Les and Val Klassen

Maribel & Salustiano

Maribel & Salustiano live at the end of a community called Nueva Era.  Their view is wide open spaces,  looking across to strawberry fields at the base of the hill.  They are the first to see the sunrise as it peeks over the hill and baths their community in light and warmth.

About a year ago, we met them and their 4 young children while following up on Solicitudes in their community.  We were drawn to their genuine concern for others in their community who in their minds, needed a house more than themselves.  Our friendship with them developed over this last year, and on one particular visit, Maribel asked us if we "pray to God".  Not only do we pray, but we believe God hears, and we believe in the power of prayer.  They took us to their friend's place a couple of blocks away.  Solomon lay on his bed, a victim of a vicious attack that left him basically paralyzed on one side, and unable to speak because of head trauma from his beating.  He was like a stroke victim, a young man in his early twenties, confined to his bed, needing help for all the necessities of life.  We spent some time praying for him and this created a further bond between us and Maribel & Salustiano.

Two weeks ago, a group from Colwood, Vancouver Island, BC came and built Maribel & Salustiano a beautiful home.  We were able to be part of the project for the entire week.  What an awesome week!

We attached the new house to the little old one, and so they now have a very spacious  home ... 665 sq. ft in total.  We gave the old one a face lift and painted the entire place.  Salustiano learned some new skills and was always looking for ways to be involved.  The house had to be modified slightly from the regular plan because we were attaching it to the old one (and nothing is ever square, and that brought it's own set of challenges) but the group "stepped up to the plate" and completed a very well done home.

Both Maribel & Salustiano took the week off work so they could be around for the entire time.  Some cool relationships were made between Salustiano and some of the guys from Colwood as he worked alongside with his new tool belt and learned a few key English phrases ... "Good morning ... How are you, my friend ... Thank you very much ... It's good, my friend" ... etc.   Three times, Maribel made food for the group.  What a treat!  It's amazing what can be made with a little cilantro, salsa, guacamole and tortillas. At the dedication of the home she made special "carne asada" ... thinly sliced beef ... BBQ's with salsa, guacamole and frijoles (that's free-ho-les) ... that's like beans ... in fact, it is beans.  It was sooo good!  Almost makes you kinda hungry, eh?

The real highlight at the dedication was when our friend and fellow missionary, Ed (who speaks fluent Spanish), gave a short talk and illustration to them about the love of God and the gift of eternal life through His Son Jesus Christ.  It was with very emotional tears that we listened to them pray a simple prayer, accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour that afternoon of the dedication.  It was very interesting to note that after that moment, Maribel opened up her heart to Val that afternoon and shared some real personal stuff with her.  Then this week when we returned to visit on Tuesday evening, Salustiano shared some personal stuff with us that they haven't even told other people.  All of a sudden, we've become "safe" to confide in.  We are honored that God would allow us to be a part of their lives.

We now know that God had a plan to establish a relationship between Himself and this young couple.   We are so humbled that He would even consider using us in the process.  While the house is a nice feature, it is only a tool to help introduce people to Jesus Christ, by demonstrating His love to them in a practical, tangible way.  It is never used to manipulate or coerce people into something spiritual ... and sometimes a new house is just that ... a new house for a family, but it is so exciting when you see people's hearts soften to God through a gift of His love.  This is so evidenced as we go back to visit, and the conversation is no longer just about the project, but it's about real stuff ... heart stuff ... life stuff.  And the relationship moves to a deeper and more significant level.  Please keep them in your prayers as they grown in their own relationship with our Heavenly Father.

They were further blessed by a women's group from the Clearbrook MB Church, in Abbotsford, BC.  Les' mom is a part of this group and they were looking for a special project.  When they heard we were building for Maribel & Salustiano, they raised $400 to put towards furnishing their home.  We were able to buy a stove, a loveseat, an easy chair and a beautiful real wood dining set for them.  Maribel & Salustiano were  overwhelmed with the generosity that comes from people who don't even know them ... people who may not even realize that these gifts are things that they would never be able to purchase for themselves ... ever!   Thank you Clearbrook MB women and thank you, Colwood Pentecostal Church for your generous hearts!

By the way ... Solomon, their friend ... he's now walking with the aid of a walker, putting on some weight and beginning to talk again.  A true miracle!

We have published a photo album of our week spent with Maribel & Salustiano.  Please check it out to the left.

They came from Medicine Hat ...

