By Stacey Davidson, Year-Long Intern

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to visit Tecate, a city about 30 minutes east of Tijuana. In Tecate, we work with 3 local Pastors that minister in that community.  During the last few years, we have not been able to build many homes in Tecate, but this spring we are excited to be back there again!  And more than that, the Pastors are excited for us to begin building there once again. During this visit to Tecate, I had the opportunity to meet the Flores Cortes family, the grandmother, Maria is the head of the household.

Maria and her family moved to Tecate in 1993 in search of work, like many other families during that time.  She raised her family in Tecate and is now helping to raise her grandchildren while also taking care of her disabled husband.  Maria was living with her daughter and three grandchildren along with her disabled husband in a one-room house until last spring when they received their Amor house.  The two grandparents and three grandchildren were all sleeping in one bed and the kids’ mother, Elizabeth, slept on the couch.  The kids’ father, Miguel, left Elizabeth and their three children for a life of drugs.

Currently, Elizabeth is the only working member of the family.  She is working in a local factory.  Her children, Jose (age 10), Alexis (age 8), and Mariana (age 6) are all in school.

While we talked, Maria began to cry as she explained the huge impact her Amor home has had on her family’s life.

“Before, we were all living in one trailer together,” Maria said.  “Now the children have room to spread out and each of them have a bed.  The children are much calmer, happier, and content in this new house.  It was a huge blessing from God.”

Maria said they are extremely grateful to the Pastor, the church, and God.  They had been wanting a home for awhile but had no money to save for one due to all of the expenses from the children.

All of us at Amor are so thankful to have been able to provide this family a home, we are so thankful for the Amor Mission Trip participants that built this home for the Flores Cortes family.

Maria in front of her Amor home!

If you loved your mission trip with Amor, and want to find a way to serve more with us, consider applying for one of our volunteer programs.

PROJECT BARNABAS

Project Barnabas is our spring volunteer program for individuals 18 and over.  Come for a week or longer and serve a group that has come to build a home in Tecate, Mexico.

For information, contact Mission Services  – 619.662.1200 x6 or  missionservices@amor.org

PROJECT NEXUS

Project Nexus is our summer program for 18 – 25 year olds that runs from May 29 – August 7, 2011.  Spend the summer in a team environment serving our groups in Mexico alongside our Amor Team Members.  For more information please visit our website or contact:

For information, contact Erin Lyde – 619.662.1200 x 128 – erin@amor.org

Project Nexus volunteer, Andrew, hanging out with some neighborhood kids in Mexico.

In the season of giving thanks, all of us at Amor would like to thank all of our supporter (young, old, and in between) for their continued love,  prayers, and financial help!  We are continuously blown away with how God is working in and through each of you – You are touching families in a way that they will never forget.  Thank you for sharing the love of Christ with these families and for caring for them in their time of great need.

It is our hope that you are able to be with your loved ones this Thanksgiving holiday.  Take a moment and thank God for your blessed life and for the ability to give to others.

Thank you!  Happy Thanksgiving!

*Announcement of the 2011 Participant T-Shirt WINNER is coming next week…stay tuned!

I know that we haven’t even made it to Thanksgiving, let alone Christmas.  But it is never too soon to start thinking about the summer, right?!

All of us at Amor want to ask for your help in spreading the word about our Project Nexus program.  Here are the details…

Project Nexus

Description: Project Nexus is a short-term internship (over the summer months) that is designed to provide individuals with a hands-on, get dirty, get involved, ministry experience in a team setting.  Project Nexus participants will experience a summer in full-time ministry with all its joys, heartaches, and challenges while learning from the experiences, training, and teaching of our seasoned ministry team.  Each week, Project Nexus participants will assist the Amor Team with building projects and programs, and serve the groups as well as the churches and families Amor serves in Mexico.  Time off will be spent on team development, cultural experiences, and much needed rest and relaxation.

Dates: May 29, 2011 – August 7, 2011

Participation Fee: $3,000 (All inclusive, except for travel to and from San Diego, CA to beginning and end of the program.  Fee can be fundraised.)

Application: Click to Download

Application Deadline: May 6, 2011 (Doesn’t hurt to get it in earlier…we are accepting applications now!)

More Details: Click to learn more!

Throughout the summer, Project Nexus participants will experience different cultures and values, individual growth, team development, sacrifice, and service while deepening your own philosophy and commitment to world missions.  The Project Nexus team is assembled to create the most productive summer experience.  Diversity, differences in strengths and ability to contribute to the success of the team are valued.

Doesn’t that sound incredible?  We have started creating our 2011 Project Nexus team and would love to have someone from your church!!

For question, you can email Erin, our Integration Specialist, at elyde@amor.org.

Ready, set, spread the word!  (Thank you for your help.)

Exactly a week ago, we closed the virtual doors and stopped accepting design submissions for the 2011 Participant T-shirt.  We received 51 design submissions from 33 very talented artists!

We will be announcing the winner in the next couple of weeks…it is a tough decision, so it is going to take some time.  Stay tuned!

Thank you to all of our designers and those that helped spread the word about the competition!  We truly appreciate your efforts!