Newsletters

*Ramon had a contagious smile. In this photo he was amused when I told him he would not be welcome in Carol’s family home wearing this random donated t-shirt.*

We dedicate this months newsletter in memory of our friend Ramon Escamilla. He was separated by his family in the US for years due to deportation. But he quickly became part of our ministry family. He was our translator, mechanic advisor, and most of all, our good friend. He is and will be greatly missed!

Hello everyone, this is Gabriel Fajardo. I am excited to have the privilege to write this month’s VOB Newsletter. Working for Wayne and Carol has taught me so much over the last year, and I would like to share with you some of my experiences that I’ve had.

First I must say that Wayne is an amazing man of God, and I am so fortunate to be able to work alongside him. His dedication and heart for the people of Tijuana, has inspired and encouraged me to strive for more, and grow in my walk with God. Watching him serve has taught me to be selfless, committed, and joyous in the midst of struggles. I’m sure you know that we have been facing a lot of resistance with Mexican customs, and through it all, Wayne and Carol have trusted and known that God would provide a way for us to continue the mission, and He has. My faith has grown so much from seeing the miracles that He works every time we go to Tijuana. It is incredible. As a matter of fact, just last Friday, the 17th, we were told that we could no longer cross through the East Otay Border with donations. We would have to travel west to the San Ysidro crossing and then back east where we meet our partners. It seemed like another swing at us because of all the extra driving and traffic, but we managed to get the import fee back to 100 pesos again. Praise God! That’s a quarter of what we’ve been paying the last six months. And hopefully it will stay that way. Many people would have given up or gotten discouraged, maybe even felt like God wasn’t there. But not Wayne! He simply trusted that God had it under control.

In January of 2015, I went to Mexico for the first time in my life to do ministry work with some guys (Wayne & Greg) I met through my buddies at church. They told me they go to Mexico to serve the poor, and asked if I wanted to go. I thought of all the hassles and dangers there could be, and what might happen to me and I didn’t really want to go.

But when I got there I was greeted by some of the nicest people I’ve ever met. Vicente and his family, whom you’ve heard so much about, were so kind. I immediately forgot about all my worries. We met some families in a neighborhood called “Buenavista” (good view), and we gave them a basketful of bread, fruits, and veggies. They were so thankful and happy. I felt like I was actually serving the Lord and doing His will. Then I got to “Postal”, the neighborhood where we pass out bread and fruit to about 200 people. I was blown away that all these people were lined up at 10 o’clock at night, waiting for a bag of bread. I had never seen such a thing. They were just waiting patiently, not fussing or getting angry. We gave everyone a bag and filled it, one after the other. It was amazing to see all these people with smiling faces. I was able to pray for some people that were waiting in line. One guy I remember very well. His name was Ricardo. I prayed for him that night and every Tuesday for a couple months afterwards.

13227795_1080361922059323_2816644860120040417_o Some of the people there I have known now for a year and a half. A woman named Carolina, is there every Tuesday so she can take food home to her son, daughter and granddaughter. Her husband took his own life a couple years ago, due to hardships, so it is up to her to provide for her family. There are always lots of little kids waiting for some food. They love to play soccer, or get on my shoulders and have me spin them around until they get dizzy. I tell them to listen to their parents, and do well in school. Giving them a piece of chocolate, is like giving them an Xbox! They get so ecstatic. 13235179_1080361842059331_859977049467695123_o

There are also many men who work hard for twelve hours, and get paid what we make in one hour, then they come to our outreach because they need the food to make it through the week. I shake their hand and humbly welcome them, because I can see in their eyes the hardships they live through.

This ministry has changed so many peoples lives, including mine. I truly believe that we are getting a little closer to God every day, because of the miracles He works through Wayne and Carol. It comforts me that these people, all children of God, go to bed with a little more in their bellies because of what we get to do as the hands of Jesus.

I pray in my heart that we are making a difference in these peoples’ lives. I pray that they know how much Yahweh loves them, and that He sent His son to die for us on that cross. I pray that their lives are transformed to proclaim the glory of God, and all His goodness.

Gabriel has been on staff with VOB for nearly a year and was volunteering for several months before that. He assists Wayne daily with food pick ups and deliveries to Mexico. He also runs the whole operation when Wayne is able to get away for some needed R&R. We are so grateful and delighted with his amazing contribution to the VOB team. Your generous monthly support helps make that possible. Thank you!

This morning, I stumbled upon an article on Facebook, about a missionary couple in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Dr. William and Clara Leslie spent 17 years laboring among the Yansi people, as well as other local villages, in the Vanga region, only to return home discouraged and downtrodden. The American Baptist Missionary Union couple had seen very little fruit for all their years of labor. The beautiful part of the story, however, is that 100 years on, there are thriving churches all throughout the area, with hundreds of believers, a medical missionary hospital, and a legacy of many others who have lived and ministered to the people of that area for decades!

Even though Dr. Leslie & Clara returned to the U.S., thinking they had done very little, today many of the people who live in that jungle area, know and serve the Lord!! Many of the comments on the article, were from people who were born at Vanga hospital, whose parents were missionaries there over the years, or who, themselves, served the people of the area. The legacy is quite amazing. (If you are interested in the story, google Dr. William Leslie & Vanga mission).

When I finished reading the story, I was encouraged to share it with you, because, like Dr. Leslie & his wife, Clara, many of us who are serving the Lord, get discouraged. We labor on and on for years, often seeing very little fruit. There are moments where we wonder, “Is it really worth it?” “Can I keep going on?” In all honesty, we’ve had those thoughts. But reading the story of Dr. Leslie, and how the Lord truly used the work he and Clara did, brought real encouragement to my heart. It just so happens, that I’m also reading in Hebrews, about the “great cloud of witnesses“. I am reminded that there are many who have gone before us, who did not see the promise of their faithfulness either. They had to wait to get to Heaven before they saw THE Promise! But they continued on, not giving up. Many have been persecuted & have died for their faith. In many parts of the world, just owning up to being a Christian, is cause for a death sentence. And yet, regardless of where we live, there are just days where it’s not easy to stand strong in the Lord. Especially when we feel like we are groping about in the dark.

And so, in reading a story about a man & woman who did their best for many years, but maybe never even knew the outcome, I’m encouraged to go on, standing for the Lord Jesus, in all that He has called us to do. I’d like to encourage you to do the same. Be strong in who the Lord has made you to be & keep going!! Don’t give up!! Even if you don’t see fruit, the Lord is using you. And as a side-note, maybe send a word of encouragement to a few missionaries you know! You’d be surprised at how it can uplift someone who may be in great need of hopeful words. It might make the difference between a very dark day, and a day full of joy & encouragement.

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author & perfecter of faith, Who, for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, & has sat down at the right hand of the throne of GOD.” Hebrews. 12:1-2

Thanks for standing with us, as we labor in the harvest fields! You are a part of our team!

13177943_10154136605743890_8235359050619174295_n — Doubling on a bike ride (something we both probably have not done since we were much smaller), after watching the start and finish of the Amgen Tour of California cycling event. Carol got to see some of her favorite professional cyclists.

GOD bless you!! Love Wayne & Carol

p.s. Border Update: We still wait for our normal operations to resume. We are allowed to bring food across but it is still being handled as cargo verses donations. Thus, we are paying full tariff fees for importing “cargo”. It has been a daunting, and expensive process, but God has been faithful and provided all along the way, including the provision for getting Greg’s truck back and all infraction fees paid in full! Gracias a Dios!