The last three months, keeping families together has meant God's provision is coming in the form of mission teams!Many hands mean more projects, more love and more souls in the Kingdom!This month we have had 12 mission teams, between both campuses, come to serve the Open Arms communities and families. It has been amazing to see so many talents, outreaches, construction projects and services happening in such a short amount of time. God is doing amazing things through those He has called!
The team from Redemption Hill (Whittier, CA) joined the Open Arms Church in Camalu and visited families with food boxes, shared with the daycare parents for the monthly parent training, preached the Gospel to the teens through an event with Alto Voltaje, joined the Men's Group, cooked them dinner, and so much more! We were so blessed to have them. B2Live (Novato, CA) brought down two different mission teams this month to serve. They worked hard and put the finishing touches inside the house we are building for our on-site Psychologist. We couldn't do it without their continued support and many hands to help! The Hill Church (Vallejo, CA) worked hard on our playground, started the soccer field and put the final touches on the entrance to the daycare in Camalu. The team cooked dinner for our youth on Friday night and rented a mechanical bull to bring some joy and fun for the 80 youth that attend our youth group. Such a hard working team! Thank you! Redeemer's Church (Oregon) came to the La Mision campus and had a Game Camp with the daycare kids! In addition, they painted our toddler room and kitchen, and did SO much work on the house we are building for our Psychologist. Because of their hard work, the house build is almost finished! North Bay Christ the King (WA) joined us in Camalu with an awesome VBS for the daycare kids and worked hard on framing the storage building as well as the entrance to the facility. They also helped us with a worship night at church, where 9 people gave their lives to Jesus, and handed out food and prayer in the community! Such an amazing night! We are so grateful for teams who give their all, and love so well. The Petersen Family brought framily and friends from Arroyo Grande, CA to Camalu. With a background in construction, they were able to frame the much needed storage building and temporary group housing. (Bunk houses/dorms for the mission teams will be our projects for 2018, but until then, the second floor of this building will be for the teams who come serve, and then will be converted into a duplex for future staff. ) The team also gave 40 food boxes to those in need and led the kids in fun activities! Church of Christ (International Mission Team), had their annual VBS in La Mision. Every year they put so much thought and love into the kids program that the daycare kiddos are always asking when they are coming back! They are VBS gurus!!! They also bless the families with a beach day, where parents get to play with their kids, eat hot dogs, dance and sing together. They are such a blessing each and every year, and love how their relationship has grown with the kids with their consistency. Crystal Heisel, from New Life Church in Alamo, CA, came with a small women's team to join IVN in La Mision and Open Arms Church in Camalu. The team hosted a special women's service in La Mision with over 80 women in attendance and spent quality time ministering and blessing our pastors. They then headed to Camalu to preach the Sunday service, and speak into the lives of the leaders and staff. We are so blessed to have them part of our team, and couldn't do all we do without their support. The youth from Destiny Church (Rocklin, CA) came to La Mision and helped with our annual swim classes, had special afternoon game days, worked on our house building project and hosted our weekly Kids Church Service. We couldn't do it without all these amazing churches who partner with us! We are truly blessed! The Refuge Church (Arizona) joined us in Camalu for a week! They helped us with a Camalu home build for one of our daycare families. Hugo, Cris, Celso and Eliseo now have a brand new home! With the help, of this missions team, our men's ministry and youth ministry from Open Arms Church a family's dream is coming true. They also did a great VBS for our kids and taught them to worship God through songs, crafts and Bible stories. The Crandell Family (Santa Cruz, CA) made the long trip to BOTH campuses! In La Mision, Norm and Kerri (both chiropractors) were able to treat our entire staff. In Camalu, our staff and the children were treated. The Crandell's also brought huge batch of giant bubbles, launching rockets and Oobleck. Our staff needed some TLC after a long summer and the kids are still enjoying the activities they left. Thank you Norm, Kerri, Henry & Forrest! Monique Hernandez went to high school with OA Founder, Heidi Elizarraraz. After staying in contact in recent years, Monique decided she wanted to see all God has done in Heidi's life and through OA. Her and her family brought a huge amount of donations for the families we serve, did face painting, arts & crafts and served as judges for our Superhero and Princess Day! They were also able to be a part of a home dedication for our Mexican Director and her husband. It was very special to see the past come into the present to celebrate what God is doing. 2018 calendar is already filling up. Schedule your missions team ASAP! You can make a difference in the lives of so many when you come alongside of us to serve. For more info please contact info@openarmsmexico.org.
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