"Circulo Andante"

A few kids and a few hours

A few hours a week can make a big difference to a handful of kids. Circulo Andante, or Walking Circle, is a reading and math club run by the staff at YWAM Tijuana del Mar. Two afternoons a week they set up in a community and offer brief lessons on the basics - vowels, subtraction, prefixes - in three grade levels to the kids that live there. This ministry was created and is staffed by recent DTS grads (which makes us so proud!). We volunteer with them when our schedule permits.

The community where the Circle has been working for the past six weeks has received many Homes of Hope houses. It provides another connect point for us with the families and kids that were blessed with homes. Here are some recent images from an afternoon together.

Arriving early means a sticker next to your name on the attendance chart



Excited that she could find her own name on the chart


YWAM staff led the house build that gave this girl and her family a home in April. She and her older sister are regular attendees to the Circle.



"There are three rules in the Circle..."




A Canadian teaching Spanish in Mexico to kidnergartners




When you know the answer, you let EVERYONE know!




YWAM staff are great at including parents in the lessons as well




The staff to kid ratio is great




Loving story time




The Circle

For more information about Circulo Andante, or to find out how you can be involved, email Luisa at luisa.seiler@ywamsdb.org

YWAM San Diego/Baja News

Homes of Hope Launches in Jamaica

Homes of Hope, which began in 1990 in Tijuana, has now gone global.

This summer 39 teens from nations ranging from Canada to Dubai, whose parents are members of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO), a global group of business leaders, built three homes for the poor in the Montego Bay area of Jamaica. The Jamaican families receiving the homes have faced many challenges.

One of the recipients, Hyacinth Blackwood, a 37 year-old mother of 6, lived in a 50 year-old 3 room shelter held together with scrap tin and broken beams. The floor was covered over by a piece of tattered linoleum. Since the roof leaked, she put an old rug over the roof’s tarpaulin and deteriorating boards to slow the drips; she kept the clothes dry by piling them in two large covered drums. Recently, while her son was fixing a new hole on the roof, he fell through, further damaging the support beams and making the house even more dangerous. This lent credence to Hyacinth’s fear the roof would someday cave-in on her family. But safety was not her only concern. The dampness of their living conditions aggravated her children’s asthma problems.

Since Hyacinth’s husband is in jail for the next 9 years, (he is allegedly serving time for a crime his brother committed in order to keep the young brother out of jail) she is the sole supporter, cleaning toilets on the weekends. This job barely earns her enough money to feed her children, so she sometimes relies on the mercy of a local food bank but often doesn’t eat to make sure her children get a little more food. She proudly describes how, despite signs of anemia, her children thrive in school. Her hope is that they will stay in school and have a brighter future.

Sean Lambert, founder of Homes of Hope, describes the experience of seeing Hyacinth receive a new home. “I could see the hope fill her heart. She now had a larger house, one with a leak-proof roof, a locking door, and workable windows—one that was structurally safe. Hope for the future is our most powerful weapon against the despair that poverty brings.”

In addition to the house, the family also received two new beds, a new kitchen table with matching chairs, and a new stove and propane tank.

YWAM Jamaica to date has built 6 homes for the poor. They want to expand the number of homes they build each year, working closely with the community leaders and local churches. Because Jamaica is an area at risk for hurricanes, the team added hurricane clips to the roof and trusses to give the house extra strength against hurricane-force winds.


In the last two years the success of HOH has been replicated in other YWAM centers around the world, places like Panama, the Dominican Republic, Brazil, Paraguay, and Jamaica with plans to open programs in Rwanda, the Philippines, and Haiti.

The growth of Homes of Hope internationally is a result of the interest in short-term mission trips and of the rewarding experience in giving a deserving family basic shelter. With Homes of Hope, groups own the project, generating the funds and the team to build the home. The inherent flexibility enables Homes of Hope to adapt to various cultures from around the world through established YWAM bases. What stays the same? The sharing of God’s love by giving a needy family adequate shelter.

When this YPO teen team replaces a house that most of us would consider inhabitable with a new Homes of Hope house, they faithfully follow the call to “spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24). These volunteers do inspire us all.

By Julia Lambert Frericks

A most needed encouragement

A couple weeks ago I had the opportunity to meet a couple of guys from Vancouver, B.C. They were coming to participate in a guest build we had at all three locations. It was designed for individuals to participate without being part of a team. Over the course of a weekend I got to know these two guys (Mike and Luke), and they ended up being one of the biggest encouragements I've had in a long time.

