No swine flu for us, as we return from an awesome mission trip last Sunday. We work at a men's drug and alcohol rehab center in a poverty-stricken area of town. These 37 men are literally picked up off the streets, generally on Saturday mornings, in downtown Ensenada; after sleeping off a booze or drug-infused Friday night before. Pretty much without hope and at the end of their rope, they are offered a bowl of soup and Jesus. Those who respond are driven to the rehab center.

We drive this same route and it is a very interesting drive because you pass the prison, surrounded by a cemetery, before you come to the rehab center. Pastor Javier tells us the men are offered three choices for their lives at the present rate they are going. Either "encierro,"(prison) "cementerio,"(cemetery) or "Jesus."

Our friends choose the better way. A long, hard road ahead, but with the Holy Spirit, the road to freedom ("libertad")and new life ("nueva vida").

We sense God calls us to this place so these men can experience the joy of working hard together. Sure enough, their life situation instantly changes as they work along side of us, quickly doing the bulk of what we had planned.

We pour a new concrete floor for a kitchen in the front. We dig out the forms and poured concrete steps. We dig out and prepare a ramp for those who are disabled. We leave this for them to finish with materials we leave behind. All this is accomplished out of a dirt hill in the back. This is with no cement mixer; not even a wheelbarrow. A bucket brigade and humans powered by the Holy Spirit. We also brighten the drabness of the unfinished walls, both interior and exterior, with fresh coats of paint. The center was transformed in front of our eyes. We won't forget seeing Albaro, with one arm amputated, painting with his other...

Later, we spend several hours in healing prayer with the men and see tremendous outpourings of the Holy Spirit. When you have nothing but God to rely on, he shows up big time. You just have to be ready.

Missy Andrews, our youth director, once again orchestrates a smooth trip, putting together all the logistics for our time together, and being the head encourager of all. Greg Andrews, her husband and LIFEhouse church council member, does an awesome job overseeing and leading the work projects. The LIFEhouse youth did everything with a willingness and enthusiasm that is contagious to the men. They are an inspiration.

Back at the camp, LIFEhouse continues to serve. Dorothy Pierce, Don Lautenschlager, and Ray Leinhard make sure we are all well fed. As they have done for several years, they cook and serve for LIFEhouse and the other churches who are there with us. The same can be said for Sarah Hankowski and Tommy Andrews who lead all the teaching sessions based on the call of God for our lives. They are very helpful in opening our eyes to the possibility of working for justice and real change in the world.

One person answering God's call and responding under God's power is a transforming dynamic for our world. Many people together, and God uses us to expand his Kingship throughout the world, starting in our own community and moving beyond.

We thank God for all your prayers and support that help to make this trip possible. Gracias hermanos y hermanas.