“Then God is surely hearing our prayers,” he said with tears in his voice. â€œMaybe finally He will make our dreams come true so we can properly care for these dear children.”

Uncle David’s Message

THE CRISIS

“The country is going to close down here in Bolivia,” said my son-in-law Richard over the phone. â€œSince there were irregularities in the voter reporting system, the citizens are going to blockade all roads nationwide until another election is held.”

“You’d better get enough food for the workers to last a while,” I replied â€œas well as gasoline and diesel in case the electricity shuts down.”

“That’s exactly why I am calling,” he said. â€œWe need some money to go down immediately to buy food today.”

I promised to scrape up what I could find, and deposit it in the bank so they could pull it out with the debit card right away. â€œAnd don’t forget to buy a few extra bags of rice and beans for some of our neighbors that are very poor and can’t afford to buy extra food”.

Food is now running low and no one knows how much longer the blockade will continue. We can only pray, but prayer is the best tool anyone can have. How comforting to know our Heavenly Father is constantly watching and providing for His children. Please don’t forget to pray for your brothers and sisters that live and work in very difficult and sometimes life-threatening situations in other countries.

COULD OUR DREAM FINALLY BE COMING TRUE?

“My passion is to help children,” said the voice over the phone. â€œI know you operate schools and homes in many countries,” he continued. â€œI have researched your work and know what you are doing and want to help you.”

One of the calls I had made was to India to speak to a friend who is a retired pastor working with children. He shared with me how he grew up living on a dump and eating with the dogs and the pigs until a pastor found him, took him home, and educated him. Now he has dedicated his life to training health and Bible workers and caring for disadvantaged children.

When I told him that we wanted to buy property to put up some buildings to care for children, he promised to find a couple of acres. “No,” I said. “That is too little. We will need at least 20-40 acres so that the children can live securely, with water, and with land for agriculture.”

“But that is very expensive here in India“, the pastor protested.

“That is what the donor is willing to pay for,” I informed him.

“Then God is surely hearing our prayers,” he said with tears in his voice. â€œMaybe finally He will make our dreams come true so we can properly care for these dear children.”

Yes Lord, the time has come for you to act. Lift up you Mighty arm and provide for the needs of your loving workers so they can properly do the work you have called them to do in this last generation.

I am so glad to be called to be an ambassador for the King of Kings. It is the highest calling available in the universe today. Have you accepted the call? It will take all you have and your supreme loyalty will be to Him alone, but it will be the greatest joy and fulfillment you will ever know. Apply today to work as a volunteer ambassador at www.GMIvolunteers.org.

From the Frontlines,

Uncle David

Frontlines Mission News
New Project

RANCH “FULLNESS of HOPE”
(“PLENITUD de ESPERANZA”)

FROM THE PEN OF THE ADMINISTRATION

After more than 3 years and great efforts in which many of you have participated through your prayers and contributions, we wish to inform you that a property has been acquired in Southern Mexico, in the state of Quintana Roo.

In October of 2019, we had a wonderful weekend where we thanked God for the many blessings received from His hand, and for leading us here in the midst of all the adversities that have been faced. We had a beautiful experience participating in the Rite of Humility and Communion in the company of several brothers and almost all of the work team.

This is the Noh-Bec lagoon that is close to the project.

A beautiful sunset. The lagoon is an ecosystem of hundreds of species of birds, amphibians and mammals.

The first construction of two small houses began last July of the current year 2019. Due to the needs of the nearby village residents to receive attention for their health problems, a space is being adapted to receive them during the construction and to be able to provide support through hydrotherapy, massages, healthy cooking classes, etc. We are planning to begin construction of the Healthy Life Center that we trust will soon be a reality with God’s help and direction.

Hard cleaning work to adapt the first two homes for missionaries.

A volunteer pulling the dirt out of one of the rooms.

The progress to date of the first two homes, the kitchen and dining room.

This is the house shared by the volunteers working in the construction.

In the meantime, there has been the joy of witnessing how medical missionary work opens doors everywhere. After it was decided to purchase the property, health outreach and cooking classes were first offered for the benefit of the seller and their family who then spread the word and invited their acquaintances to come meet us. It has been a great experience to be instruments in the hands of God and to share in the blessing through this great work of the health ministry.

At the project many people with illnesses are coming already. We’ve been given treatments and free consultations! From Left is Gema Santiago, one of the board members of the Baraka Project who is a medical missionary.

