Meet Rich and Lila, two of the warmest and kindest people you will ever meet. Over the past three years of ministry in Mexico with Love God Love People, I have had the privilege of getting to know them and their ministry the Nuestro Camino Food Bank. Rich and Lila have family back in the States who they love and care about deeply, and yet the have made their home in Puerto Penasco. They feel called to the community there and so that is where they have decided to be, living in the very community they minister to. A few years back, in partnership with a local church, they opened up a food bank which catters to the needs of the families living in poverty. With the recent downturn of the economy in the U.S. the circumstances in Puerto Penasco have drastically worsened. Missionaries like Rich and Lila face the dauting task of trying to provide for even more people who are in need while doing so with even fewer resources.

I am writting this post because the Nuestro Camino Food Bank has been and will continue to be a valuable ministry partner for Love God Love People as they live on the front lines of the battle of poverty. I am asking you to see if you can join this battle to help end hunger for families in Puerto Penasco through any of the following ways:

1. Donating Food
2. Donating Financially
3. Speaking to your Church about supporting the food bank
4. Contacting local grocers or other avenues to find continual sources of food
5. Get creative! We are looking for people to partner and walk alongside this ministry.

Any donation is helpful but if you can committ to walking with the food bank on a monthly basis that goes a long way.

If you would like further information about the food bank, like to contact Rich and Lila directly, or have any questions please contact me by leaving a comment on this blog or e-mailing me at chris.lglp@gmail.com

Thanks and God Bless!

So…

I am curious. What comes to mind when you look at the image above? Does it invoke any emotions, or can you relate to the expressions on the faces of the two people above? For those of you who know the people above, are these familiar expressions? Perhaps it would help to build context around the image so that you can better understand the joy and satisfaction that this image seems to be soaked in. I’ll start with their names.

Meet David and Brittani. I did that very thing this past year when I interned with Food for the Hungry. David and Brittani are part of the City Initiatives team of Food for the Hungry and spend a great deal of their time focusing on gospel driven issues of injustice and human poverty. They are very good at what they do, and above that, they are very good and including other people in what they do. Something that continues to build up the body of Christ in Phoenix and beyond. They are both incredibly gracious and fun loving people, the kind of folks who you just want to be around. So, all that to say these are two awesome people.

About a week and a half ago I got an e-mail from David sharing that he was ready to pop the question! He asked if I would be willing to photograph the proposal, of course I was. We met soon after to strategize, find the location, and set into place a sneaky plan that I’m confident would rival most military operations. So once we had poured over the detials it was just a matter of waiting. Eventually they day came.

The Day Of 12/15/2009:

2:08pm
David calls to make sure everything is a go. I barely recognize his voice as the excitment and anticipation are at their highest point yet!

4:00
I arrive to the top of South Mountain and place an empty bottle of coke as a marker to signal David where to stand.

4:09
David sends me a text asking how Mexico was (I was there the previous weekend). This is code for: We are now leaving Food for the Hungry)
I reply with a code meaning that everything is good to go.

4:46
David texts me  ”Glad you had fun.” Translation…we are here!

I stayed hidden and out of sight waiting for them to approach. I soon saw David walking towards the coke bottle, a big smile on his face. Right behind him is Brittani, still not knowing what is about to happen. As they reach the spot they stand next to each other and talk for a moment. David takes her hand and they look out from South Mountain towards the city. It was then that I remembered why this is where David wanted to propose.  ”South Mountain,” David had said, “is a special place for us. Our time there has always been meaningful. If there was any place in Phoenix that is our place it is South Mountain.” I smiled, and began to snap away. As I did the moment arrived and David took one knee.

After what was only moments, but I expect felt like ages, David finished his proposal. And guess what, she said YES!!! They caught their breath and hugged as the excitement was obviously overwhelming. After a moment David revealed another secret…”Say cheese Brittani!”

After giving Brittani some time to process everything that was happening we took the opportunity to snap some more pictures in the beautiful light being cast by the setting sun.

There are good days and there are great days. This was a great day. And, I suspect one that neither David or Brittani will soon forget. Again, congratulations to you both. It was a privilege to share that time with you! I’m so excited to see what’s next to come for the two of you, thanks for letting me be a small part of your journey together!

December marked the last trip of the year for Love God Love People in Rocky Point. 2009 has proved to be a fruitful year in our ministry in Mexico, and one in which we can look back fondly on. This months trip was comprised of 14 people, six joining us for the first time. Along with multiple construction projects and an afternoon spent at the food bank and in the community, we were able to be a part of several church driven outreach events. These events were focused around sharing the gospel with the community. They involved local speakers, food for the families and stockings for the kids. All and all it was a successful time and one we were glad to be able to participate in! Thank you to all of our volunteers who donated their money, time and energy this weekend. It was encouraging to see and a privilege to serve with you! For those who are thinking of joining us on a future trip take a look at the dates for our 2010 trips below:

2010

January 8-10th

February 19-21st

March 19-21st

April 16-18th

May 14-16th

June 18-20th FATHERS DAY

July 16-18th

August 20-22nd

September 17-19th

October 15th-17th

November 19-21st

December 17-19th

To see more pictures from the trip click here.