At the end of last week, the nine families that had lost everything in the fire in Lomas del Rubi, community in Tijuana, Mexico, were given the keys to their new homes.  It was such an exciting time for the community – which had families like Alejandra’s who lost all they had in this tragedy.

*The Amor Mission Trip group and the community of Lomas del Rubi listening as the house keys were presented to the families.

The mayor of Tijuana, Carlos Bustamante Anchondo, showed his support of the work Amor is doing by attending the ceremony as the Amor Mission Trip group from the Pacific Northwest handed over the keys to the brand new homes.

* Carlos Bustamante Anchondo, mayor of Tijuana, and Amor’s founder, Scott Congdon, at the house presentations.

These nine families are now moving into their new homes and starting to rebuild what they lost.  To learn more about the fire in Lomas del Rubi, click here.

By T.J. Putman, Field Specialist

In Lomas del Rubi, Alejandra, a single mother, has four children and two grandchildren that live with her.  They are supported by the money her 18 year old son makes working on cars at a body shop.  He makes about $60 a week.

Alejandra had lived in her houses in Lomas del Rubi for 24 years.  She had raised her kids in that house.  So when her house burned down in the fire she truly lost everything.  However, Alejandra says she has felt the presence of God throughout this horrible tragedy and knows he is taking care of her.

When the fire came up the hill, Alejandra was watching her grandkids while her three youngest kids were at school.

Alejandra raced to get her grandkids out of the fire – thankful she only had to lead two of them.  Alejandra says she felt the presence of God as he directed her on where to go to get to safety.

Her church has taken care of her family, helping to provide them with food and clothes.

Alejandra truly saw God’s provision for her when she was contacted by a Pastor on Amor’s Ministry Board.

Her old home, where her kids grew up, was burned to the ground.  But God was providing her with a new sturdy home – a home her grandchildren will now grow up in.

Alejandra looked on with tears two days ago as she saw a group of youth and adults pouring the foundation for her new.  The new home God has given her.

To learn more about the fire that burned Alejandra’s home click here.

At this moment, there are 64 families working, camping and playing together at the 2011 Amor Ministries Family Camp.  At the end of this week, four families in Rosarito will have relief and adequate shelter because of the work of Family Camp.  64 families will return to the U.S. with a better appreciation of what they have and with memories they will never forget.  Our hope is that all the families, both Mexican and American, will be affected by the work, tears, and joy that come with serving together in ways they could not imagine before.

To join the 2012 Amor Ministries Family Camp, check back here soon for information and dates.

For most of the U.S., Memorial Day is a relaxing weekend full of fun and sun.  At Amor, we also enjoy fun and sun this weekend – just without the relaxing part.  Memorial Day at Amor is a busy weekend in Mexico, with a full camp and lots of houses being built.  For us, that is a great weekend.  We have one of our biggest groups coming in this weekend.  We can’t wait to work with them and the other wonderful missionaries who will be celebrating Memorial Day in Mexico!

Most of our groups spent the spring season building homes in Tecate, an area we had not been able to focus on the past few years.  We were so glad to be back in the quiet town that is so filled with charm.  It was exciting to build homes for families who had been waiting for a long time.

Last week, we packed up Tecate camp and began moving all the equipment out to Rosarito.  Just like Tecate, we have not been able to build as much in Rosarito in the past few years.  Rosarito is a beautiful area right on the coast.  It sometimes feels like vacation when we build there in the summer as the ocean breeze keeps you cool and the town has amazing views.

The families in Rosarito have been eagerly waiting for Amor to come build homes for them.  The Pastors on our Mexico Ministry Planning Board have been able to tell the families when they will be receiving homes.  All the camp equipment has been put together in anticipation of the arrival of Amor’s summer groups.  Camp is empty right now and seems rather lonely, but on Saturday it will begin to fill up with tents, laughter and praise.  We can’t wait to see what summer has in store!