Happy New Year friends! And wow what a busy first 2 weeks it has been already. I (Wayne), just returned from a west coast visit. I officiated Gabriel’s wedding to his lovely bride, Roxanne. Gabriel, you will recall, assisted me for several years with the compassion arm of VOB, serving Mexico. He came across our path as a young man of 19, somewhat newly saved and dedicated to serving the Lord. Now, fast forward, he has a couple of semesters remaining, before earning his Mechanical Engineering degree from Berkeley University, in Northern California. Gabriel, much like a son to Carol and I, we were more than honored to officiate their union in Christ. It was a wonderful ceremony, and is always a blessing to witness. One of my favorite things (an advantage as the minister standing with the groom), is seeing the grooms face, as he first lays eyes on his bride. You can’t help but imagine how much greater Christ, our Groom, delights over His bride, the church.
After a few days of pre-wedding preparations, and the wedding itself, I took the train down the coast of California, to the border, for some time planned to spend with our team in Tijuana, Mexico. If you are following the terrible devastation of wild fires in the Los Angeles area, you would know that I just missed such peril, traveling through the Southern California area. The train route goes right through Malibu and Palisades. After living in San Diego for so many years, we experienced a couple of wildfires brought on by the dry Santa Ana season threats but nothing as severe.
After spending some time with my partner collecting and sorting donated food (a familiar pastime and one that Greg continues to do like the Energizer bunny), I couldn’t wait to cross the border again. I do love the land and people of Mexico!! I got to visit most of the families (not all pictured) we continue to support, including spending a significant amount of time with Pedro, whom we continue to mentor in his ministry. He has a heart to reach his peers and encourage them to make Jesus the center of their lives. We love his heart of compassion and his heart for worship. It is really important for us to keep a lifeline connection to the ones we support each month – our Tijuana missionaries. I am always inspired by their dedication to the Lord no matter their hardships and living circumstances. Thanks to your support, we are able to help shoulder the burden a bit.
The US Mexico border wall has been a topic again in recent days. We thought you would be curious to see it from a Tijuana Colonia (neighborhood) perspective.
If you have been giving to this ministry, we just mailed out tax deductible receipts. If you have not received yours by the end of the month please contact us and we are happy to send you a pdf copy.
We cannot convey how grateful we are for your support. As explained last month, we have had a significant drop in our monthly support. We understand that for some, it may not be clear enough, after our move, that we are still very much continuing our work in Tijuana. Our stepping away from all the physical aspect only signifies our original goal (18 years prior) to raise up locals, and help them help their own communities. A mission accomplished. But a mission that we need your support to carry on seamlessly.
Be sure and check in with Carol on when and how to join her for weekly online worship and prayer times with our fellow worship friends on Global Tabernacle of David!
Voice Of the Bride Ministries... 