Bienvenidos a Mexico

Ruta de Vino, Baja California Norte

We made our way through the rocky hills of central southern California to the border crossing at Tecate, and then through verdant vineyards for 80 miles to the Pacific port city of Ensenada.  From Ensenada, we traveled another 100 miles south to a place I now call home…the small town of Colonia Vicente Guerrero.

Ensenada, Mexico

An invitation from son Owen's fellow student at Christ for the Nations Institute led Owen and me to a week of volunteer work at an orphanage in Vicente Guerrero, and me, to a longer commitment in this community.  Here, in the mid-1960s, a woman from southern California had a vision and bought land to start a mission which has evolved into a flourishing, broad-reaching work (see ffhm.org, the website of Foundation for His Ministry).

"Home for Children" in Colonia Vicente Guerrero, Mexico

Owen helps build staff housing during his volunteer week

Journal Entry:  February 25, 2015

"God doesn't want to waste your time," said my new friend-in-the-faith Kate. I'd just told her of the furnished two-bedroom apartment found at the end of a short morning's drive around the sandy, unpaved streets of Vicente Guerrero. My guides along the way were friendly Mexican women, easy to approach as they worked in their yards. Their leads were not directly fruitful...one place was unfurnished; a couple others occupied. But then, after treating myself to brunch in a main street restaurant, I felt an urge to enter a nearby appliance repair shop, where I shared my need (in Spanish) with the young female clerk. A man who'd been testing a wood-cutting machine turned to me and said, in perfect English, "The owner of the pharmacy three doors down rents apartments."

Kate and I share a first meal in my new home

son Owen in my sala

New Beginnings home for women and their children

Pharmacist/medical doctor Victor Hugo Cruz took me to see the available side of the duplex where he lives with his wife Pilar and ten-year old daughter. Their home is on a quiet side street eight blocks from the orphanage where I've been volunteering, along with Owen, Kate, and Kate's 34 teammates from an Orange County, California church. I've come to know some of the mission staff and long-term volunteers and will enjoy continuing fellowship with them at the mission church.  Other essential locations (grocery store, market, and ATM machine) are within easy walking distance. I'll get a bicycle and find the best way to the Pacific Ocean, three miles to the west!

Dorothy Greatrex (center) with women at New Beginnings

A visit to New Beginnings (newbeginningsbaja.org), a home for women who need support, affirmed my sense of call to work in this community. I'd learned of Canadian Dorothy Greatrex's work before coming to Mexico, but our first contact was today.


Dorothy and I shared our experiences and journeys and recognized each other as kindred spirits.  As Dorothy spoke of both struggles and miracles among the women, I thought of my own recent struggles, and sensed anew the promise of a miracle that will bring my husband and me together again. The timing is known to God, while I get on with work He has for me here.

the orphanage garden is a lovely place to pray