Power is on!

Now with the rooms cooled down everyone can sleep better! Praise God!


Pastor Matt and the Mexico Team

Power out at Rancho

We came back to the Ranch with no power which definately heats up the rooms. Praying for a cool breeze.
We suspended all evening activities and have sent everyone to bed to get their batteries recharged. Most of the kids that have been sick are still weak so please continue to pray for them.
Even though we have been through some trials over the last 24 hours God had showered his presence and peace on this team as he has walked every step of the way with us this week.


Pastor Matt and the Mexico Team

Student Thoughts...

Hi, my name is Brooks: A few of the things that have stuck with me over the course of this trip to Mexico have been the morning chapel services where the songs are in Spanish, the times that the group has ventured into the neighborhoods nearby in the area that we were about to minister in, and the occasions where myself and others from the team get to play some soccer or "fútbol" with the locals. The morning worship is powerful-people hold far less back than they do in the states, I've been amazed at how warmly our invitations to go to the day's program have been received, and it's just simply a blast to play some soccer with the kids here. I feel that the entire team has grown closer to each other and to God as well over the course of this trip.


Pastor Matt and the Mexico Team

Student thoughts...

Hi my name is Allie,
One of my favorite experiences on this trip has been going out into the neighborhoods at La Roca and praying for people. It was such an amazing experience. The people were so willing to have us pray for them, something that I'm not sure people back home would be so open to.


Pastor Matt and the Mexico Team

Team health update

I'm sure many of you are wanting an update of the status of your loved ones on the trip. Everyone is headed to full health. All the girls and guys are past the issues they had last night and are eating and drinking normally.
If there is ever a need to contact a parent or guardian about a health issue we will do it immediately. Thankfully we didn't need to make those calls.


Pastor Matt and the Mexico Team

Beach day

We are at the beach enjoying the day off. It's bittersweet not having the whole team as 9 team members are at the Ranch.


Pastor Matt and the Mexico Team

Team on the Mend

Three of the 5 girls that got sick are now up getting themselves cleaned up and taking water in without a negative reaction. We still have two guys and two girls that are resting but no throwing up since early am. Praise God!
We have been given a guest house so the recovering team members can rest and take a shower which is a blessing. We also have access to a washer and dryer for their clothes and sleeping bags. Rancho staff has gone to Costco to supply us with basic food needs for the recovering team members and for some extra nutrition supplements for the whole team.
Thank you again for your prayer and support.


Pastor Matt and the Mexico Team

Prayer alert

Since last night we've had 6 students become sick. All of them throwing up. Another church here has had the same thing with 4 students. So it's been a long night for them and leaders. They are all sleeping right now and it seems the worst is behind them. Please pray for quick healing and strength for the team today. Thankfully today is already a day that had no ministry events so lots of rest today.


Pastor Matt and the Mexico Team

Prayer Needed!

This is typically the section of the trip some students start to feel sick. Combine tiredness, hard work and heat and everyone is vulnerable.
Shelby Pitta in particular is in need of Gods touch on her body. Will you pray she can return to full health?


Pastor Matt and the Mexico Team

Friday Night Rancho Service

Every Friday night Rancho has a worship service. The last Friday of the month all the area churches come together. Powerful worship and prayer. About 500-600 people in attendance.





Pastor Matt and the Mexico Team

Orphanage kids

We are currently do a program for the kids who call Rancho home. They have either been abandoned or given up by their families. Most of them have suffered from some form of abuse yet they are full of life and a joy to us and Rancho. Pray for our effectiveness and energy for a long night as we have another ministry service tonight.


Pastor Matt and the Mexico Team

Students of the day

Wednesday and Thursday's student of the day are Teigan Logan and Trevor Bickford. Both of them have been amazing team members. Teigan has demonstrated a true servants heart and Trevor did an amazing job sharing his testimony!





Pastor Matt and the Mexico Team

Student thoughts...

Hi, my name is Devin and today is the fifth day of the trip and it is Friday. So far the trip has changed my life with many great experiences. Thursday we went to the community and did our drama and puppets for the people. After that we prayed for families and children. We prayed in English, but the point was still same, Christ listens to and answers prayer. Today has shown me that hard work pays off because the trench we dug has been completely filled with our Mexi-Crete. The people here are thankful for all of our help but they don't realize that they are blessing us more than they know. God shows us new things everyday and most of it is through the actions and lifestyle of the people. We are blessed more than we realize, but the little things are where we can see God the most.