They came from Medicine Hat, Alberta this week.  40 of them.  Air conditioned coach.  Air ride suspension.  Multiple T.V.'s overhead.  Reclining seats.  Tinted windows.  On-board washroom.  Luggage.  Sleeping bags.  And tools, lots of tools.

Leaving the highway, they enter a non-paved subdivision.  The roads are so dry, the dirt pushes in front of the wheels like dry snow.  And the dust is so thick, the only thing visible is the windshield and front end of the bus.  The rest is consumed in a blanket of swirling brown ... dust so thick it runs down the back of the bus like sheets of rain, piling up on the bumper like little piles of snow.  Dust and dirt that will stick like glue to anyone the second they step out of this air conditioned sanctuary.

What they don't know is that they will look as brown as the surrounding terrain by the end of the first day.  Wind and dust, in places they never knew they had places ... ears, eyes, teeth, every joint in your body, even under all your clothes ... dust so fine you can blow it off your arms.

But they came with something else.  They came with smiles.  And they came with attitudes that said, "We're ready ... let's go ... let's build.  We're ready for what this week has to offer".  And so they went.  And they built ... 440 sq. ft ... 3 bedrooms and a common room.  Four windows, exterior door, whirlybird roof vent, 4 beds, 4 mattresses, new outhouse, and matching new bath house.  Doesn't get much better than that.  A dream house, by any imagination.  Turning any street into a street of dreams.

And others come from all over the place to see what's happening.  This activity.  This large group.  Turning this street into a street of dreams ... even though the street has only one new dream house.   To see someone's old dilapidated camper shell replaced by a palace, complete with concrete floor.  And a real roof.  One that doesn't blow away in the wind ... or leak when it rains, forcing the family to huddle in one corner.  Windows that open and close ... with screens to keep the bigger bugs out.  And maybe, just maybe they will be able to have electricity tonight for the first time ... lights with pull strings ... and a place to plug in that old cassette player.

"How can I get one?"  "Will you come build one for me?"  "I'm living with my son and his family in his small house ... can you build me a room so I can have some space for myself?"  "I've been waiting for a house for 3 years, when will you come?"  "I put in 3 applications already .. how long does it take?"  "I gave my application to someone last week .. are you coming soon?"  "How can I get my application to you if you're not here tomorrow?"  "My brother's coming from Oaxaca with his family to live with us ... we need more room."  "I can't afford to build anything ... there's no work for me right now ... can you help me?"  "My mother needs a house more than I do ... can you help her ... she has diabetes."

As you stare at the ground trying to think of the appropriate answers, you notice the well worn shoes they wear.  Shoes that take them everywhere ... to the market ... to the fields.  Shoes that take them to church.  Shoes that have brought them to you.  And you think to yourself "They really need new shoes".  But it is not shoes they are asking for.  It's houses.  Places of shelter ... places of safety ... places of sanctuary.

And in the background, you hear the hammers banging, the saws cutting, voices calling out to each other, and laughter ringing through the air.  Behind you is an enthusiasm generated by the project ... before you are brown eyes begging for help ... help that they seem to think you are capable of giving.  And in that brief second, you are reminded of the 1000 applications already sitting on your desk.  The only question forming in your mind is, "How do I tell them there isn't a chance in the world of helping them in the next 3 years?  How do I break it to them gently?"

Somehow, they have figured out that you are the one who makes the decisions as to who gets a house, and who doesn't.  And so their questions persist.  And sometimes their inquiries are accompanied by a bag of tomatoes, or a bag of cucumbers, or a wrist bracelet that they have woven - especially for you - because you are the one who is there to receive it that day.

"No" doesn't seem to be part of their vocabulary, at least not a part of their understanding.  So "No" only means "Let's try again tomorrow", because tomorrow is yesterday's today, and maybe, just maybe, today is the day when the answer will be "Yes".

You turn to the only One who can really answer these questions for you, because He's the only one who really sees the big picture.  And as you ask Him to give you His heart in these matters, these hard decisions you are called on to make, these life impacting decisions that give people the opportunity to receive a gift of a house ... or to have to wait indefinitely for one ... you are reminded of what He has already said to you.  One day, one person, one prayer at a time.

Suddenly, you're drawn back to what is happening behind you.  The scene has changed.  The house has been completed ... tools have been put away ... and people have gathered around the family receiving this new home.  There are expressions of thanks.  There are smiles on many faces as the impact of what has been accomplished in just a few days begins to sink into peoples hearts and minds.  And there are tears ... tears because when this group came down to Mexico, they had no idea how much their little bit of generosity would mean to someone else ... someone they had never met before ... and someone they may never see again.  But their gift will live on.

