GOD Brought Us In For A Smooth Landing

       We had been planning on going to Mexico to be any help we could to the orphans and extremely poor children in the Tijuana/Rosarito Beach area since December of 2003. Life is life though and with one delay after another (a new baby, house remodel, a major earthquake, quitting work, house sale, another new baby, etc.) it took 4 years to get going.

       In February of 2008 we were ready to go. We had waited for God's timing, truly trusting Him. Initially we could not find anyone who would rent to a family with nine children. Our realtor was at a loss. We were telling God that we would take anything, even a shack. Anything! God then moved the heart of the real estate group's accountant to offer us his six thousand square foot castle and, because he had no room for them in his new smaller home, we could buy the furnishings too. God was showing us that He was only waiting for us to give up our expectation in order to bless us beyond what we would have dreamed.

       It's always hard to move to a new place. A foreign country is much harder. Our Spanish was marginal. We didn't know the culture well. We couldn't find the foods that we liked. Was the water safe? Where do you drive when there are no lane markings? God had it all worked out though. He surrounded us with people to love and help us. We had the family that we came to work with, the Pepitos, working hard to help us get settled and acclimated. God gave us dear Mexican National friends, the Aguilars, to help us with language and culture among other things. The director's of YUGO Canada, the Hooples, befriended us and were a blessing in so many ways. God even provided neighbors across the street that did everything they could to be helpful. They were Jehovah's witnesses and really wanted to convert us but God meant if for good and they were a great help!

       We are truly blessed to have God for our pilot!

Why did we go to Mexico.

Around 1987, when Andrew was in the Navy and living with a friend in Ensenada, Mexico, they would cross the border to go to work at the San Diego Naval Station. In order to cross the border without a long wait, they would cross between 4 to 5am. There were usually many little children begging for money and selling chicklets (gum). Upon learning that these children were orphans or the children of very poor families, God put it on his heart to look into what could be done to help them.  At that time only the Catholic church was allowed to have orphanages so he didn't see anyway to make a difference.

Extremely poor children in east Tijuana

For years he told God that if I ever had the means he would love to help the orphans of Northern Baja California. After Andrew's mother passed away and left us a property in Atascadero, California, we started to see the doors opening up.  Around Christmas 2004 a missionary that we had worked with on short term trips to Mexico spoke at our home church, telling about their work of building orphanages, their successes, and their needs.  God let us know at that time that we were to go and help.

Four years later, in March of 2008, we moved to Rosartio Beach, B.C.N., Mexico and we began working with Firm Foundations doing construction for orphanages and feeding kitchens for poor children.

Other goals we have are for the family to learn Spanish and for the children to have an opportunity to experience a different life and to spend considerable time serving others.  

Still trying to get to Mexico...

 For two years now we have been saying that we are headed to Rosarito, Baja California, Mexico to work with a couple of orphanages there. I quit my job about 19 months ago to prepair and we have been prepairing since then. We have been getting the property cleaned up, the remodel of the downstairs is still going slowly, and we still need much practice with our spanish.

Andrew is currently replacing all copper water pipes in our home. This is new to him and, although he has enjoyed the learning the project is moving slowly.

God has been shaping work perfectly for the transition to Mexico. All of Fruin Communications clients are in good shape to be maintaned or repaired remotely. We believe a few more solid customers would be good though.

Please pray that the children would learn to focus on obeying and studying despite a multitude of distractions.

Please pray that Andrew could finish the remodel well.

Please pray that Sandra would experience the joy that our Father has promised in the midst of lifes trials.

Bye for now...