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Final Day

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Monday morning dawned bright and early. It was our final full day in Ensenada, Mexico. To celebrate our time together Randy and Sandy were planning to take us to a special hot sands beach called Agua Caliente Beach.  Located between Ensenada and La Bufadora, it is a special beach where hot spring water bubbles up through the sand.  During low tide you can dig down in the sand to find hot water to mix with the cool ocean water to create your very own Jacuzzi, a truly unique experience.   We spent the morning getting organized and packing sandwiches for everyone as the many of the girls at El Refugio were coming with as well. When we arrived at the beach the tide hadn’t receded quite far enough back, so we continued on to La Bufadora where water splashed up through the rocks creating a blowhole effect. Built all around it were tiny colourful tourist shops where you could buy all types of souvenirs, blankets, candy and food. After touring this area, and making a few purchases, we climbed
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God is faithful

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Sunday morning dawned bright and early and before we were yet fully awake there was a rap at the dormitory door. Apparently there had been a confusion over the time change as when we googled it last night it had said Mexico’s time change wasn’t till the beginning of April, but we now find out that since Ensenada is so close to the US border they decided to follow the North American time change! Quick as a flash we jump out of bed and get dressed and head downstairs for breakfast.  When we are all ready for church we load up in a few vehicles and make the 45 minute drive.   The church is quaint and cozy.  It is also bi-lingual so we are greeted in both Spanish and English. The singing is a beautiful mixture of the two languages and the sermon is translated from English into Spanish. Jason is asked to share an update on Ukraine and we take time to pray together in small groups. The younger kids get to participate in Sunday school which they really enjoy.   For lunch we have tacos. We hav
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Senior's Center and Youth Group

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I wake up to a blue sky and birds chirping. Breakfast this morning is tortilla chips and beans and fruit.   Since we don’t have to leave for the senior centre till shortly after 10:00 a.m. we take the kids to the beach to play for a little while. They wave jump and build sand castles and channels. At 10:15 we are back at the mission compound loading the vehicles full of supplies. Then we begin our trek over the bumpy roads till we arrive at the senior centre. There we greet them and visit with them. We sing songs together and then we split up into groups to do games and crafts, serve lunch, clean and fold laundry. The senior people are happy to see us and watch us, and enjoy participating in the painting craft as well. Once we are finally back at the mission we have another hour of free time so we make a quick trip to the beach. Then it’s time to get ready for the youth group that is planning to arrive soon. We work on preparing sausages and hot dogs and French fries with all kinds of
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Another full day

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“Mom, it’s time to wake up.” A small pajama clad figure is standing in front of me. I stretch and climb out of bed and then pull the small square cloth away from the window. It’s another beautiful sunny day!   After Bible reading and prayer we enjoy a breakfast of French toast, oatmeal and fruit. Then Jayden and I head out next door to groom the therapy horses while the rest of our group walks with the kids to a nearby beach.    Once the horses have been thoroughly brushed and cleaned they are saddled up and we take them out for exercise.    The dunes nearby are beautiful and full of both sand patches and vegetation with bright colourful flowers. It’s absolutely breathtakingly beautiful1 Then we let them trot on the beach and in the waves.  We can’t stay out too long as we need to be back at the mission by 10:00 a.m. to help load all the supplies and food for the Women’s rehab centre that we hope to visit today.    Once everything is loaded up we head out in two vehicles and reach the
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Another Busy Day

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The sun is already peaking through the small window as I struggle to open my eyes. Reaching for my eye drops I put in a few drops and blink. That’s better! Breakfast is in fifteen minutes so we’d better get cracking! I check on the boys and since they are already awake I urge them to get dressed and brush their teeth so they can make it downstairs on time. I rush through my morning routine but still am not quite ready when the breakfast bell begins to clang. Taking my Bible with me I make my way down the multiple stairways and narrow corridors to the cafeteria. Sliding into my seat I open my Bible and together with our hosts and the girls who live at the mission we take turns reading verses together in Spanish and English. Then we pray for the new day. Today’s breakfast consists of oatmeal, tortillas with egg, sausages and cooked vegetables, fresh fruit and toast with peanut butter and jam. Lots of great options! They are sure spoiling us here!    After breakfast we take some time to l
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Arrived in Mexico

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It's dark and early when I wake up. Feeling disoriented at the unfamiliar surroundings it takes a few seconds to remember where we are. I check the time and since it's still before 6:00 a.m. I fall back asleep. We all wake up two hours later. The boys are excited to try out the free breakfast the hotel offers and to take a quick dip in the small outdoor pool before Randy, our host arrives at 10:30 a.m.. to pick us up.  With a short stop for lunch we make the drive to the border. Once we have our visa's figured out we cross into Ensenada, Mexico. The difference between California and Mexico is instantly noticeable. Everything looks more barren and less developed. The types of houses and stores are also very different. There's so much to see it's hard to soak it all in.  We finally stop in an area where there is large markets. We wait for Randy's wife who comes with a van full of the girls who live at their mission compound. We then break up into teams to buy a va
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On our way to Ensenada Mexico!

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The anticipation in the air is tangible as we make our way to the Vancouver Airport. For most of us it's been over two years since we've travelled anywhere. Our youngest doesn't even remember how big the airliners actually are. The kids love every part of it; the high-rises in the city, the skytrain to the airport, the indoor playground at the airport and all the restaurants and shop.  When we're finally 35,000 feet up the sun has set and the stars are visible. Every now and then we catch glimpses of twinkling city lights far, far below us. The flight to San Diego is only just over two hours, and before long the airplane wheels smack the runway and we bump our way to a waiting gate. The airports so far have been very quiet and it doesn't take long till we are waiting outside, enjoying the slightly warmer temperatures and the pretty palm trees.   We catch a shuttle to our hotel and since it's quite late now we all soon drift to sleep. Tomorrow will be the day we
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