The day after our third day at the house building site was Sunday, June 9, 2019, so of course we went to church!
Sergio took us to his church, which was an old boxing arena that they call the Arena Church...or that's what Terry calls it.
It was awesome. The worship was especially moving even though I couldn't understand it! The Spirit testified to it.
Some of us had devices with earphones so we could listen to someone else translate the sermon into English. I was near Prae and so picked up enough to have a vague idea what it was about.
This was my favorite song and the one Terry used in the video he made.
After church we went to a nearby taco stand that Dan usually takes groups to when they first enter Tijuana, Tacos El Gordo. But since we had been stranded in California the day we were supposed to come get there, we didn't go. It was fun getting to visit the place Terry had been twice before.
The group from the other side.
They had fresh radishes sitting out everywhere. You dipped it in salt and ate it. Some were rather spicy but I didn't really get the appeal. I suppose I'm not Mexican!
Steven, Prae, Terry, Moses, Quinn, and Jake.
I sat with Lynne, Eric, and Denise.
Noah with Jenna, Cole, and Eli.
Evie with Sarah, Suzanne, and Cade.
Next we went to an outdoor market downtown for our tourist shopping. Dan and Sergio also did their shopping for food and supplies that we would be gifting to the forthcoming ministry visits.
It was nice to have some family time while we walked around. Terry of course loved all the cane sugar Coke bottles. Too bad he didn't have his Coke shirt on.
Evie loved all the unicorns she saw everywhere.
Miniature sombrero.
We bought some ice cream snacks and discovered that Noah and Tori had both chosen chocolate covered bananas.
This marshmallow unicorn was Evie's souvenir.
Here we bought the little boys, Samuel and Ezra, a souvenir, bubble blowers...which have now been destroyed by said littles.
Getting ready to head back to the rendezvous area.
I took this picture of Terry because the photo of the boat guy in the sign above him made us laugh.
Noah in front of the vanilla stand where we bought gifts for our families.
Next we visited the first of three ministries for that day, a nursing home. It was a very glum place, with waste visible in the rooms. I know it was the most difficult thing a lot of people saw on the trip. It was a good reminder for how good we have it here and how we should love others made in the image of God.
We sang several songs for them all and then milled around doing our best to lift spirits by attempting to talk to people and pray for them.
We aren't allowed to post videos of the place so I've tried to be sensitive. This person just really wanted to keep holding my hand.
More happy singing.
Next we visited a refugee camp. You may remember the news about the migrant caravan from Central America that traveled through Mexico in an attempt to gain asylum into the US? These were some of those people that a local church had housed. It was a sad situation.
We sang several songs with them, handed out Spanish tracts, and gave them toothbrushes and toothpaste, all of which were accepted gratefully.
The younger students played soccer with the kids.
Evie.
Terry and Noah played soccer when we were done singing.
Beautiful sunset that evening.
Lastly, we visited the City of Angels orphanage that Sergio had started and Terry had worked with during his last two trips down to Tijuana. The kids were all sleeping so we couldn't do more than drop off the supplies we had bought for them...
...and listen to Sergio's daughter, who manages the orphanage tell us about their work.
Terry said the courtyard was a lot different from his 2015 trip.
Lastly we went to another taco stand for dinner, Tacos El Gloria. We had other plans but since it was so late we had to have tacos again.
I caught Denise being all sweet to Evie and scratching her back. 💟
One final video featuring everyone at the taco stand.
