills but in teaching them the word of God.
We had our annual bonfire tonight and everyone had the opportunity to share how the week went. Lots of growth as a church family and as individuals. We are looking forward to what the Lord has in store for us back home and hope to be able to come back here again next year.
We are hoping to leave here tomorrow between 8 and 9. Please pray for travel mercies and for an easy border crossing that will get us back in plenty of time to make our flight.
Can't wait to share our stories with everyone.

Flight Information

2011-08-05T10:09:00.000-07:00

Hello friends and family of La Esperanza team,

We have had many requests for the return flight information of the La Esperanza team. If your family member is flying home with the team, here is the flight info:
Saturday, August 5, 2011
Southwest Airlines
Flight 3103
Leaves San Diego at 8:25pm
Arrives Sacramento at 9:50pm

Hopes this helps you all find your loved ones as they arrive back in the good ole USA.
Melissa

More pics

2011-08-03T22:43:00.000-07:00

Another great day

2011-08-03T22:20:00.000-07:00

We have just finished our mid point of the week. I am sitting out in my secret spot near the garage where I can get the wifi signal. Papa Ken just got back from taking some people home after church, most people are getting ready for bed or sitting in the dining hall talking and a couple of the men are across the driveway from me working on installing lights in a room they want to use for Bible classes. Satan is trying to stop the work here as what should have been a short fix has taken several days. Our God will prevail and more Bible leaders will be trained and sent out.

Work projects today went very well. Everyone has such great attitudes about doing even the yuckiest jobs for the Lord.

Upward Basketball has been a huge success. The kids are really enjoying it. The first day there were about 30 kids and today they had over 50. They had their first actual scrimmage today.

Everyone's favorite part of the trip is going out to the migrant camps and this year is no exception. By now we all have certain kids gravitating towards us and sitting with us during the drama and Bible story that is led by the Bible students. The kids love watching the puppet show that our kids put on each day. We don't have a lot of fancy props and certainly aren't professional about our performing but the kids are hearing the word of God and that is what matters. Tomorrow will be a sad day as we go out for our last visit.

Tonight after skyping in to FOPC we went to the mid-week church service. Worship time in the Mexican church is so uplifting. And tiring!!! They love to sing and dance to the Lord.

Looking forward to what tomorrow will bring.

And more pics

2011-08-02T21:00:00.000-07:00

Got it figured out

2011-08-02T20:50:00.000-07:00

more pics

2011-08-02T20:44:00.001-07:00

pics???

2011-08-02T20:25:00.000-07:00

Pictures coming soon

2011-08-02T12:19:00.001-07:00

Just finished our second day of work projects. I am trying in vain to add some pictures. The internet access is spotty at best. Right now I am in a secluded corner holding the computer on my lap hoping to turn it to just the right angle. Adding pictures seems to complicate it even more. I will continue to try so keep checking back.

First work day

2011-08-01T22:01:00.000-07:00

The team arrived here at La Esperanza on Saturday around 10:00p.m. Even though it was late it might have been a record for our team. There is just no way you can get a large team down here in a speedy manner.
Sunday we did our orientation and then had some free time in the afternoon. Many of the team members went down to the beach. While there a conversation was struck with the gate keeper and an invitation to join us at church was extended. Imagine how wonderful it was for us to see him at the church service.
The service was wonderful and in true Mexican style full of lots of joyful worship. We got to witness the dedication of the pastor’s niece and hear a wonderful sermon. It is always a joy to worship our God together with our Mexican brothers and sisters.
Today we had our first full day of ministry. We started the day with worship and chapel and moved on to work projects and Upward in the morning. There were about 30 – 35 kids participating at the Upward camp and we expect we will see more tomorrow. The work projects consisted of some plastering, some roofing, some electrical work and general cleaning. The kids worked on getting ready for VBS and puppet ministry.
After lunch we went out to Camp Vergel to do VBS. There were about 300 kids out there. We played with them, gave many horsie rides, blew bubbles and painted fingernails. After playtime we did our puppet show and the Bible students gave a lesson. This was followed by a fun craft that had everyone involved.
Tonight we had an authentic Mexican meal cooked by some of the church members. Most of the team went back out to Camp Vergel to film ministry. Everyone is now winding down and headed to bed.
Thanks for your continued prayers.

Packing up

2011-07-28T14:35:00.000-07:00

Yesterday nine team members descended on Costco and raised through throwing things on cart after cart after cart. One weeks shopping for 60 plus people was done in a matter of hours. Well, okay really we had to go to two different stores and then we were done. Last night a crew washed and prepped all the vegis and fruit and in a few short hours the packing of the truck will begin. Please pray for Jim, our truck driver extraordinaire as he heads down Highway 5 tomorrow. We will all meet up with him on Saturday morning. Pray that for once we have an easy border crossing and trip down there and that we shock the missionaries there by arriving before midnight.
We will post to the blog if possible throughout the week. We are also hoping to make a skype call into the FOPC missions potluck on Wednesday night.
Thanks for praying for us. We could not do this without your support.

Getting ready

2011-06-14T16:43:00.000-07:00

Some of the team at our recent commissioning.

The La Esperanza team - 60 people strong is getting ready to head out on July 30th. We are in our final preparation and fund raising stages. Help us raise the needed funds by joining us at the following events:

Thursday, June 23 - Mountain Mike's Pizza at the corner of Madison and Fair Oaks Blvd. This fund raiser is all day and good for dine in, carry out or delivery. Please mention FOPC when ordering.

Sunday, June 26 - Car wash from 11:30 - 2:00 in the south parking lot of Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church. Our youngest team members will be selling baked goods and lemonade for you to enjoy while you wait.

Sunday, July 10 - Barbeque for Baja. We will be selling burgers and hot dogs on the church plaza starting at 11:00.

Thursday, July 14 - Double your fun by patronizing Panda Express and Big Spoon on the corner of Madison and Hazel. Lunch, dinner and dessert all in one place.

Thank you for your support.

2011-06-14T13:58:00.001-07:00

The La Esperanza team, sixty people strong is currently in the planning and fundraising stages.

Currently we have the following fundraisers scheduled:
June 23 at Mountain Mike's on the corner of Madison Ave and Fair Oaks Blvd. This is an all day event and is good for dine in, take out or delivery. Just mention FOPC when you order.
Sunday, June 26 there is a car wash from 11:30 - 2:00 in the southeast parking lot of the church. Our youngest team members will be selling lemonade and cookies for your enjoyment while you wait.
July 10th starting at 11:00 we are having a burger for Baja fundraiser on the plaza.
July 14 there is a fundraiser at Panda Express and Big Spoon located in the shopping center at Madison and Hazel. Lunch or dinner and dessert all in one stop.

Thank you for supporting our team. We leave on July 30th.