Merry Christmas Friends and Partners!

Maybe it seems cliché to say, but I can’t believe another year has gone by.  It seems like just yesterday that we planned our holiday travel to end sooner than usual, in order to be sure and not be in the air or out of town for Y2K.  And here it is almost 10 years later!  

I believe that this years activity with VOB, contributed to a fast paced year of  “time flying…having fun”.  And fun it has been!  We have seen so many things progress in the area of collecting food donations and networking with others who have helped provide for so many needs.  Thanks to many friends, local churches and home groups, we are building a community to bring awareness and promote serving our third world neighbors.

We are grateful for the produce company’s who think of the poor before throwing away fruit and vegetables that  don’t move fast enough in the business world.   These make a great treat to many who can’t afford  nutritious food.  Remember I mentioned having fun?  Well you should have been around when we distributed 2200 pounds of watermelon in Mexico one afternoon, right out of the bed of our truck!  

A sudden fire at one of the elderly homes forced 134 residents to be set up in emergency shelter housing in an old drafty dance hall.  But the response from various organizations around Tijuana, brought more attention to these overlooked elderly than they would otherwise have ever known.  This includes the reunion of an elderly man, who was suffering from dementia.  He was reunited with his family, whom he had wandered away from 8 years prior.  His family spotted him on the TV news, and he was quickly welcomed back into their home.  The same thing occurred with 12 other residents whose families were unaware of their current state of need.  It is not uncommon in a large metropolitan and crowded city like Tijuana, for many families to be separated (amidst the chaos) if even only by short distances.  VOB got to deliver a shopping cart full of “Depends” due to a spontaneous and quick donation! (thanks Jay & Facebook)  See last post for photo’s of the fire.  

Our Tuesday night bread distribution outreach has seen attendees nearing 200 at times, proving that hard times are being felt around the world and not just in our own households.  Unfortunately, some challenges with the border officials, as we have reported before, have made it difficult for us to transport the quantity needed to meet the needs.  But we are gaining some favor and the work has not been thwarted!  (continued prayers please!)

Really, there are just too many things to mention in a short Christmas letter.  But we did think that you would be interested to know that this Christmas season, VOB was able to collect over 150 toys for the kids in TJ along with an undetermined amount of clothes for their entire families.  And again this year, winter hats for everyone at the street outreach, which as already mentioned, meant 200 to wrap!   Worth each smile worn on every face!

We appreciate you, our faithful partners, as we end 2009 and begin again in 2010. May your Christmas and New Year bring abundant blessings from Jesus, and hope to your hearts.  Thank YOU!

With much love,  Wayne & Carol

During this “Give thanks” season we wanted to express thanks for the growth VOB has seen in our work in Mexico.  We have seen more people coming to get more bread.  This gives us a greater opportunity to reach those whom the Lord loves. We are continually thankful for the abundance of bread from Panera, and goodies from Starbucks. We are thankful for all those who have prayed for us in the last year; for health and protection, and for all the fruit that has been borne because of these prayers. We are thankful for more people who have come on board with VOB, helping support what is being done for the poor in Mexico. These include our new partnership with Last Days Ministries (we were so blessed by the wonderful article they did on VOB), and for others who have taken interest in VOB both through inquiries, and thru actually coming here to participate with us.   

 We were privileged to host a few friends from Kansas City for several days in October.  They have a wonderful ministry to the poor in KC, and we have experienced the good work they do in that inner city.  Having them visit us here in San Diego was an immense blessing!  We thought you might like to hear from them this month.  Thank you to Lisa, Ray, Bill and Lora  ….for coming to be a part of this thing we do, and for being so encouraging!!!  

“The greatest impact on me ministering Christ in TJ, was simply being there, looking into the peoples’ eyes and seeing the need. The need for food yes, but a deeper need to be really seen and known. The Lord is using you and others Wayne,to form relationships, trust, love, confident prayer and physical food. We can send our money and prayers, as well we should, but there’s nothing like really being there and being open to how Jesus wants us to serve. The need is great, but our God is greater.  Keep running the great race of faith brother.”  

-Bill

“The thing that sticks with me is the need of these people … such a huge need! The face of all the people, sick and well, saved and lost. The Face of Tijuana; that is what sticks with me. You are taking in what they need: JESUS CHRIST.”  -Lora

“In visiting the world of VOB ministries with our trip to Tijuana, I was astonished at how many American Mexican deportees there were . Young men and women in their 20’s who were raised in the U.S., and their bout with the law promptly got them tossed over the border with only the clothes on their backs . It was like watching some kind of sci-fi movie and a horror flick combined . I was thankful and amazed as this ministry set everything aside, to, in some way make the lives of these strangers a little more bearable, with kindness, a little conversation, and some food . Thank you Wayne and Carol for all you do.”     – Lisa & Ray

“I am the Bread of Life”  [John 6:48]

And so, as we come up to another Thanksgiving (hard to believe, isn’t it?), we just wanted to thank YOU for being a part of what we do.  Large or small, every gift helps, and every prayer counts.  We could not do this without YOU….and by the way, we are extending an invitation to each one of you, to come out and be a physical part of Voice of the Bride serving the poor.  It’s not hard to do, especially if you live here in San Diego, you can come go with us anytime.  The rewards far surpass the risks.  You might find yourself blessed beyond what you could possibly believe!  And who wouldn’t be thankful for that!!!   Love, Wayne & Carol