Mike and Luke are both young (30 and 24) professionals in the business world. After hearing more about their daily lives, it began to come clear to me that what they were describing was a life I once wanted. Mike and Luke were both very modest about there status, but it was evident that they not doing too bad for themselves. Mike works for a small network of a Father and his Sons that own a conglomerate of companies including the Vancouver Canucks, and Luke just bought his father's restaurant supply and design business and a couple restaurants that came with it.

One of the night while they were here they took Elizabeth and I out to dinner just to "hang out." Over the course of our conversation, I found myself wishing that I had pursued that path, that I was on my way to a "successful" life. I starting thinking of how I could still attain that vision, how I could be a "self made man." I began to make plans in my head to continue my education, who I could contact, where I would live, and I got so wrapped up in it. I confessed this to my new friends and I got the exact response that I needed. Laying in bed this morning around 5 for some reason the words were resounding in my head, "this is what it's all about." The words are not eloquent, but none the less profound. I know that he wasn't referring to the night, or the restaurant, or the fellowship, but to what I have devoted my life to. With his simple words he edified what I know in my heart but sometimes not in my head. He was saying that "yeah, building a kingdom according to the world's system seems appealing, but building a kingdom for God as he commands us to through his word IS what it's all about."

Being here for almost a year now, and having an active thought life about the future it's easy for me to get off track quickly, to day dream about the "American Dream." It's times like this that enable me keep going with confidence, that remind me of God's promises, that re-ignite my passion for serving "a larger picture." So thank you Mike for reminding me that my world is bigger than trying to attain what I can for MYself, and that God's promise for what I'm doing is larger than anything this world has to offer.

Out of the ordinary

What happens when things change? When God has other things in mind? We normally build houses, but there are no teams to facilitate that normality, what do we do? Well when there are crates, full of thick tarp material lying around the answer is simple…you keep building houses, parts of them at least. This last weekend, with no houses on the schedule, we decided to help families in need anyways. Because God has called us to serve his children here in Mexico, we feel compelled to serve no matter what the conditions are (or aren’t for that matter).

We recently received two semi-permanent tent structures for our base. Apparently we didn’t need all the material, because we have four large cargo containers full of it. Because it’s just sitting there, taking up space we decided to put it to good use. We loaded (and I mean loaded, like dragging on the ground loaded) up one of the fifteen passengers vans and a Pathfinder, and headed for one of the many migrant worker camps. These camps are full of people from all over the northern part of the country that are here in search of a better life, but often find more of the same. Because the farms that these people work at are more or less remote, and the people that work there literally have only what they came with (which usually isn’t money), all of the houses are constructed out of either the cardboard that the produce is shipped in, or scrap pieces of wood. The “houses” are barely even shelter. Since these structures are thrown together with scrap materials, they are often lacking necessary elements of a shelter… like a roof. The conditions are tragic, but a very real reality.

The camp we visited is located just south of Ensenada. It was one of the smaller camps around, and were filled with the usual ramshackle houses. A couple, and their two young children occupied the first house we stopped at. Their house was in very poor condition. The roof was sagging severely, and was most certainly not “weather-proof.” We then went behind the house to the neighbor, whose house was at least as bad if not worse, and provided him with a roof as well. After we were finished with the two houses we had the chance to minister to both houses, and something amazing happened, all of them accepted Christ. The women’s eyes filled with tears, and the presence of God could be felt.

This was the real reason we were there; to share God’s love with people that haven’t received it, and to bring a message of hope through mercy ministry. It is an incredible feeling to be able to provide for someone both spiritually and physically. It is truly a blessing that God has called us here, and has provided tools for us to bring more people into his kingdom. In all, every person that we helped that day came to accept the Lord, about 12 in all.

I love how God works. It’s so funny sometimes. We tend to get stuck in routines, even when it comes to ministry. Just because we can’t build like we normally do, God is bigger than that and wants to bless people anyway. It’s incredible the kinds of things that happen when people are open to hear the voice of God and willing to obey. We serve an amazing God!

