Food Security Mexico Project #16359

Food and basic needs for the poor.

by Voice Of the Bride Ministries

Project Report | Feb 15, 2019
A Story of Many

By J. Wayne Kiger-Rice | Founder/Director/Project leader

Many have a story that they just want to tell.

“I don’t think I am going to go with you to the rehab just yet. I feel like it is an important thing and should not be taken lightly.” This is what Eduardo said as he approached me at in the food line. The rest of my team had gathered around a few guys who were ready to try to get off drugs. I asked Eduardo what he thought “being ready” would look like. “Well, for starters,” he said, “I need to know that I am not going to load, like I plan to do later.”

Eduardo is a heroin user. He went on to explain that he “loads” 2-3 times a day, and had already used twice so far today. He was sure that he would need the third dose. As I continued to encourage him that today is probably his day to get free, he shared the rest of his story with me.

He was brought to the U.S. by his parents, before he turned 2 years old. After a lifetime of living in Orange County, he was discovered as a non-resident, and was deported a year ago. When he was first deported, he had a very hard time understanding what was happening to him. He went through culture shock, desperation, agony being separated from his family, and ultimate hopelessness. All symptoms that I have heard shared hundreds of times now in our daily work. But Eduardo said that eventually he came to terms with it, and realized he needed to make Tijuana his new home, and accept the fact that he would never be able to return to life as he knew it. Very few make it to this critical point of embracing the new life. He got a job, even got involved in serving at a local church. He said that it really helped to take his mind off of his situation, by being busy and helping others. However, recently he lost his job, and eventually his living quarters, and all the hopelessness, loneliness, and fear returned. He decided to use drugs one night, to escape his pain. The false comfort of the chemicals set in and lured him deeper and deeper.

I explained to Eduardo that it does not get easier to take the step toward freedom. That it would get harder, and today was just as good as any day that he might want to set aside. He seemed to think that he should have his life in order first before making a commitment. I hoped that I was able to convince him that it was just the opposite. That he did not have to have a job, a place to live, nor be concerned that he was planning to load. God can handle all that!

Throughout our remaining time there that day as we shared food with the many, I continued to tell Eduardo, “Today is your day!” He also shared that he did have an eye opener, earlier in the day, which proved there is no guarantee as to how long he or anyone may have. A man (actually an American drug seeker) died from an over dose right there near the border. Eduardo was there when he was discovered.

It seemed obvious that God was tugging at his heart. He did not decide to go with us, but did take information on how to reach us if he decides he was ready to go to the rehab. I hope I see him again.

While I was talking with Eduardo, another young man, Memo, came up to me with a note, and asked if I would call his family when I returned to the States. He had written down his family members’s name, phone #, and then a list of clothing items that he needed. Particularly, dress clothes so that he could interview for work. He had also clipped a newspaper sales ad of a set of tools that he needed, so that he could work if he got a job. As I drove away with his note, I could not help but think about how for Memo, and so many others, life really is just one day at a time, clinging to some good news that might come along. I thought, he has no real idea if I will place that call for him. Or if he would see me again the next week. Or if he can even trust that I can help get the items he needs. He really has placed his “message in a bottle”.

Eduardo adjusts to a new life on a different side.

A note from "Memo"

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Nov 21, 2018
Unwrapped gifts...

By J. Wayne Kiger-Rice | Director/Founder/Project Leader

Pedro with his "new to him" guitar!

One of the things we love about what we get to do, is to take what someone no longer wants, and give it to someone else who is in need. We never cease to be amazed at just how perfect it works out.

Recently, a friend wrote us, asking if anyone in Mexico could use a nebulizer. My first response was, “maybe - what is it?” We thought for sure, one of the infirmaries could use it for a person with asthma. So we took it down to TJ, and asked around. One of our associates found the perfect home! The man in photo below, had been praying for this very machine, which I had never heard of.

On the other hand, our young friend Pedro, in Tijuana (with the guitar in the photo above), had recently mentioned that if we ever came across a guitar he might could afford to buy, to please let him know. I put the word out on Facebook, and right away, one of my friends had a guitar he had been thinking of finding a new home for.

