They're Here - From Dan

It's been a while since we posted...here's brief run through of why:

Monday 9 am - Went to Rosarito (no phone or internet) to play with the kids and build a wall and sand walls. Loads of fun. At 5:30, we all hiked to the top of the Mt. Kernel that I've been wanting to do for 5 years...but we only made it to the peak before the peak before we ran out of water and time. We were above the clouds though and we read scripture and prayed on top as the moisture in the clouds softened the pages. When we came down, we had a quick bologna sandwich, shower and bed at Rosarito. It is awesome to sleep in the bunks of the kids who mean so much to us already.

Tuesday - We woke up early for breakfast and then spent most of the day working on random projects in Rosarito until lunch and then spent a lot of time with the kids. It was awesome to see Laura (they called her Dora) find her niche with some girls and Zach (they called him EE-Sack or Isaac) with Daniel, Jesus and Oscar. They took his digital camera and took some awesome pics. We came back to Tijuana around 5 for dinner and then we had an incredible night. After dinner, we met in my room for a time of devotion where we examined Psalm 32...the difference between living unforgiven and coming clean. We prayed and then Zach and Laura and me prayed for every traveler coming, we anointed each other and then they anointed each vehicle, room, bathroom, common space and more asking God to be the group's protection and hiding place this week. (I have been tear-ey ever since). We crashed early and then...

Today - We left early to pick up our crew of 30 today. After a fun border crossing in 2 15-passenger vans and a Suburban, we excitedly picked everyone up. And we even had a little room to spare in the cars. We drove them to downtown, gave them 3 maps and an assignment to find a couple key things in downtown San Diego before hopping on the trolley and meeting us down 5 miles from the Tijuana border. Only one group got them all done but they all look energized. We arrived in TJ around 4 and had a group time, we unpacked, we played with kids, we watched the Mexico/Argentina Soccer game, we ate incredible food and as I type the kids are playing volleyball and an incredible jam session between 2 mexicans and 2 americans just ended in the chapel. Tomorrow the hard work begins in Rosarito as we head out early.

Love you all and thanks for your prayers.