Day at the park

Welcome to one of my favorite places in Tijuana, El Parque de la Amistad. This is a beautiful park in the eastern part of the city.  I spent some time out there a few weeks ago enjoying the sights of the culture and a warm Tijuana day.  It was a Saturday, so lots of families were out spending the day together,  people playing soccer, and the wonderful aroma of carne asada was in the air.

I really enjoyed the vendors in the park.  Lots of interesting things for sale...

Futbols and toys

Bubbles!

Cotton Candy

School Update...

It has been a good couple of weeks for everyone down here.   We have been helping Dan and Lyndsay Silver get ready to head out for their second recruiting trip.  They will be spending the month of February talking to people in California, Oregon, and Washington State about the school and the upcoming Experience Weeks.  A big task for everyone right now is spreading the word about the Experience Weeks in the month of March,  March 16-20 and March 23-27.  So... if you know of any people that might be interested in coming please join us in spreading the word.  The weeks will include challenging teaching, service opportunities, good fellowship, and time to learn about the culture.  The cost for the week is $100 and that includes lodging and meals.  We are asking the Lord to send many people to the Experience Weeks, so you could join us in that too.  

The lights of Tijuana

I really enjoyed the night sky yesterday, and thought you might too.  Enjoy the beauty of Tijuana and the exceptionally good view we have from the Castillo.

The Border LIghts 

Happy New Year from Tijuana

Happy New Year to you all!  I just returned to Tijuana after a very restful Christmas break.  I was able to visit family and friends in Cannon Beach, and then I made a visit to Yuma, AZ to celebrate Christmas with my mom, sister, and stepdad.  I have included a few photos from Christmas break for you to enjoy.

In theme of the the new year, there are some new things regarding Baja Bible that you should check out.  We have updated our website.  You can now view the new brochure, and find information about our upcoming Baja Bible experience weeks.  We are going to have two one week sessions in March for prospective students, pastors, and other interested individuals, to visit the campus, take a class, and experience life in Tijuana.  The website has details including the dates, cost, and registration information. You can find all of these new items at bajabible.org. 

In the theme of new things, I have been thinking about the new year and how life is filled with constant change.  It is in the midst of newness and change, that I am again reminded of Jesus, and that He is the same yesterday, today and forever.  To me this is good news.  As we enter into the new year, we have a God that goes with us, a God that is constant, and the promise of His love that endures forever.  Again Happy New Year to you all, and welcome to 2009. 

My sister and I visiting December Nights at Balboa Park in San Diego.

I had a surprise waiting for me in Cannon Beach, a welcome home party with a chile pepper pinata!

Time with the Steynor family.  Christopher, me, and Erica.

It snowed at the coast during my visit.  This a photo taken on the way to Manzanita, OR.

Thankful

In just week, it will be time to celebrate Thanksgiving again.   I wanted to share with you one of the things that I am thankful for this year.  Time with my family.  Yes, I moved to Mexico, but I actually moved closer to my mom and sister.  Heather is living in San Diego and my mom is just 2.5 hours away in Yuma, AZ.   I have been able to see my dad twice already, and soon will have one more visit over the Thanksgiving week.  I am thankful for each of them.  They have been very kind and encouraging to me as I transition to this new season of life at Baja Bible School.  Here are a few photos from our recent adventures together.  

A few weeks ago, Dad, Gwen, and I spent a day together in Tijuana.  

It was a cool fall day, so we were all bundled up.

Dad and I at the beach in Tijuana

Mom came over for a day with Heather and I this past weekend. 

 It was a beautiful fall day.  We had a great time.  

Mom and Heather

WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR TODAY?

El Refugio

This is El Refugio, La Casa Para Ancianos.  This is one of the nursing homes found in Tijuana.  Ancianos is the spanish word for elderly.  I like that this one is named "the refuge".  I have been spending Wednesday mornings over there this fall.   Part of my job this year  (as we prepare to open in September), is to become familiar with the city and to establish relationships with local ministries.  Next year the students will be working with local ministries and serving the people of Tijuana.  I hope some will have the opportunity to serve at El Refugio.  

At this point, over 100 ancianos live here.  It is a Christian facility, so I have enjoyed seeing the the presence of Christ's love in a place that can be lonely and often lacking kindness.  The facility was started as there were many older people on the streets with no place to go.  Now they are given shelter, warm meals, and a family.  

Last week I enjoyed watching the ancianos be spoiled.  Lots of groups come through to serve, doing things like shaving, bathing, cutting fingernails and toenails, or simply cleaning the facility.  One of my favorite groups thus far is a group of ladies that are from a local gym.  They are probably just a bit older than me and they come to visit once or twice a month.  This last visit was great as they brought Birria (a shredded beef), warm tortillas, and papaya.  Oh... people were very happy!  In addition to the good food, they brought live music.  So at one point, one of my favorite ancianas, was wheeled up to the singer and just started dancing in her wheelchair.  It was such a sweet sight.  She had a huge grin on her face.

My favorite couple at the Refugio happens to be from China.  They do not speak much Spanish, or English, but frequently talk to the staff, and to me in Chinese.  They are very sweet, and the Senor is such a hard worker.  He was helping the staff with chores this past week.  

A word of wisdom from one of the women at the nursing home.  God is love and nothing will we need.   Just a good reminder that we have a great Father in Heaven who loves us a lot, and He takes care of His kids.  Gracias a Dios!

Meet the Staff

Here we are, in our first official staff photo. I would like to introduce the Baja Bible Family to you.  Starting from the left side:  Dan and Lyndsay Silver, Ryan and Stephanie Sorensen, Kelly Hinz, Addie Horn, Me, Paul Baughn, Andrew Bjorkland, and Oscar.  

One of our staff meeting times.  This happens to be the beginning of Spanish class.  

Sunrise from the Castillo.  Stephanie took a great photo that captures well one of my favorite times of the day.  We have been getting up early to exercise in the morning and it certainly has it perks.  I have missed the beauty of the Oregon Coast, but God has graciously provided beauty of another kind to enjoy in Tijuana.

Baja Bible Staff Retreat

Last week we headed south from Tijuana for our Baja Bible Staff retreat. We visited an area called Laguna Hanson. What a cool place to visit.  In just four hours, we found ourselves in a whole new world from the city that we live in.  We were surrounded by trees, cows grazing in the fields, and the calming silence that comes along with the camping life.  At night, you could see thousands of stars which in itself was an extraordinary site.  During our stay there we spent time as a group getting to know one another better, preparing for the year ahead, and we also did some exploring.  I took a multitude of rock pictures as I have not seen so many interesting rocks in one place before.  Enjoy the sites of Laguna Hanson and another part of Baja California Norte.

This one I am going to call Little Rock 

Steph and I out exploring

Our home at the campground

Other visitors at the lake

I like to call this one Whale Rock

Early morning by the lake

Adventure in the forest

Los banos

Steph, Lyndsay and I out enjoying some rock climbing or as we called it scrambling