Pastoral Team

Wow what a day!  The early mornings and busy days have made their mark and are apparent on each face as we gather for our morning devotional.  The topic was dedication.  We were reminded from Scripture of the care and intentionality that took place at the dedicating of the tabernacle or the tent of meeting.  Along the week this day has been on many of our minds.  The day in which we hand over the key to the families.  A day where we bring the fruits of our labor and offer them as a gift in the dedication of these houses to the Lord.  Our day is frantic with finishing touches, hustling to get those last minutes task done so that we will be ready at 3 o’clock to welcome the families to their new homes.  We meet up at Damazo’s house with his wife and pray for them.  We were able to buy them a table with chairs and a mattress and box spring to sleep on.  Smiles from ear to ear are on many faces especially the overjoyed couple.  We pack up the vans and head up to Ines’s house.  He is there with his wife and four kids peeking into their freshly painted flamingo pink living room.  We pray, hand them the keys and move their table and beds in.  As we leave Ines’s wife is in tears.  What a special moment.  We end the day with Hot Tamales at the Romano’s house.  Everyone has a chance to share a God moment from the week.  It’s refreshing to hear what the Lord has been doing in the hearts of those in the group.  Tomorrow set out early on a day of travel back to New Jersey.   Click here for more pictures.

  Hoy fue perfecto! (Today was perfect) Once again mango and fruitloops were the start to this very complete, fulfilling and glorious day. We are almost at the end of building our houses, trim and last licks of paint will be the finishing touches. Also Today I taped, and taped, and taped every little corner and nook of our house (the Grey team’s house) for the Spackle Masta-Tim to spackle. Today was also accompanied by a very interesting and suspious conspiricay of a large poisonous orange bug. We have learned lessons for the heart, which are only effective when put into motion through the way you live. The pastors- Reynerio, Faustino and  Ricardo gave their testimonies tonight. They shared their hearts, lives, mistakes and their one common goal to bring more to Christ. As I type this the power just went out, but yet it was quiet- surprisingly quiet for Mexico, and I am reminded of the stanza- “ Be Still and know that he is here.” So let me close, take a moment tonight or whatever time it is at home and pray- spend time with your Lord. He wants to spend time with you.  Click here for more pics.

 When you start your day with fresh mango, papaya, and fruit loops and a sturdy handshake greeting from a hermano in Christ you know its going to be a good day. Today we were able to sleep in late- 7:30! Trust me that extra half an hour does wonders. We enjoyed a leisurly breakfast complete with a famous Tim Daniels Nacho Libre chant. Then we all piled into the white- unsuspicious vans and went into the central downtown of Ensenada- about 20 minutes away. The team broke into several groups, and enjoyed the shopping immensely as you can see in the Kodak moments. We returned back to our home base with a few pairs of sunglasses, nacho libre masks, mocha frappicinos from Starbucks, and most importantly I think- a massive sombrero.  We did some building as well, both houses despite small slab problems are almost complete. It is beautiful here, one side of the highway with buildings and the view of the magnificent Pacific Ocean, the other the vast mountains. The contrasts of the landscape, the natural beauty of it reminds me of how awesome our God is.  I do not know how you can be here, see God and not be moved or changed. We have come to realize how God has appointed every hour of this trip, and who has come on our team for a reason. It is so evident from being here how big Gods plan from Ensenada is, and trust me its great. One really moving moment which brings tears to my eyes as I type, is to look into the eyes of the family we are building for seeing their dreams unfolding, and chains of fears being broken. God is Good, Gloria a Dios! Please continue to pray for changed lives on both our team and our brothers here, for continued health, and that we would not hinder Gods work here, and that we would really take time to listen to him. “ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him by the power of the holy spirit Jesus Christ” Romans 15:13 Click here for more pictures. . . 

 The Lord was truly with us today. We were sent out this morning with the motto of Romans 12: we belong to one another. This message seemed to really sink in. The teams really click together. Each step of the way, whether hanging sheetrock, hoisting beams, roofing, painting, taping, cleaning and sorting tools or organizing meals for others, it is amazing to watch God make it come together. Not just amazing. Literally mind blowing. Houses now stand, where these people previously had nothing. Many of us can hardly believe what God is doing through us. Our leaders are incredible, Rick Romano, Tim Daniels and one of the Mexican pastors, Sammy Reyes are truly hand picked by God to be here.I (Pastor Matthew), would like to break precedent and write part of this blog in the first person. Due to a family emergency I will unfortunately be leaving Ensenada tomorrow. God has clearly gone ahead of us, as I will be able to leave with Rick, who had needed to schedule a trip to the states Wednesday. Words cannot express how moved I have been by the love this group has shown to me and my wife, Christiane, in the midst of this. When I received word of trouble at home in New Jersey, right away, while still on site, the entire group gathered around to pray for us. Members of the group shared words of compassion and understanding. God provided an opportunity for me to pour into people’s lives, and for us to be surrounded be our church family and for them to minister to us in a deep way. Our motto for this morning was confirmed a million times over. We are not merely a collective made up of individuals, but one body - intimately and crucially connected to each other.  In fact, we belong to one another. God is so good! We know He is always in control. I am leaving Mexico a changed man.  For more pics click here. 

