Resurrecting the Prison Ministry-August 2009

The air was filled with anticipation as my self and four other ladies prepared to travel to the Ensenada Prison. We went over our checklist that would allow us entrance, made a few changes and forged on. Worship and prayer filled the van as we headed down the toll road admiring the breathtaking ocean side view on our way to Ensenada.
When we got to the prison and our groups name was not on the list. First strike against us! Connections with prison officials has failed somewhere down the line. Next we were told we needed “special” prison approved identification to enter. Strike two against us! Rules had changed since YUGO last visited the prisons. Two strikes against us, yet the Lord opened the doors and we were allowed in to see the women prisoners.


Our Prison Ministry Team-Silvia,Soledad,Cheryl,Lupe,Locerro

I had only taken part in Prison Ministry a few times in the past. As soon as I saw the women prisoners I was filled with a deep love and compassion for them. I am sure each women from our group felt the same. As a group we led the women into a time of worship and later shared testimonies of our pasts and where God had brought us with his love and nurturing. Our time of worship was beautiful. Our prayer is that those that do not know our Creator would come to know Him and those that do know Him would be set free from the chains that hold them in bondage to their past hurts.
Rod continues to direct the Evangelistic Outreaches at the Tijuana Outreach Center. We have fewer teams due to the hype about the violence and Swine flu scares. Those that have come to Mexico, despite the hype are committed to reaching out to the Mexican people and have seen great results from their efforts. Our six interns and staff have been having their own outreaches and have had the opportunity to touch the lives of many.


Rebekah registering for MK (missionary kid) debriefing

Summer is going very quickly. As I write, Rebekah is at an MK (missionary kid) debriefing seminar which will prepare her for returning to reside in Canada. We did get a couple quick phone calls letting us know she was enjoying herself with the other 36 Third Culture Kids at the seminar. What is a Third Culture Kid you ask? “Someone who, as a child, has spent a significant period of time in one or more cultures other than his or her own, thus integrating elements of those cultures and their own Rebekah registering at MK seminar birth culture, into a third culture". Rebekah was excited to meet others TCK’s like herself from all over the world. She tells me some will live close to her in Canada.
After a So-Long (never goodbye) Party for Rebekah we will pack up, hop in the van and head to Canada with all Rebekah’s belongings. Rod will remain in Canada three weeks and then will return to Mexico. I will stay in Canada for two to three months to help Rebekah transition and help care for my brothers children while Jack travels to Calgary (3 ½ hours from home) for a bone marrow transplant. Thank you to those that have prayed with us for the bone marrow donors. Thank you to those that have been praying for us in this time of transition with Rebekah leaving. Your prayers are being answered. God has been faithful in all areas.

Rebekah's Graduation-July 2009

“I am the Lord your God who holds your right hand, and I tell you, “Don’t be afraid. I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13
Waiting, anticipating, dreaming, and planning! This is what a Father does when awaiting the birth of an unborn child. The time draws nearer, excitement fills the air. And then, the time comes, the newborn arrives. The Father has a heart bursting with pride at his creation. He tenderly lifts his child into his arms and begins the work of shaping, training, teaching, comforting, caring, and sharing deep truths. The gift of belonging to a Father brings special privileges. (Charles Stanley)
Wow! It seems like just yesterday we were anticipating the arrival of Rebekah into our arms. Where have the last 18 years gone? Rebekah came into the world wide eyed and ready to change the world. While growing up, we often told her, “Someday you will be a leader.” Her strong will, love for God and those around her will sustain her as she prepares to leave Mexico and use her leadership abilities to leave her mark in the world.



Rebekah graduated with honors

July 25 marked a special day for all of us. Rebekah graduated from Highland Prince Academy. She received three awards, one was an award for leadership. It was an honor to see our last child graduate with honors.
This is just the beginning of a new chapter in Rebekah’s life.
Her intentions are to take the first year off school to work and save up for college while upgrading her English. She will live with the Oudenaarden famly in St. Albert. Next fall she will apply with Prairie Bible Institute in Three Hills, Alberta to pursue her career choice of nursing.
For those that have been praying for Rebekah these many years. Thank you. Your prayers have made a difference. Rebekah has become a woman of excellence with a great head on her shoulders. Keep praying as she transitions back into life in Canada after living in a third world country for five years.
It has been a busy but rewarding month. Let me share a few key points of interest:
- Missionary Training was placed on hold for the summer and will resume in the fall. Mike’s final teaching ‘Raising Resilient Missionary Kids’ before placing Missionary Training on hold for the summer was outstanding. Good timing Mike.
- our ‘Women in Leadership’ bible study has also been placed on hold until fall.
- a deck was built on the back of El Faro with the help of the Fruin family and YUGO missionary Trevor Robinson
- landscaping is almost completed. No more lodo (mud) coming to the front door when the heavy rains come. Rain gutters are still on our wish list.
- Bryce Doherty joined us for a week in helping work around El Faro. We are thankful for his servant heart.
- Rod picked up our summer interns and they are trained and ready for service this summer. Bryce Doherty is one of our summer interns this year. Way to go Bryce!
- the Furgeson family (formerly Stacy Frederick, the YUGO missionary who built El Faro before leaving the field) joined us for a week of ministry. It was awesome!
- we had our first week of Evangelistic Outreaches last week with two teams (19 people). 32 Mexicans made commitments to follow Jesus. WOW!!! Great odds, eh!

