Week three is coming to a close with only a day and a half left for Broadway. They have been here since Sunday putting up a double house and participating in church and community outreaches. I just got back from their job site and I can report that the house is almost done. It’s painted a lovely mint green with a typically bright blue and orange interior. Everyone in the group is eagerly pitching in to complete all the finishing touches, such as painting the trim and building shelves. Justin, Jordan, and I managed to sneak away for an hour or two in the morning to check out some of the desert landscape that surrounds the site at Fransisco Villa. We climbed a large hill and found ourselves at the top of the ridge that overlooks the whole valley. What a spectacular view! It certainly looked much bigger from up there than from the main road, and there is much more to it that I originally assumed. Today is Roberto’s birthday. There will be cake and lots of balloons with supper tonight. Huzzah!

We had an excellent group this week. All the Southview group members were helpful, joyful, and full of laughter. They had an excellent VBS program that they carried out in two of the local churches and they also build a house for one of OLOC’s pastors. Last night I had the opportunity of trying some excellent Mexican cuisine known as “California Hotdogs”. This little treat consists of a hot dog wrapped in bacon covered in beans, mayo, mustard, ketchup, hot sauce, onions, and whatever else your mind can dream up. It was surprisingly good, but one was definitely all I could handle. One of the youth in the group managed to eat six, which must have left him with an exceedingly full stomach later on! I filmed a few interviews last night with some of the group, and I’ll see about posting them as soon as I have it all edited. That’s all for now!

This week we have Southview Alliance Church down for the Mexican experience. So far they have started their single house build and have started a VBS program at a local church with Pastor Ellie. Today there was a bit of competition in the neighbourhood as there was a group of clowns driving around inviting the children to a fair complete with live music and rides that was free for the entire day. Despite this, we still managed to attract a crowd with skits, crafts, and watermelon. While the group was doing some of their skits, I was able to sneak away with Pastor Ellie and Maria to film an interview for the website. Ellie is 24 years old and the pastor of a small church in a poor community. She is quite gracious and full of energy and it is clear that she has a passion for the people of her community. She asks for prayer for the families in her church as there are quite a few broken families who need financial and spiritual healing. That’s it for now!

It’s been almost a week here at Los Olivos, and things are certainly passing by at a fast pace. I am sitting in the kitchen right now enjoying a break from the hot afternoon sun. This is the last day for all the groups, so they have scattered off to do some sightseeing/last minute errands, and the base is surprisingly quiet. This week I have done an eclectic assortment of jobs. Everything from cleaning bathrooms to standing on a ladder in the hot sun for 30 minutes filming Yarrow’s house dedication. Some of the tasks have been a bit difficult, but I have yet to meet a challenge that I have not enjoyed conquering. Next week is going to be different than this one as we have a smaller group coming in. It should be interesting to contrast the two weeks.

I’m back for another 6 weeks of the One Life Mexican Experience. I am excited to begin working hard. So far, I’ve done the exciting job of sorting through all the pictures and video that I took during spring break and labelling them. Next up I’ll be helping with a few meal preps and taking more pictures and video with the ultimate goal of updating the promo material for OL. More to come as more happens!

I’m here in Mexico at the One Life One Chance base for a few weeks. We just had four groups come through last week. MEI, Kelowna Christian School, Sherwood Park, and Cascade Christian. The week was a bit crazy, as it began with a big rainstorm and no power for two days. Thankfully, the general attitude of the campsite was one of graciousness, and there were no major crises after that.