This is the pineapple plantation that we will enjoy very soon!

The planting and cleaning of the hectare of land containing several established coconut trees requires a lot of work and has been a priority. This fertile land has already begun to produce its first fruits which have been shared with the surrounding villagers. We have also been working on putting in our first vegetable garden while attending to the other field tasks.

In Bacalar lagoon the water is medicinal and the white sand with sulfur is born there that is very good for diseases. This lagoon is 45 minutes from “Plenitud de Esperanza” project.

We realize there are yet many needs to address, and the time is short, but if the Lord has sustained us to this day, we know that He will do it until the end. For this reason we want to invite you to be a part of this great project, and to please, always remember us in your prayers, as we need God to guide us in fulfilling this great commission.

We thank all those who in one way
or another have collaborated through their physical and financial efforts,
and by giving of their valuable time
and support.

There are those who have contributed by way of their willingness to learn to do things for which they were not trained, and to undertake something that seemed impossible, but were enabled to do so by God’s grace. Without a doubt, we may make mistakes, but we pray that God’s mercy and His wisdom will cover us every day.

We had our first Rite of Humility, and Communion.

Uncle David serving Abram, one of our volunteers working in the project.

Each one of the visitors and missionaries participated by washing their feet with each other.

Auntie Becky praying with Ruth the architect who’s helping to develop the project.

Breaking of the bread.

NEEDS

Volunteers to work in the construction trades

Volunteers for the cultivation of vegetables and fruit trees

MATERIAL NEEDS

Everything that is related to construction

Doors

Windows

Solar Heaters

Solar Panels

Water Filters

Solar Batteries

Inverters

Solar Controllers

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We thank God foremost for each and every one of His abundant blessings. May the Lord bless and prosper all those who in one way or another have given through GMI their support Baraka Mexico Project by sharing their financial resources, their advice, prayers and through their physical efforts and hard work at each stage of the project so far.

An apology if someone’s name was omitted by mistake, and thanks also to those who wish to remain anonymous. BLESSINGS, AND MAY GOD ALWAYS DIRECT US!!!

· Ãlvaro Salgado

· Ma. De la Cruz Cacho

· Ezequiel Gómez

· Nubia y Cristina de Colombia

· Marcelino Félix

· Renata Maldonado

· Victoria Alcázar

· Marycruz y Ma. Teresa Roano

· Inés Farfán

· Heber Hernández

· Hugo Pérez

· Vladimir Elysee

· Islas Abrego

· José Luis Pedraza

· Michael Mateus

· Ovaldo Morente

· Rosario Blackwell

· Felipe Torres

· Raquel de Tapachula

· Gloria de Honduras

· Lupita Ramos

· Beulah Warner

· Frank Padilla

· Abdiel Quetz

· Rebeca Chan

· Abraham Betancourt y familia

· Germán Ramírez

· Antonio Cabello

· Pedro, Daniel y Moisés Eusebio

· Ãngel Charles

· José Castellanos

· Elizabeth de España

· Rocío García

· Rodolfo Álvarez

· Gabriel Santiago

· Marleny Santamaria

· Joel García

· Ruth Barrientos

· Rene y Yessica Hernández

· Rubén Manzo

· Pedro Chacala

· Roger Vargas

· Cesar Viveros

· Jaret Bautista

· Lulú Solano

· Jediael Rosales

· Jaime Pérez

Here some of the administrator volunteer staff of Baraka Mexico and others. From L to R Gema, Susi and Polo from the Baraka Administration, a donor, Ruth the architect and Auntie Becky.

To see the progress of the work in the Bacalar project in southern Mexico, visit and like our page at https://www.facebook.com/barakamexico/

Susana López
General Administrator
Email: administrador@barakamexico.org
Phone: +525514761922
http://www.barakamexico.org/

MISSION STORY
My Life in the Mission

MY ADVENTURE SOUTH OF NOH-BEC
Abdiel Quetz

“If you have
the energy,
time and talents, we invite you
to the Mexican Caribbean“

FROM THE PEN OF AN ADVENTUROUS VOLUNTEER

This is the Noh-Bec Lagoon, that is adjacent to the project of Baraka.

The Ranch “Plenitud de Esperanza” project is situated on an 80 hectare (198 acres) property adjacent to a lagoon located four miles south of the small town called Noh-Bec on the Yucatan peninsula in southern Mexico.

