Peoria Nazarene Church

We thank God for a smooth trip and a great day! We spent some time in San Diego to have lunch at Chick-Fil-A and then we headed to Ensenada. We are excited about this week and we would appreciate it if you could pray for this mission trip as we serve God in Ensenada, Baja California! Stay tuned to learn more about how God is moving this week through our team and as we serve the community and local church. 

Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.

John 6:68-69

Today, we went to a park near the local church to clean it up. We picked up trash to clear the area and swept the basketball court, which had become muddy due to the rain in the past few days. We also cleaned the soccer field. It was very rewarding to see everything clean, and we were able to enjoy playing there afterward.

Today, we had a wonderful Sunday service and had the opportunity to lead some worship songs, including one in Spanish! It was amazing to realize that we are praising the same God, making it a memorable experience to sing together in both English and Spanish.

After the service, we shared lunch with the church members.

Today, we visited two families and gave them a food basket. They aren't Christians yet, but Pastor Roberto and some church members have been visiting them over the past few weeks. We've witnessed the great need they have—not just for food, but for Jesus above all. They are heartbroken, but we know the one who can heal them—Jesus.

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭34‬:‭18‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Today's lesson was about finding joy in any circumstance. This woman is an example of strength, faith, and joy. We all face difficult moments, and sometimes we wonder, "Why me?" However, once those challenges pass, we can become living proof of the power of God.

Heavenly Father,

We come before You today lifting up our pastor. Lord, we ask that You surround him with Your peace and strength, renewing his spirit and heart for the work You have called him to. Fill him with Your vision, clarity, and wisdom as he leads with courage and faith. Empower him to stand firm in Your truth, to speak boldly Your Word, and to serve with joy and humility.

Encourage him, Lord, when the weight of the calling feels heavy. Let him feel Your presence and know that he is not alone in this journey. Revive his soul with Your love and remind him that the seeds he plants will bear fruit in Your perfect timing.

We pray for his protection, both physically and spiritually. Guard his heart, his mind, and his family, and grant him strength to continue running the race with endurance. Let Your Holy Spirit fill him, guide him, and refresh him, giving him the passion and drive to lead Your people toward the future You have prepared.

In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Our VBS was a blast today! We shared the story of David and Goliath, teaching the kids that God calls them and sees their hearts. We had a ton of fun playing, acting out the story, crafting, and dancing together!

What a great start to the day! We went to one of the communities in Ensenada with the most need. There, we visited a family that Pastor Roberto and some church members have been visiting and inviting them to church. Even though there were lots of visible needs, Topacio's mom knew that the greatest need for her and her family is GOD. She shared her family's story and how she encountered God. She also opened up with us about some of her daily struggles when trying to live a life that honors God. We encouraged her, shared Bible verses and she even asked us to pray over her family's houses in the community! God is good and His mercies are new every morning.

Today's lesson reminds us that God chose ordinary people to do amazing things. No matter who you are or where you come from, God has a purpose for you and has called us to be His disciples and share the good news.

Today, we went to get the groceries for the food baskets, and it was so much faster than the last couple of days since our team already remembered what to get and where everything was. We had fun getting our groceries for the last time! 

The first stone has already been laid, and we trust that one day, when we return, the building will be completed. We will be able to praise God together once again in this new place.

Once again, we can see that we’re the ones who are truly blessed on this trip. Every day, we get to experience people’s hospitality in so many different ways.

Today, we prayed for Lupita and her family. She’s a member of the church, super brave and hardworking, and she’s on the home visitation team. She was the one guiding us on the visits. On top of that, Lupita gave us a pair of earrings that she made herself. Such a sweet gesture, and it’s a little memento we’ll always cherish.

We finally visited La Bufadora, a marine geyser (blowhole), and it was quite a spectacle. The roar as the water enters the cave, followed by the splash that forms a rainbow, was incredible. What a privilege to witness such a marvelous creation of God.

One of the cool things we got to do today was to go to the beach. Mukiza couldn't resist the desire to get in and so he did (even though the water was cold!). We had a good time there walking around, admiring God's creation, and resting. 

We had one last night of prayer during the women's service, where we were able to pray for families, children, young people, leaders, the economy of Ensenada, and for Israel.

We believe that prayer is powerful!