We did it!
Well… it happened!! After about two years of talking about it and inviting people to jump on board with a fun story, inspired by me turning 40, it finally happened!!
The image you see above is the home that myself, my family and 15 other friends from Welland had the opportunity to build for the Lopez-Reyes family of Tijuana, Mexico!
We’ve been back in Canada for a few weeks now and we’re settling back into routines, especially with back-to-school happening today. Even though things can feel fairly “same ol’,” we’re so grateful for the story we got to walk in over the last season. It was such a gift to be able to invite so many people from so many different seasons of my life to contribute to such a cool story.
I’ve been thinking a little bit about “crazy ideas.”
During the trip someone on my team thanked me for telling them about my “crazy idea.” I had no idea what could come of this, but about a year before turning 40, I had this crazy idea… “what if I invite people to give towards building a Homes of Hope house.” That was it. I didn’t have a master-plan in place. I didn’t even really have a strategy - other than call/text/DM/email anyone I could think of and invite them to give a lot or a little.
Well, now, on the other side of it, how cool is it that I get to see how that crazy idea came to life? Not only did it come to life, it changed lives!!
That’s how I started this thing. I changed the header on this website to big bold writing
DO YOU WANT TO CHANGE A LIFE?
I can assure you, lives were changed! Friends, you heard my invitation, and you stepped in!
And lives were changed.
The Lopez-Reyes family’s life was changed. Having a more suitable dwelling to call home will impact their lives for years and years to come.
Many of those who travelled with me had never experienced a trip like this and were able to articulate with extreme clarity the ways they had seen this experience change their lives.
My family, my boys. Even though this wasn’t our first experience like this, we were able to see Jesus move in the lives of people in super encouraging ways. My boys got to see a “crazy idea” come to life and impact many. I can assure you they are inspired and I can’t wait to see what happens when they trust Jesus with “crazy ideas” and walk boldly and confidently into uncertainty!
So again, I want to say a huge thank you to those who supported this whole experience! As we passed the keys to the home around and saw the Lopez-Reyes family walk through their front door for the first time I was overwhelmed! Overwhelmed by the emotion of the moment. But also overwhelmed as I thought about how many people were a part of making that happen! There were 20 of us from Welland standing in the circle, having just spent two days painting, cutting, hammering, roofing, etc… At the same time though, I could feel there were WAY MORE than 20 of us! There were literally dozens of you, friends and family from all sorts of places and seasons of my life, who heard me ask, “do you want to change a life with me?” And you answered with a resounding YES!
Thank you for saying YES! Thank you for being a part of the story!
My heart and my prayer for you is that you will continue to say YES!
That you will say YES to the “crazy ideas” that you have!
That you will say YES to opportunities in your life today to be an encouragement, a blessing, a friend, a helper, a life-changer to the people around you.
I’m so glad you said YES!
With so many of you saying YES, we were able to build a home for the Lopez-Reyes family, supply them with a furniture package, sink cabinet and other cabinets and extra bed (all which are constructed by participants in another YWAM ministry - super cool story, ask me about it sometime). We were also able to make some special kitchen appliance purchases for Santiago, the oldest son from the family, to be able to push forward with his passion for baking. We were ALSO able to contribute to a number of YWAM ministries and support Pastor Jesus and Principe de Paz in some significant ways! All in all, your YES allowed us to be exceptionally generous in a number of different ways!
So again, thank you!!
js