Mulege Here We Come-Jun 2009

”You will leave me alone, but I am never really alone, because the Father is with me.” John 16:32 b
You have probably heard about the swine flu epidemic! Thank you to the many that have contacted us, concerned about our welfare. We are fine! The Mexican schools are closed, and many are concerned about the already weak economy in Mexico, but God is on the throne.
What this swine flu situation did, was give us the opportunity to fulfill a promise we had made to Rebekah before she leaves Mexico. We hopped in the van and traveled down the Baja on a family vacation. It was simply amazing. If you ever want to find out how to take a trip to Mulege (paradise), send us an e-mail and we will fill you in on how to take an inexpensive getaway where you can bask in God’s beautiful handiwork and allow His creation to rejuvenate you.



Rebekah enjoying the shade of the cabana

Rod and I will return to Canada with Rebekah in August to help her transition to life, work and eventually college. Before she leaves Mexico, she will attend MK (missionary kid) debriefing to help her prepare for the upcoming changes in her future. Too bad they did not have a course to help Rod and I adjust to being empty nesters!! I have included in this prayer letter Rebekah’s bio she was asked to send to Barnabus International for her debriefing. You can read firsthand some of the struggles and triumphs in the life of a missionary kid, our kid.

When I was 11 years old my parents took our family on a family mission trip to Ensenada, Mexico. We were able to work with a feeding program and we got to see the needs that the Mexicans have. On that trip our family caught the mission flame. After returning from our mission trip, my parents felt like we were being led down there. I thought it was just another one of their ideas that would soon pass, but I was wrong. It didn’t become a reality until I was 13. We left in the later part of July 2004. I was angry at my parents that they made me leave my life, my school, my family and my friends. When we finally got here, I actually started to enjoy it. We came during outreach time when there is a lot of people and other youth. It wasn’t till after the summer when I started to dislike Mexico yet again. We were living at a ranch with only 3 other people, all over the age of 45. This was very hard on me because I never had anyone my age and also because I didn’t know the language.
After one year of solitude and being home schooled by a 23 year old missionary, we began looking for a school I could attend. We found Highland Prince Academy Secundaria which is a bilingual Jr. High. I attended there the fallowing year and loved it. During that year my Spanish grew immensely. I could communicate and under stand other youth. I finally felt like I belonged here in Mexico. After one year at HPA Secundaria we began looking for a high school. It was between crossing and going to San Diego everyday or finding a high school down here. I decided to stay and started attending Highland Prince Academy Preparatoria. The only thing was that the high school was not bilingual and all my classes would be in Spanish. It was a sink or swim situation, but thank God, I prevailed. With out Him I would not have been able to do it. I have now been at this high school for three years and because of the amount of Spanish I have learned, I am able to translate for my parents, groups, events and outreaches. I am one of the translators for YUGO Ministries! That is the main ministry that God has me in and I enjoy it. I believe that if God hadn’t sent me to Mexico, I wouldn’t be the person that I am today. I have learned such a great compassion for the less fortunate. God has opened my eyes to how the majority of the world lives. I really want to go to Barnabas to learn how to transition into a culture that I’m not used to. I also want to learn what to expect and how to deal with it.

Thanks for your many prayers that helped Rebekah, Rod and I adjust to the life we live in Mexico. You, our partners in ministry have been an incredible blessing in so many ways. We know our prayers and yours will sustain Rebekah with her upcoming changes.

Visions Trips & Outreaches-May 2009

“Enjoy serving the Lord and He will give you what you want.” Psalm 37:4
After many e-mails going back and forth, the day finally arrived. The Hafermehl and Hutlet families joined us in ministry. We began our Visions Trip (a taste of missions) with a Cultural Day in downtown Ensenada. The day was given a new name “The Amazing Race” as both families took part in a scavenger hunt with the goal of experiencing being in a third world country and not understanding the culture or the language. Eating fresh fish tacos at a local taco stand was a highlight for us all.


