Home build

Documenting a home building project and evangelistic event which took place in Tijuana Mexico in November 2010.

Photo credits: - Chad Youngquist - John Rennert - Jim Harp

Blog by Jim Harp

Chad and Jamie

Chad and Jamie
Chad and Jamie

The Home for Home Program

Chad and Jamie Youngquist along with Chad's parents Jon and JoAnn Youngquist own Pillar Development Company which specializes in building modest starter homes in Ellensburg Washington. For each home Pillar Development builds in the USA they are committed to building a small home for an underprivileged family in a developing country. This project is known as the Home for Home Program and consists of the Youngquist family and their many friends from around the world.

http://www.home-for-home.org/

The Home for Home building projects are completed in cooperation with Baja Christian Ministries.

http://www.bajachristian.org/about/

Baja Christian Ministries (BCM) serves the spiritual and physical needs of the poor through engaging short-term mission teams in Mexico. For Churches and organizations throughout the United States, Mexico and worldwide, this Ministry provides opportunity for active, first-hand service in the third world environment.

This blog documents a Home for Home build and evangelistic event which took place in Tijuana Mexico in November 2010. The Youngquists graciously invited me to join their group for the weekend which turned out to be one of the most educational, emotional and rewarding experiences in my life.

Jim Harp

Ramon and Ramon

As work comenced, Ramon from Baja Christian ministries introduced himself and his young son also named Ramon. Ramon, who I found to have an infectious personallity proceeded to tell me his history as a street gangster and drug dealer. He explained that before finding Jesus his face was set in a permanent scowl, placed there as a warning to others that he was a dangerous man. I challenged Ramon to demonstrate his 'mean mug' for me and observed attempts to transform his smiling face into that of his former life. His facial muscles moved and twitched but refused to remember that long abandoned nasty face. The end result of his attempts was an even larger smile as shown in this picture. As Ramon spoke to me about his life and love for Jesus it was apparent he has been blessed with a keen understanding of his relationship with God.

 

The neck tattoo is evidence of Ramon's former life as a criminal gang member.