These exchanges made for 4 satisfied households, with each person equally blessed - to give and to receive!

We are so blessed with resources in our country. I am sure you have heard the expression “one persons junk, may be another person’s treasure”. We just don’t realize how something discarded by one, could make another happy. Take a look at these kid’s faces (below), and their joyful play time with some toys we found, thrown in a dumpster outside a church daycare.

Often, at Christmas, we have families who like to have their children give away some of their toys in order to make room for new toys. It is a good opportunity to teach them to share from their abundance. We are never to young to learn to give. We are also never too old to learn a good lesson! Once, while spending time in the Philippines, I watched a little boy play with a truck with no wheels. He had the best time and did not let the lack of wheels hinder his imagination, nor entertainment. However, when I got back to the US, I went shopping for a new truck to send back to the little boy in the Philippines. I was sure he needed a NEW truck WITH wheels. As I began shopping, I started picking out trucks of various colors. I had decided he needed one of every color. Thankfully before I got out of the store, I caught myself and realized I was about to make a very common mistake with my “first world” mindset: New and an abundance was better! Why? Why was that better? How could that little boy have enjoyed himself any more than I had already observed? I did still send him one new truck. And my bet is he shared his truck with no wheels with another kid, because he knew it was a treasure.

What kind of things might you have to pass along this holiday season?

Prayers answered for a Nebulizer machine.

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Aug 24, 2018
Sponsorships to change destiny

By J. Wayne Kiger-Rice | Project Leader & VOB Founder/Director

Jasmine's cap and gown photo.

Last report we told you about Jasmine. We have been bringing food to her family for 10 years. Her family quickly became one of our special adopted families. Jasmine has just graduated from high school. We have shared before, concerning her father, who was murdered in a store robbery at his workplace, a few years ago. This life changing event, spurred Jasmine to want to study to be a criminologist. We were so blessed to be there to celebrate her graduation this month, on such a special life accomplishment. It is more common for boys to quit school in Tijuana, but it is difficult for many families to persevere with expenses concerning school costs. Jasmine persevered, with your help, and now would very much like to go on to college--again, something very difficult for young people in the poor communities we serve. She will start college this Fall. Her registration has been paid, thanks to VOB supporters, but we will need to begin her monthly tuition next month. Your joined sponsorship can help keep Jasmine in school, as we have made a 3 year commitment to see her get her degree.

The second young woman whom VOB is supporting, is Angie, one of our Tijuana ministry partner’s daughter. Angie, having just graduated from high school, wanted to go on to Nursing school. This past year, she has been waiting for a space to open up at the school she desired to go to. Angie went to work right away after she graduated high school, and has saved up this year for her future living expenses, once she starts school. VOB has paid for her registration, and will start her monthly tuition in September. We are looking for sponsors to help us carry this need. A young person in Tijuana, going on to college, will have infinitely more opportunities in life, to succeed, than a child who either doesn’t finish grade school, or has only a high school education. Learning a trade, like nursing, will truly be a GODsend for Angie, for the rest of her life. We have shared before about Angie having had cancer as a child. This gave her the vision to want to go on to be a nurse, helping others in the way she was helped when she was a child. Your sponsorship, can help Angie fulfill this dream, and have a better life. This will be a 3 year commitment as well.

Just knowing the difference these 2 young women are going to make in their communities makes it all worth it. Life in Mexico is a daily struggle. Their tuition is more affordable with the American dollar than you may realize. ANY amount you can help with each month will help us. Being able to support these two young women, following their progress over the years, is something we know has eternal blessings. We look forward to reporting on their progress along the way.

p.s. we inlcuded a photo of Wayne at Antonio's graduation. We shared last report how he returned to school after quitting for a couple years and graduated high school at 21 proud as ever! And we couldn't be more proud of him!

Angie's cap and gown photo.

Angie in her new nurse student uniform.

Wayne with Antonio at his graduation.

Wayne with Jasmine at her graduation.

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