The Kemps in Mexico

This weekend has been cold and Wet in Ensenada. Pretty much like a good summers day in Newcastle!!
But with the wind and rain, many people are realizing their houses are not adequate for their families. It showed especially today as we had over 100 people knocking on our door to apply for a new home, through our Homes of Hope Program. Some as early as 6am, waiting for the appointments at 10. As each family came through the door, you knew that each person had their own dream, their own hope of making life better for themselves and their families. What a privaledge it is for us, being part of making their dream come true.

Sometimes you have one of those days that you are going to remember for a long time. Well this Saturday was one of those days.

We'd already had a great week on the base. Our good Friend Kenny Peavy was speaking on the Discipleship Training School. We'd seen some miracles happen, and 13 people had re committed their lives to following God. It was a great week.
To finish the week off, some of the students and staff decided they wanted to get baptized as an outward sign of what God was doing on the inside.

I had the absolute privilege of baptising 2 of our staff. 
Firstly new staff member Keilley and then our long term staff member and friend Jaime.
The water was FREEZING. The waves were HUGE, but it was such an honor to be in there with our friends

After we had finished baptising all 5 people, we were hanging out on the beach for a while, enjoying the warmish November sun and playing with the Kids.
The beach was busy, with many local and American surfers come down to Ensenada to enjoy the Big waves.
I was just getting back to our house when one of our staff run up from the beach shouting "Come Back" 

3 guys were down from southern California on a Surfing trip. They had been watching us and were drawn to what we were doing and wanted to be baptized also.
So along with a local Missionary Friend of ours, we baptized these 3 surfers as they re committed thier lives to God.
It was a crazy Saturday, but one i wont forget i a hurry.

This week me and Sam had the privilege of attending the YWAM National Leaders Conference at the YWAM Guadalajara Base in Chapala.
With us were staff & Leaders from many of the YWAM bases; Juarez, Chiapas, Oaxaca, Mazatlan, Pachuca, Villahermosa, Cancun, Guadalajara and Creel.
It was a great few days catching up with old friends and meeting new ones. We are blown away by all the work that is going in Mexico at the different locations. The amount of lives that are being transformed by the different ministries is amazing.

As part of our conference, we threw a celebration party in honour of the YWAM Mexico National Leader, Jose Curiel. This year, Jose and his wife Adriana celebrate 30 years in YWAM. Through their time in the Mission, they have seen many miracles, overcome many obstacles, and seen many lives changed. They are an example to the rest of us.

Trying to run a the YWAM base and look after 6 Kids. 3 of them homeschooled, Gymnastics, Football, plus all the other responsibilities we have, takes alot of energy (and Hands)
Let me introduce you to Rachel Villaire (A.K.A - Mary Poppins - Practically perfect in every way) Rachel has come on staff for the next few months, with her main role being helping us with the kids, and helping Sam with homeschooling. All the kids love her. She is a real answer to prayer. Its a shame that she can only be here for a few months.

This year we have made a bit of a change to the Kids schooling. Following a fairly unsuccessful first year in Primary school last year for Noah, we decided to home school him this year. With Asher being so close to his age and them being so close, we decided to do the same with Asher. Then Levi decided that he wanted to give it a go also.

They are currently following a K12 online curriculum, which gives them a mixture of Online and Text book work.
There is also regular online connects with teachers and other classmates, which really helps with the social aspect of things.
Asher & Noah are also doing Gymnastics 5 days a week which helps them keep fit and run off all their boy energy.

Levi's classes are a little bit different, as he is closely monitored by his online teaches. He has class connects each day, and then submits all his work to teachers for marking.
Levi still keeps active training for football 3 days a week, and then games at most weekends.
He still keeps very social, and is in touch with friends from his school and is frequently being invited out and to parties by his friends.

This year has seen the most distance travelled by the Kemp family ever i think. So far this year we have gone to: 
South Mexico to visit the DTS team in January.
Guadalajara for leadership Meetings in May.
Family Vacation, Driving to Puerto Vallarta in July
Tym came to England for Luke's Wedding in August.
YWAM University Conference in Kona in September.
Next week, Me and Sam head back to Guadalajara for more YWAM Mexico leaders meetings.
So Far we have travelled over 20000 miles this year. Its a record. And hopefully we'll be back in the UK for Christmas, to add more miles to our total. The world is just getting smaller...

If there is one thing that Mexican's and Brits have in common is Football. (Soccer to the uneducated) 
Although we have always had a team, This year we have decided to embrace the Sport at YWAM even more and build a Football field on our property. It is in small beginnings, but our guys have spent a lot of time getting it ready, and of course practicing playing. 

We have already had our first tournament for the local community. We had about 6 local teams, along with a few of our own took part, and we gave away Footballs, tops and trophies. But more importantly gave us a great opportunity to hang out with some of the local Young people in Ensenada.

We love having all the American and Canadian teams through our ministry, but its always exciting to have people from our own country. Last week Ensenada was invaded by a group of 27 young people from the North East of England. Organised by our old friend from Newcastle, Steve Riley, and his organisation M10 the group trained and prepared for a year to come on the 10 day trip.
Building Homes, helping projects at a Center, Football tournaments and Skate Events for local young people, and of course eating Tacos, were just some of the things the group got up to.

The group was accompanied by a BBC journalist, who documented the whole trip. A short piece was shown on BBC Look North last night. You can see a copy of it on my FaceBook Page Here (you'll have to friend me if you're not already) A longer piece will be available later.
The group had an amazing time, and many are hoping to be back next year. Steve is hoping for a group[ of 75 next time...

Meet The Flores Family. Anabel, Tony, Anabel (jr), Elizabeth, Sarai and Deborah. 
Deborah, (now 7) was born with Celebal Palsy and is confined to a wheelchair.

Unfortunately Here in Mexico, there are very few resources to help families like theirs to cope with children born with needs like Deborah's.

Determined to overcome this, Anabel and Tony have pioneered their own organisation, Project Deborah. Inspired by their own little girl, and with a mission to teach, Train and resource families to find the joy in bringing up children with their own unique needs. Through this ministry, they have already seen many lives changed and families united in working together to bring up their children.

The ministry has been very fortunate to have been given a large facility, just east of Ensenada to use as a training and resource center. With the financial situation of trying to pioneer a ministry and raise a family, the whole family decided to move into the training center to live and run the ministry.
This worked well, but was also limiting with space and resources.

This week, that all changed, as the Flores family was given the gift of a new home. A very Generous gift from the Tom & Jane Pirelli and the Arial Foundation. The home is 750sf, has 3 bedrooms, full kitchen and bathroom with waterless toilet. The house in the 66th home that the foundation has built here in Ensenada, many of them have been partnered with YWAM and Homes of Hope. This was a true Blessing and great reward to a family who is constantly giving back to the community around them.

This week we start the new season of our lives here at YWAM San Diego Baja. Last tuesday we were given the role of Campus leaders for Ensenada. This is a huge change for us with all the extra responsibilities it brings, but we're excited about the new challenges and opportunities it is going to give us.