Please read

The blog that follows was written by one of my friends here at the base and offers an amazing glimpse into what goes on here and the situation with the local police force. She had the opportunity to build a house with a group of local officers. Please read it... it's good stuff! thanks Amy! B.T.W.... she's from Kansas if there was any confusion :)

Kansas, Policemen, and Several Cups of Coffee

"We are human beings, too. . ."
As I take off the stainless steel lid of a pan of bacon, I observe the group of off-duty cops talking and ribbing each other through the steam. I'm not sure how I'm supposed to handle this building group. They are different from the average family church group. These are officers in the Tijuana police department, immediately associating them with words like toughness, extortion, or corruption in the mind of an average Mexican. I haven't decided what I think about them yet. Fresh in my mind are images of the fully suited out cops with their helmets and automatic weapons standing at the corner directing traffic, the reports I've read on the internet, the comments I've heard, but today in their shorts, T-shirts, and jokes, they don't seem as intimidating. . . maybe. My understanding broadens as the only female, one of bosses, addresses the group before we leave: "Today we are not only cops. We are human beings too. . ."
You can't miss our caravan as we weave through high ways, washboard alleys, and hair raising traffic. A beat up tool van, several shiny squad cars, and a green jeep bringing up the rear are not the most common sight out in the colonias (poor neighborhoods). Between hanging on for dear life as my friend, Hagen, drives and snaps photos at the same time and taking in the ramshackle cardboard homes clinging to the sides of the steep hills that TJ is flung over, I run through the Spanish building vocabulary I've learned. Clavo- nail, techo- roof, madera- wood. All of a sudden, Hagen begins to pray. Impact the hearts of the policemen as they give and the community as they receive. Protect the team, from accidents and those who don't appreciate policemen in the area. Break down barriers between the law and the people. I join him quietly. Once we get to the build site, I get a chance to hear the story of the mother we're building for, and it gives me chills. Her husband was in training to be a police officer a year ago when he died, leaving her with two children to raise on her own. She gets up at six every day to make breakfast for her kids, and works to keep them alive. She and her husband had bought this lot before he died, and she's just moved here about 2 weeks ago. They have no running water or electricity yet, but that's one of her goals. It's no coincidence that these men and woman are building for the widow of a comrade. I also think it's no coincidence that one of the most committed intercessors at the base got put as our photographer.
Over the next several days as I joke with the guys on the paint crew, see the stories in their eyes, watch a few local officers buy soda for those who are building, or notice their Christian captain grab a paintbrush without being asked and begin slapping blue paint on a few offending nails, I conclude a couple things: that people are people- there are good apples and bad apples in every barrel, no matter what society's stereotype is. I don't know what these men do in the dark or under pressure, but I've seen their captain pick up paintbrush faster than a lot of pastors. I felt like a curious object to some and respected by others. That all are affected by the job they do, whether they handle it by joking and partying, by being capable but cold, or by soberly serving. And that the potential that watching a TJ police officer hand a mother the keys to new hope has to obliterate an iron dividing wall- in his heart, in her heart, and in the hearts of the community that watches- is worth a crazy German driver, getting asked out by a creepy teenager, and Spanish tangling my tongue. In fact, it's worth a lot more.
Please pray for the cops in Tijuana- that's a direct request from a captain who's seen a lot of men die this last year. Pray for good men in the police force to be brave in their ability to influence others. Pray for their protection. For their families, who not only worry for their loved ones but often in danger themselves.

Everyday Blessings

8:30. A time normally reserved for a large office desk, the smell of coffee, and morning pastries, people talking in hushed tones, waiting for their boss to start the "morning meeting."
So there we we're, gathered in a circle, with an acoustic guitar, singing out to the God that we love. Our boss leading us in prayer and worship, interceding on behalf of the city of Tijuana, and spending time in the presence of God. As I stood there, singing and praying, looking around at our staff, I was in awe. I starting realizing how blessed I am, how fortunate I am, and how grateful I am to have the life and the job that God has given me. As I began to thank God for all that he has blessed me with, I began to hear the voices of people praying in German, Spanish, and in English. The sound moved me, it touched me, something stirred deep within me. Three languages in the same place all praying, all worshiping the same God. A Mexican and a German reading the same sheet of music so they could sing in the same language, a girl on her knees in a moment with God, and hands raised in praise... This is our morning meeting.
Yes I work at a desk most days. Yes I file papers, I send emails, I enter numbers into accounts, but the work is for Christ. It is work that is serving to further his kingdom and help people in need. Where else can your morning start out like this at work? Where else can I have an hour with God before I start my desk job? I thank God that I get to be a part of this. I am grateful that I have a normal job, but a job that is ABnormal in so many ways. I am also thankful that you all can be a part of this experience. Being with me in prayer and spirit, in encouragement and support, in love. Thank everyone for enabling me to do this work. I pray that God would richly bless your lives as he has blessed mine, and that you would be open to receive what he has for your life. I pray for your continued support, and for God to be evident in your life.
Your friend in Christ,
Nolan C.