Pastor Matt and the Mexico Team

Student thoughts...

Hey my name is Aly and I wanted to share about how much God has shown me on this trip. He has taught me about how he really does answer prayers. It's amazing to see how much the Lord is working in everyone's lives! This mission has been so great and I know that He isn't done working in and though us.



Pastor Matt and the Mexico Team

Youth worship at La Roca

Note: apparently this blog didnt post from Wednesday.
This evening we joined a youth worship service open to all the youth in this "colonia" or community. We first went out in groups and prayer for people while inviting them to the service. Rancho also busses in their youth. It's so cool to see our youth and Rancho youth worship together.


Pastor Matt and the Mexico Team

Location:Águilas,Tijuana,Mexico

Good Morning from Rancho

Today brings another day of concrete and digging. It's a little hitter today but not horrible. The group was a little harder to wake up this morning but now that we are at it they are working super hard! Pray for energy and stamina for us today.








Pastor Matt and the Mexico Team

Evangelism Trailer Recap

We had am amazing ministry time in Tecate this evening. We partnered with Pastor Juan and Celia and shared a program of puppets, drama, music, crafts, clowns, games and testimonies by Shelby and Trevor (they both did awesome!!)











Pastor Matt and the Mexico Team

Student Thoughts...

This trip has been Fantastic....PERIOD! The weather is amazing, the work is awesome, and the kids here are such a blast. God has really worked through me on this trip in awesome ways; I have connected with the kids really well, the band performances have gone smoothly( especially with the small amount of practices we've had), and my energy level has stayed high for the hard work we are doing. Please continue to keep us in your prayers:)



Connor Cowan


Pastor Matt and the Mexico Team

Leader Thoughts...

Hey everyone! This is Justin, I'm one of the leaders here on the Mexico trip and I just wanted to give everyone back home some words of encouragement! We are definitely seeing God work in big ways so far. The students are working hard and well together as a team, and I've noticed growth in maturity as we go through our devotions! God is being glorified in so many ways! Thank you all for your prayers!


Pastor Matt and the Mexico Team

Mas concrete!

We knocked out 10 piles of concrete this morning! Everyone is tired but still in great spirits!








Pastor Matt and the Mexico Team

Worship team rocked!

Here's some pictures of our worship tea leading songs to everyone at Rancho...in Spanish! They brought a great heart of worship even though they had to wake up very early and skip breakfast to do it! Great job team!





Pastor Matt and the Mexico Team

Breakfast time!

Everyone is up and at Breakfast except for the worship team. They are leading the songs for our Rancho worship this morning where all of Rancho comes together to start the day.


Pastor Matt and the Mexico Team

Lorelei update

Praise God! Lorelei has a sprain and no tears or other damage. She'll be able to come back to Rancho and continue this week.



Pastor Matt and the Mexico Team

Leader Testimony

Hello this is first timer to Mexico, Mike V. It is an amazing thing to see this trip come together down here. The kids are really pulling together and it is wonderful to see them work so hard all day, both physically at spiritually. I write this from La Roca, an outreach center about a 45 minute dusty ride away. Our group was paired with a couple local folks and we went out in the neighborhood to ask people to a night service. We prayed and Mario wrote down what God lay on our hearts.... We ended up in the courtyard of a nearby home, laying hands on a young boy. It was wonderful modeling to see our Mexican brothers and sisters leap into action and act in the moment, trusting God.
We are also enjoying the fellowship at all times...I appreciate waking up to Disney music in the morning and that Pastor Matt has a plethora of other music at his fingertips, including some 1970's Jesus music. God is providing strength and opportunities to all; thank-you for your support and prayers. Know that we are praying for you too.



Pastor Matt and the Mexico Team

Location:Real de Guanajuato,,Mexico

Lorelei update

Lorelei is on her way to San Diego with her dad Tom and my wife Charity. Please pray for a quick trip through the border and a short wait to see a doctor. Once we find out more on her condition we will pass it along. Please continue to pray.

Pastor Matt and the Mexico Team

La Roca

We are currently playing with kids and teens after our program. Tonight we will join the youth for a teen service at La Roca. We have never done this so we are excited to do something new.








Pastor Matt and the Mexico Team

Prayer Alert!!!!