Today we get off to an early start, most rising by 6:30am to be ready for breakfast at 7. The devotional this morning concerns completing everything we do with a spirit of excellence, diligence, perseverance. And this is how our first day of work on the sites went. Everyone worked together, performing at their best, moving along in high gear, and with no stress. As the project moves forward, we are able to envision more clearly what our finished product will look like. The most flabbergasting thing for those of us who hadn’t done this before was to see the four walls of this house actually go up. What was once a concrete slab on a pretty poorly kept lot, became a house. Everyone’s individual role in it made perfect sense, like the pieces of a puzzle clicking into place. Whether it was helping with measurement, hauling lumber and other materials, priming and painting, each person’s mind, hands, feet - and heart - were part of the picture.  No words can describe the deep feeling of satisfaction in making this happen. At one of the sites, the family for whom the house is being built looks on while we work.  The look of gratitude and happiness on their faces, their shining eyes motivate us to no end. Everyone worked so hard. 20 children show up for VBS! Isn’t God amazing? After a day in the hot sun and necks, arms and noses now with a little more color, the teams look forward to a short, but refreshing trip to the beach. The Pacific! Dinner hits the spot: a traditional Mexican soup with chicken, hominy, onions and lettuce in red broth. Clean up crews are already shifting organically into gear, going about their respective duties as if born to them - and that only after two days! But one thing’s for sure, now we know what it means to work hard, especially physically, for the Lord. Any other kind of work would merely be striving, would be vain. We work in His love, for His glory. And there’s simply no better, or more rewarding feeling in the world.   Click here for more pictures. 

Our first night of sleep in Mexico. Our sleeping quarters are situated near a main drag. The passing cars and trucks rumble through the night. The rooms are hot, some toss and turn, some sleep like logs. Either way, rising, showering and meeting for breakfast again go like clockwork. We pray and enjoy an opulent buffet, the fresh taste of papaya tingles on our palates long after we’ve finished. The agenda for today is to visit some of the churches in the are, built during past trips or other groups. To see the work invested being put to use by our dear friends and their communities is so moving, many are speechless or become watery-eyed. The services are lively, passionate, vibrant. Our Mexican friends greet us with smiles, handshakes, some ask questions. The day grows hot, the dust in the air is starting to make itself known. But everyone is in great spirits. Wanting to feel more, see more. Clean up crews work together to tackle kitchen duty and the like - the spirit of unity and teamwork is powerful. Tim is asked to sing at the services as he was last year, on this he is prepared.  Matthew is also asked to preach at two others. To be able to partner with them in this way immediately creates a deep bond within us. The double blessing of being welcomed in this way is hard to explain. It’s just so wonderful. Many enjoy other sermons in Spanish, even handling the language barrier and grasping the messages, deepening their experience. We are one family. We are one people. We are working to build God’s Kingdom together. The love is amazing! For more pictures Click Below: July 12th July 13th  

It’s been a memorable day! Sitting here at the end of the evening in Ensenada, many in the group are fairly bushed, but in a good way. The sights, sounds, smells and even the tastes were for most a lot to take in. Still, there is a buzz of excitement among us. Considering the fact that most of us rose before 5am, things went noticeably smooth at the beginning of our long travel day; the bus was right on time - praise God! - a clear spirit of unity and cooperation could be felt as everyone pitched in to get us on the road quickly. This smooth, peaceful spirit defined our journey throughout. We were even able to check extra bags at not charge! As we boarded the plane and found our seats, one could almost sense the anticipation of what awaited us. Stepping off the plane from an uneventful and relaxing flight into the cool San Diego airport, the first thing that jumps out are the palm trees and the sailboats on San Diego Harbor. The air is cooler, the light somehow more lucid. “Is it really already 3pm in New Jersey?” Cool feeling to know that our day had only just begun. Rick Romano is on time, arriving in his Expedition towing an impressive new trailer, into which we are able to easily load all our retrieved luggage. Another utterly smooth operation. A quick stop at In-and-Out Burger in National City revives and amuses the group, as this seems to have turned into a tradition. Many church groups from all over crowding the place. So then we cross the border into Mexico, as kids, teens and adults alike are very exited. Much hidden talent emerges as many practice their Spanish by translating signs and sporting their accents. So much fun and the joy of the Lord in our midst. The view along the Pacific coast to the West, passing by rugged, arid terrain to the East is simply spectacular. We arrive, unpack, get settled and convene for a Mexican dinner, which is fantastic - Charbroiled Chicken on Corn Tortillas and Super Salsa. We listen to Rick inform us of Mexican culture and are intent on being Christ-like guests. Thomas Litland leads us in prayer, Rick closes with a moving devotional on service. We feel full, in so many ways. The Spirit of God is in our midst, we can sense His tender, loving hands upon us. 

Well the first service has happened and I must admit that it was quite a surreal experience! A great deal of praying, listening, planning, and hard work by so many and then to see it happening was simply wonderful, and yes, surreal! It was a great day and it was wonderful to welcome many old friends and new.

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Author & speaker Brennan Manning has said that
“the single greatest cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, then walk out the door and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable” More »

so my dad taught at PBbk last week.   he came in a little late because work…and walked in on our group in the middle of worship.  i don’t know what it is about music and this younger generation, but something happens when music starts and songs are directed at God.  right about the 2nd or 3rd song it was like the Holy Spirit came and rested on the students and leaders.  it was overwhelming!! then my dad got up and started teaching on the filling of the holy Spirit. he was awesome.  i was so proud of him:)  but as he concluded and the night ended i couldn’t help but smile.  it wasn’t my dad, or the group, but just the knowledge that God is doing something fresh with our ministry.  the Holy Spirit just laid this content/satisfied Spirit that He  was in control. that was something to smile about~