And at the end of the day, as they climb back onto their bus, they are oblivious to the plush surroundings ... the air conditioning, the overhead T.V.'s, the smooth ride the big diesel coach has to offer ... because their thoughts are no longer on themselves.  They are thinking of the family they are leaving behind.  A family that impacted their own lives.  A family who gave to them, out of their poverty, a simple meal as an expression of their overwhelming thanks.

There's a stillness on the bus as it pulls away from the site that has been a busy project these last few days.  There's a stillness, because everyone is turning to look out at that which has been accomplished in such a short period of time.  And as every eye stares out from inside the bus, even the large tinted windows cannot dim the reflection of the sun as it glistens on the tears running down the faces of the dear Mexican couple standing with their children in front of their dream home.  Tears that say "We will be forever grateful to you".

The stillness gives way to realization ... realization that says "Today, you made a difference.  Today you changed someone's world ... at virtually no cost to yourself.  Today, you were a part of God's grand design because He allowed you to play out His heart ... by being His hands and His feet.

And today ... you have been changed.

Recent Projects

Three building projects have been completed since we have been here.

An 11' x 22' house (called a single) built for an elderly man who was living in a shed on his brother's property.  Rueben watched in amazement as his house went up in a single day -- built by a group from San Diego.  During the dedication and presentation of the home to him, he asked us to pray for him - that God would heal him of his heart condition and diabetic problems.  It was a moving time as we gathered around him for prayer.  He was so thankful for his demonstration of love in providing him with a home and several new furnishings purchased by the group from a local "Segunda" (second hand store).

A group of 24 came from the Fraser Valley (under the leadership of "His Hands and Feet Ministries") last week and built 2 homes.  The group was split to build the 2 homes within the week.  Afternoons were busy with children's programs held in Pastor Armando's church in the community of Benito Garcia.  Les and our son James helped build this church last October when they came with the "His Hands and Feet Ministries" group last year.

One home they built was an 11' x 22' two room house build for a grandparent couple.  They had allowed each of their children to build homes on their own property; so 21 people lived on this property including 15 grandchildren.  Each family lives in a cardboard / plywood combination style house.  The grandparent's home was the worst - sacks and cardboard.  But they had not asked for a new home.  The children got together and insisted that before any of them got a new home, their parents needed a new home first.  The family blessed the total group with a meal once and the smaller group that worked on their house, was fed two more times.  It's very humbling to come to the work site and see two chickens hanging on the fence, freshly killed in preparation for a lunch you know will be prepared for you.  Makes you want to just go out and buy them a whole new flock of birds.  Sharing meals like this is a huge sacrifice for these families as one 2 litre bottle of coke is 1/4 of their total days wages.

The crew put in some extras for them - wired for lighting, built some furniture including a bed frame for their bed, a kitchen counter with the propane cookstove set in, plus numerous other little convenience items.

At the dedication, prayer, and key presentation service, the grandparents wept as we sang a couple of songs for them ( one was even in Spanish) and brought them a compliment of groceries.  Words cannot describe the joy and the humilty that one feels after completing a project like this - realizing without our help, they would have never gotten a home like this.  All week long they were thanking God for bringing us to them.

The other home was a 22' x 22 (double) built for a family of 5.  This three room house included two  bedrooms (one for the parents and one for the three girls) and a larger kitchen / living area.  The bathroom is an outhouse (we dug the 9' hole) and the shower is another building identical to the outhouse with a slatted floor for the water to drain away.  The water source is a pail you bring with you for sponge bathing.

Starting with only a bare dirt lot, a completed bright blue house with white trim was the blessing we gave to this family after 4 days work.  The mother, one of her daughters and a couple of friends helped paint the house.  The day of the dedication, we helped them move from their old place 3 miles away.  What an improvement for them!

As we sang and prayed a blessing for them, the group was again deeply moved by having the opportunity to provide shelter and comfort for yet another family.  As one man said to Mattie - the mother - "I am honoured to have been able to build a house for you", tears on the faces of the other workers reflected the significance of his words.  Mattie broke down in tears as we brought in a compliment of groceries.  Words could not express her gratitude.  Unfortunatley, her husband, Rafael, and oldest daughter, Mira, were not around during the build.

Val and I were among the last ones to leave the house, and when we did, we received deep felt hugs that go way beyond words.  We know we impacted the family with the blessing of God.  Pray for us as we continue to connect with Rafael, Mattie, Mira, Monica and Miriam.  We look forward to visiting with them.