One of our leaders, Lorelei, a college student was playing soccer and damaged her knee. She plays soccer for her college girls team and obviously concerned for her knee. We need all the prayer for her possible as she goes to the states to get it checked out.


Pastor Matt and the Mexico Team

Location:Águilas,Tijuana,Mexico

Heading to La Roca

We are on our way to ministry this afternoon at La Roca, which is a youth center where there is lots of soccer, basketball and other sports played. We'll canvas the neighborhood and invite the locals to come play and then share a program with them. Pray for boldness and energy!



Pastor Matt and the Mexico Team

Tuesday's Student of the Day

Each day we recognize one student that the leaders see modeling to everyone the heart and attitude of Jesus.

Tuesday, Ed Wentz was hard working, selfless and a great example to the group. He also was an amazing clown at our daycare ministry! Way to go Ed!





Pastor Matt and the Mexico Team

Morning work

We finally had the blessing of concrete work this morning along with some painting and ditch digging. The guys are roofing a new building. Everyone did well and the heat isn't bad at all.











Pastor Matt and the Mexico Team

Words from a Leader

Hi folks,

I'm Chris Wilson one of the leaders and on the Con Men team. This is my fourth time to Rancho and every time here is unique. God is at work here and it's a blessing to join Him in His plan for the people of Rancho and the Tiajuana area. Our scripture this week is Eph. 5 which tells us to be imitators of God and I see our kids doing just that. They're working hard, graciously serving each other and the children of Rancho. They're living out their testimony.

This afternoon we'll be serving at El Roca a school and on Wednesdays like a Mexican Ignite. It's a fun time to play soccer, basketball and other games with the local youth. We will have an opportunity to pray with the youth. This is always as much a blessing for us as it is for the youth.

Personally this trip is the highlight of my year. I see God more evident here than most other times. He really has my attention while I'm here and I have to rely on Him for my strength to do the work and more importantly my attitude to be a servant. Obviously all things I should be doing regardless of where I am but here it's admittedly easier. I am blessed to be able to take the lessons I've learned here home with me growing closer to God and seeing Him at work all around me. Eph. 2:10 says "we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." I am so encouraged to know God has already planned the good works we'll do and I get to see it unfold as I walk in obedience and faith.


Pastor Matt and the Mexico Team

Prayer needed!

Yesterday one of our team members, Mallori, recieved news that her nephew Levi had to be born 3 months premature. He's 1.6 pounds.



Obviously this is heavy on her heart and so too on our whole team. Will you please pray for baby Levi that God will continue to hold him in his hands and sustain him. We have a mighty God!

Pastor Matt and the Mexico Team

Daycare pictures

Pastor Matt and the Mexico Team

Daycare Ministry Recap

We had an awesome time with these kids. The language barrier is obvious but not a problem...playing is playing anywhere in the world.
Laurel said that it was "incredible, they loved to play!"

Pastor Matt and the Mexico Team

Daycare Ministry

This afternoon we are with the daycare kids at Rancho. Rancho busses in dozens of kids from all around and provides food, education and a safe place during the day for only $5 a month.
In a little while we will do a program with drama, puppets and crafts.





Pastor Matt and the Mexico Team

Digging Ditches

Our first day of construction brought ditch digging through very hard granite infused Mexican dirt...with a little concrete from previous projects thrown in for fun. The team is working so hard to get this project completed so we can do concrete Wednesday. Rick and the construction guys are busy tiling a roof.
We've been blessed with low 80's weather.








Pastor Matt and the Mexico Team

Breakfast

Everyone woke up early this morning and there's an excitement in the air as we begin our "real" work today.

Breakfast was oatmeal, toast and fruit. A new menu item and very enjoyable by all.


Pastor Matt and the Mexico Team

Team Meeting at Rancho

We arrived around 4:00 at Rancho and settled in before orientation and dinner. After dinner we had our first team meeting at the ampitheater and talked about being an "imitator of God" as Ephesians 5 talks about. Good sharing, worship and prayer.

Looking forward to our first sleep here and tomorrows ministry.





Pastor Matt and the Mexico Team

Location:Mexico

Welcome to Mexico!

We are inside Mexico! Boarder crossing was simple and on we go to Rancho.






From here on out updates will be less frequent due to international charges.


Pastor Matt and the Mexico Team