Raining like crazy and 600 are not enough blankets.

Today we go to the Pacific side of the Baja to a small town called Melitón Albañez.  There is an agricultural business located there because of the micro-climate that exists near the Pacific ocean.  There are nearly 1000 acres of greenhouses that produce peppers, cucumbers and tomatoes.  They are now growing strawberries as well.  

About 2000 workers for this business are brought from other places on the mainland of Mexico.  Most that come to work here are very poor and come unprepared for the cold nights experienced here during the winter.

Melitón Albañez, BCS, Mexico

Just one week before we arrived a new group of workers arrived from the state of Guerrero and as reported by Pastor Chuy and his wife Juanita, this group of workers came with less than most who come to work here.

 Guerrero, Mexico

 Preparing end of year celebration meal at Semillas de Fe, the church in Melitón.

Every year the church at Melitón has a end of year celebration and meal.  This year because of the downturn in the economy they were planning just the celebration because they could not afford the meal.  It was very humbling to hear that the people in the church said "no, the Gerig family is coming to celebrate with us and we must have the meal also".  One by one they gave from their meager earnings and had a meal cooking when we arrived.   

Loading the blankets in Melitón.

 Loading the blankets in Melitón.

  Ready to go into the compound.

 The guards opening the gates.

Inside we are driving past acres of new greenhouses being replaced after recent hurricanes. 

 Dustin with an armload preparing to distribute the blankets.

The rain was pouring out of the sky when we arrived.  The management of the compound arraigned a place that was covered and that was able to keep some of the rain out.  Many had already gathered and waited patiently as we unloaded 600 blankets and many clothes for distribution.  

 We became humbled with our responsibility as we gazed at the numbers that gathered for assistance.

Don, Dustin and Brody unpacking more blankets.  How can we have enough?

 This is one of the tickets presented for a blanket.

Prior to our arrival, Pastor Chuy and Juanita working through the Social Worker at the compound identified the ones most in need of blankets and clothes.  They were given these tickets to present at the time of distribution.  
Christian Church Seeds of Faith
Worth one blanket
Sunday December 30 on the court at 12

 One of the blanket recipients.

 Janelle and Zeke with some clothing for distribution.

 Don, Zeke, Dustin, Linda and Jeff.

 Michelle, Don and Zeke.

 Mari, Evan and Avery interacting with many that were waiting.

 Elijah and Grandma giving one of the donated blankets.

 Madalyn exchanging a blanket for a ticket.

 Dusting interacting with one of the recipients.

Madalyn passing on another blanket.


 

 Elijah offering a blanket that was donated.

 Some of the many blankets donated by the Glen Byers family.

 Brody experiencing the joy of giving.

We had several opportunites to talk with the grandchildren about how God uses us in His plans no matter where we are or how minimal the task may seem.  In this example: many donated blankets, others organized blanket drives, others sorted and packed blankets, others loaded packs into the motor home, others transported them, others moved them to Melitón, others helped identify those who would receive them, others distributed them.   

As the blanket drives were taking place, God knew of the need that would be in Melitón of those who had not yet arrived!  He knew of the timing of their arrival just before the blankets would arrive.



We talked to them about always seeking ways to serve God.  No matter how minimal it may seem you are fulfilling God's plan when you seek to serve Him.  

 This woman delighted to trade her ticket for some blankets.

  This woman said she had three small children.

 On the way out of the compound we passed by the clothes washing area.


 

 One of the residents watching from his families 15'x15' home.

 Even though meager living spaces, the company provides satellite TV to the residents.

 Water running in the road and cold as we left the compound.

We returned back to Semillas de Fe church to participate in the end of year celebration.

 

 Children singing and dancing to active music.

Pastor Chuy introducing our family to the church.

 Brody singing Chris Tomlin song "I Will Rise" to the congregation.

 Four oldest grandchildren singing to the congregation.

 Zeke accompanying Chuy. 

 The Church at Melitón.

Evan enjoying new friends and the celebration meal.  It was fun to watch Evan communicate in Spanish with the people in Melitón.

 I am always amazed that no one gets clobbered during the piñata destruction!

 Katie getting quite a reaction.

 Don saying goodbye to Chuy.

 Chuy keeping Jeff at arms length!  

For over 10 years Chuy and Juanita as well as a few other dedicated families from La Paz have been serving the people in Melitón Albañez.  They have full time jobs in La Paz and would still drive the 1 1/2 hours one way to Melitón.  Much of it on washboard dirt roads at least twice a week to serve.  

 Our first visit to Melitón more than 10 years ago.   

These are the youth from Sweet Home Mennonite Church in 2002 praying with Chuy for a church to be established in Melitón.  Dustin was part of this group.