Iris Central Coast had the great joy of sending a combined staff and student team of 10, to Tijuana, Mexico.
Our connection for this trip happened through our LOVE1000, door-to-door, neighborhood outreach. A beautiful connection was made after a team knocked on the door of a lady named Leticia and discovered that she had been visiting Tijuana to love the poor in any way she could for the past couple years.
While visiting family in Tijuana, Leticia was moved with compassion for a particular group of people on the outskirts of Tijuana, in her efforts to help, she started a non-profit called, “A Step To Heaven.”
Here is a word from Leticia in regards to her non-profit ministry:
- “An urgent need presently exists in Mexico, homeless shelters are overflowing with men, women, and children, and even terminally ill patients who have very little food. This inspired me to start A STEP TO HEAVEN, a non-profit corporation devoted to raising money and collecting supplies for needy individuals in Tijuana. Currently, we run a simple yard sale out of my garage to raise money. We plan to expand to other cities as we grow.” *>
We are so blessed to be able to partner with this amazingly kind, caring, and compassionate lady in her aim see a difference and bring transformation in Tijuana.
During our time there in Tijuana, the team visited three hospice-type homes for the destitute and dying. A home for men, and a separate home for women, most of whom were physically, and or mentally disabled. Some of the patrons had even been brought there by ambulance just to die. Most homeless people on the streets and in the homes don't have identities so they are unrecognized within the government system and cannot get help. We also visited a home for transgender men most of whom have aids.
It was heart breaking and beautiful all at the same time. It was heartbreaking to see these human beings living in such a rough way, lacking the very basic necessities of living a healthy and cleanly life. But it was also beautiful because it’s so clear that Jesus loves each of these wonderful people so very much! So many miraculous stories of how the Lord provides, the fact that we came from eight hours away to bring food, clothes, shoes and money to keep the lights on is in and of itself, a miracle.
At each home we gathered our new friends and sang songs and prayed. The presence of the Lord was so beautiful and many people were moved to tears and praying aloud under the love and power of the Holy Spirit.
We ended our trip with a night at the Selah House Of Prayer. It was such a joy to partner with this amazing ministry in the heart of Tijuana’s Red Light District. We packed over thirty backpacks with fun girly things to take out to the ladies of the night that were working on the streets. We went out on a prayer walk to get a feel for the atmosphere and tap into God’s heart for the inner city area. We then had a great time meeting the team and coming together in prayer and worship. We broke up into smaller groups and hit the streets with our backpack gifts and to pray for the girls. There was such joy and sadness in our outreach time but God is so amazing! We saw four salvations! Jesus is King and we celebrate our new brothers and sisters in Christ!
We look forward to many more trips to Tijuana!