Hafermehls & Hutlets enjoying fish tacos

The week continued on with many opportunities to reach out to our Mexican friends. Both families returned to El Faro in the evenings to rehash the events of the day and play some board games. We ended the week by sharing a pre-Easter turkey dinner filled with laughter and sharing how the week had impacted each person individually.
Rod and other YUGO staff traveled to Mexicali to join others from Canada and the US to reach the Mexican people with the truth about a God that sent His son to be crucified on a cross to save us from our sins. Rebekah and I remained in El Faro to lead the Seivewright family on a Vision Trip.


The Seivewright Family bringing groceries to a local orphanage

They had an awesome week serving the Mexican people. The highlight of the week was visiting a migrant camp and having four children accept Jesus into their hearts.
These were three great families with beautiful hearts to serve. Many thanks for all your hard work and love shown towards our Mexican friends. You guys were amazing!
What are your desires? If we desire to follow God’s plan for our lives, we will find pleasure in serving. What do you love to do? What brings you joy? What gives you a sense of satisfaction? Ever consider joining us for a week of ministry like the Hutlet, Hafermehl and Seivewright families did? We will plan your vacation with a purpose in areas where you can get involved in serving the Mexican people. Maybe you would like to come and serve at our Summer Evangelistic Outreaches, get involved in ministry at Grace Children’s Home (YUGO orphanage), build a house for a poor family, share a story and testimony at a migrant camp, paint, build a roof, serve a meal at a feeding program. Pray and ask how you too can get involved.
While I worked with the families that came to take part in Vision Trips, Rod directed the Easter/Spring Evangelistic Outreaches in Mexicali.


Rod and Chuck taking a well deserved break after a long hard day!

Over 100 people from Canada and the US joined the local churches to share the message of hope to the Mexican people. 76 people recognized their need to know this Jesus that was so freely shared about.
Each of you, are a blessing to us. I wonder when we get to heaven if we will hear Jesus say “I am pleased that you let me use you. Because of you, others are here today. Would you like to meet them?” What steps are you taking to encourage others to take that step of faith? Whether you are called to come and serve, stay and pray or give sacrificially, you are our partners in ministry. Thanks for all you do to further His kingdom.

Chicken Scraps-Apr 2009

“Our only goal is to please God whether we live here or there” II Corinthians 5:9
A day I will never forget! With the prices soaring, tourism down, way down, I heard a Mexican friend use the term “desperate”.
A while back, I baked a chicken. I always save the bones, fat and skin for starving dogs. After dropping Rebekah off for school, I went searching for the prize winning dog that would receive the scraps. Just a few blocks from home I spotted a neighbor with her dog. I eyed it up and decided it would be the lucky dog that would receive the hardy breakfast. I held the bag of scraps out the car window as I proceeded to ask my neighbor if I could feed her dog. She stepped closer to the car, grasped the bag and the clutched it to her chest. She was all excited and proceeded to tell me about the tacos she was going to make for herself from the ingredients in the bag. In shock, I sheepishly protested that the bag contained mostly skin and bones. I wished I had left meat on those bones that particular day. My neighbor continued to smile and assure me how delicious her meal would be.
We came to Mexico, thinking we had something to offer to the Mexican people. In retrospect, daily I learn from them with their simple ways, tender hearts and always reaching out in love. The same dear friend that spoke of being desperate is now in Canada working. The process to get Miguel to Canada was a God thing. Right from the time he was a young child he desired to go to Canada. After 1 ½ years of filling out paper work, getting visas and waiting and then waiting some more, Miguel is earning good money in Canada. I assure you, most of it will be sent back to help his family here in Mexico. He is no longer desperate.


Miguel filling out the many papers required of immigration

The night before he left, he gave me his greatest possession ever as a gift for our friendship. When his father passed away, he was given his fathers pocket watch as a remembrance of his dad. I accepted the gift knowing that it was something to be treasured. Miguel’sgenerosity is common amongst the Mexican people. I have much to learn from them.
This month we are celebrating 10 years of being involved with YUGO Ministries. It has been stretching but rewarding being able to take part in reaching the Mexican people with the love of God. This month has been has been filled with amazing opportunities to reach out to the Mexican people.


Praying in a circle after the painting was completed.

21 youth from an affluent Mexican church painted an underprivileged church inside and out for Pastor Diaz. Good job San Pablo youth!!
Emmanual CRC youth joined YUGO’s staff in ministry again this year and did many projects. They even taught the orphans at an orphanage how to do drime (drama to music). You guys are amazing Emmanual CRC youth!!!


Emmanual CRC youth from Canada teaching the orphans how to do drama

It is an honor and a privilege to be here in Mexico doing what we do.