How I ended up in YWAM

It started with a desperate call out to God after some trying times. I was in a very lonely and depressed place after a four year relationship had just ended. I was laying face-down on the floor in my room, crying, and I did something I hadn't done in a long time...I prayed. I prayed for God to take my pain away. I prayed that he would heal me, that he would change my life... and guess what? He did! In a HUGE way.
The next day a friend that I hadn't talk to in about a year, called me out of the blue. I told her about the problems I had been having. She asked "can I pray for you," and I agreed. After she prayed for me, something told me to ask her about the "D.T.S." thing that she had done with that "YWAM" place she had gone for a while. I liked what she was saying, so I decided to check it out for myself. After I looked into a couple of places I landed on the San Diego Baja website. I got accepted into the school about three weeks before it started. I needed about 3100 dollars in less than three weeks. This would be my first of many times that I would see God provide in incredible ways. It was if God had been just sitting there, waiting. Waiting for me to call on him so he could carry out his "plan," as if he had everything in place, all the pieces lined up, just waiting to be set into motion.
I had no idea what to do about money, so I asked what any reasonably intelligent person would do...I asked God and my mom. They helped me put together a yard sale with donations from our church and family friends. I know I know a yard sale. Kinda cliche but what else could I do. I prayed that God would bless the yard sale and help me raise the money I needed. I figured that if I came up with the money that that meant I was supposed to go. We planned on starting the yard sale around 7 but at about 6:30 people started showing up. By 7 we had made over $100. At the end of the day the yard sale had made $1100 dollars. I also received matching funds from a Lutheran financial company. $2200 in one day... not too shabby! In the next couple of days I received $900 dollars in the mail from friends and family...exactly 3100 in less than a week. I guess I was supposed to go. So two weeks later I left for what would be my new life with God.

Lecture Phase- D.T.S.

Wow! Where do I even start? D.T.S. was definitely a life changing experience! Six months ago I would never have pictured myself living in Mexico, working as a missionary, and trusting God to provide for my daily needs but here I am, working with YWAM in Tijuana building houses for people in need.

D.T.S. was five months long, three of which were called "lecture phase". There were 19 students that made up our school; 3 Americans, 1 Canadian, and 15 Mexicans. We also had two married couples, one of which had a child named Fabiola...the cutest little Mexican girl i've ever seen! Our school was diverse, and we all grew closer to eachother, learned about our different cultures, and how learned how to comunicate with eachother. In my case it was a little challenging. I knew no Spanish before coming here and my roomates (five mexicans) spoke no English, so communication was difficult at times, but amusing... somewhat like charades :) Definitely something I will not forget.

The lecture phase consisted of 12 weeks each week being a different topic. some of the topics we had were; the father heart of God, biblical world view, evangelism, spiritual warfare, identity in Christ, and hearing the voice of God. We also spent time learning intesessory prayer, a personal relationship with Christ, and doing local ministry.
One of the opportunities we had was a with several local churches doing an event called "Operation Light." This took place during Halloween in which we helped provide an alternative to trick or treating for kids, were we could spread the message of Christ. We performed songs, puppet shows, and dramas, and of course a healthy amount of candy :)
I also had a chance to organize a prayer day in which we went into downtown TJ to the redlight district. We broke up into groups and went into the streets to intercede on behalf of city of Tijuana and for the people of the streets. From this time of intercession, a weekly ministry has sprung up in the same area that we prayed, in which people from our base hand out sweet bread and hot chocolate and pray with prostitutes and homeless people.
As a school we also had a chance to build a house with one our ministries called Homes of Hope (which I now work for). The build was amazing! We were able to physically provide a house for a family that barely had shelter. It was an incredible blessing to be able to provide for someone in that way. The build took two days. When we arrived the first day the foundation and the materials were there waiting for us. We spent some time getting to know the family we were building for, we prayed to start the day, then it was off to the race (or a los caballos) as Abraham, one of our students frequently said. We did all the framing, trusses, and some of the drywall. The second day we finished the roof, exterior and interior painting, drywall, electrical, and trim. At the end of the second day we had a small dedication ceremony for the family in which we shared our experience with them, prayed for them and over the house, then handed over the keys. The joy and grattitude that I saw that day was something that will stick with me for the rest of my life. There's just something about seeing a grown man cry out of grattitude. God is truley great! It's amazing to watch a situation that God has put together, and the love that all involved feel as a result.
It's extremely hard to put into words the personal transformation that takes place in a setting such as this, but I know I can speak for all of us when I say that our lives are forever changed. Even if it's a memory or ends up as a remnant of God's glory none of us will forget this five months that we got to share.
I just want to thank all of you who have/are supporting me through prayer and finance. Thank you for help providing me an experience like this for me, and helping God do his will for my life.