Ministries, Baja California, Mexico (December 2022)

While we stayed at the Mission Center, we visited Door of Faith Orphanage (DOFO). It is not exactly orphanage, but a foster care home. It was established in 1959 by American missionaries and has developed into a village. Now, it supports 125 children and youth, including 25 college kids. They are served through the hands of 35 Mexican staff and six expatriate volunteers. All expenses are supported by donors.

Emily, an American volunteer from Fresno California, showed us around. After 63 years since the founding, the mission is still being carried out strong. The compound was clean and well organized. It had dorms, cafeteria, a bakery shop, a gym, a barber shop, a clinic, and a gift shop. 

We also visited a medical clinic called Siloe. It was started 14 years ago and the current facility was funded by six Canadian churches, but most operating expenses are supported by the U.S. donors. The facility was so clean and of high quality that I felt I was at one of the clinics in the U.S.

On Saturday, December 10, it was the ministry day. Approximately 30 members of CMC came down in a few vans and they served hamburgers, made balloon arts, provided medical and dental services, and manicure services. Approximately 250 people came to eat hamburgers, far more than the CMC people anticipated. The worship service also had almost 150 people and Pastor Sam Pang delivered the message. Kristin helped the patients with measuring their blood pressure and other vital signs.

While the clinic was under way, all others gathered at the church first for worship. Pastor Sam Pang delivered a Christmas message. The church was packed with people.

After the worship service, the Mission Center yard was filled with people who wanted to receive various services such as balloon arts, manicure services and meals.

The biggest event was serving hamburgers for almost 250 people. It was a massive task involving so many people. But, the people outnumbered the hamburgers. They ended up cutting some hamburgers in half so that no one will go hungry. The church people ended up eating tacos. 

The church brought down a backpack filled with books and other school supplies for school children.

 

It was short, but sweet to spend a week at the mission center. I appreciated the hospitality of Pastor Pang couple and Missionary Kang's couple. 

On the way back, Missionary Kang gave us a ride to San Diego Airport. But, the border crossing took about 90 minutes of waiting in line. It was said to be unusually long. But, our situation was far better than the church people. Apparently, each vehicle purchased medical pass that normally takes about an hour to cross the border. This time, it took them six hours to cross the border. We could have received a ride from them. If we did, we would have missed the redeye flight that departed at 10:30 PM. 

Later, my wife and I applied to enroll for Global Entry that will help shorten the processing time not only at the Mexican border but also for all entries into the U.S. from any country. - Jeffrey