This project is a GMI missionary outpost center with a vision of sustainability. The goal for this mission compound is to provide for its own source of food, water and electricity, as well as providing country living quarters for volunteers and staff. In addition, the project envisions developing a medical clinic, restaurant, industrial shops for carpentry and welding, to grow agricultural crops such as vegetables and coconuts, and to produce bread, charcoal and more to offer to the surrounding communities.

My family was invited by Uncle David to apply our talents as needed and help with anything we could. The volunteers residing at the project, also urged us to come help them install a solar-electric system. Recently, a 750 Watt inverter, LED light bulbs, wire, and a 12V USB charger had been generously donated to this project. Additionally, GMI donors provided for the purchase of 2 fully charged 12V deep cycle batteries.

My oldest son and I made plans to visit the project.

DAY ONE

To guide you through where this project is located in the map of Mexico.

Our journey began with a flight from Atlanta to Cancun. From Cancun we took a 4 hour bus ride towards Chetumal and were dropped off at the road crossing seemingly out in the middle of nowhere which leads to the small town of Noh-Bec. Don Cesar, a kindhearted village resident, picked us up in his jeep and drove us to his house in Noh-Bec. From there, his son drove us the last 4 miles further south to the project location.

This is the Yucatan Peninsula to show you another angle of the location from Cancun to Noh-Bec.

The little town of Noh-Bec on the north, on your left the lagoon of Noh-Bec and below you can see where the project actual location is.

Arriving at the project, we were greeted by Abram, Rocio, Ruth, Felipe, and Don Jaime, the volunteer pioneers who have given their time and energy to nurture this project from the start. They shared with us that they were eager to have lighting and power on the compound.

So, that late afternoon, the very first thing we did was to install the 12V USB charger, which enabled the volunteers to charge their phones on site, rather than to go into the town of Noh-Bec to charge them.

As the sun was setting, we refreshed from our long journey in the open sky shower. Then we all worshiped together as a family to God. Our fellow volunteers gave us each a hammock to sleep in. The custom in southern Mexico is to hang hammocks inside or outside the house for sleeping or for siesta. We slept soundly, not bothered in the least by the mosquito cloud buzzing around us.

This is Rocio a Medical Missionary helping in Natural ways of healing for the community, standing for the picture with my son Dario.

The ‘Open Sky’ shower head running water from the well.

There’s electricity in the rooms! Praise the Lord!

DAY TWO

Early the next morning, we had worship, and then feasted on a tropical breakfast of banana, papaya, pineapple, and a whole dragon fruit for each of us. Yummy!

Also we had the help of two new volunteers, Pedro and Angel Gabriel, a professional electrician, who had driven his truck down from the US and providentially just arrived that morning. Angel is a commonly given name in Hispanic countries. In this case, his name aptly describes how providential was the timing of his arrival to the project with a means of transportation.

This is Felipe enjoying his fruit breakfast with papaya, banana, cantaloupe, pinneapple, all I can say is YUMMY!!!

We quickly got to work installing the donated solar electrical equipment. We connected the inverter to the battery and installed light fixtures in the two houses and set up outdoor lighting for the showers.

As we were working, more construction workers began arriving from town and they began building two full bathrooms adjoining onto each duplex, since presently the showers and outhouse were both at a distance from the main building. High on the list of priorities was to have fully plumbed indoor bathrooms.

Working with one of the houses to adapt them for living use.

Hammocks are used inside and outside as well, some people sleep on hammocks at night.

Mingling with the donors who came to visit for the weekend.

This is the pickup truck Angel brought from the US and it was a big help to move equipment and shopping for the construction.

DAY THREE

The third day of our adventure began again with group worship and breakfast. We were very thankful that Angel had brought his truck to the project, because there is no vehicle stationed at the compound. The project volunteers needed additional materials, so after breakfast Angel and I headed to Chetumal, the biggest city located 90 minutes away, to buy plumbing for the toilets. We also ordered two 275 Watt solar panels, a solar charger controller, and purchased some needed tools, building supplies and groceries, and then headed back.

Our worship time in the morning and in the afternoon.

DAY FOUR

Rising early, and after worship and breakfast, Angel and I again headed out on a quest to Bacalar, 40 minutes away, where we picked up the solar panels and charger controller we had ordered the previous day. We also bought a kitchen sink, a gas stove and propane for the stove. Then, back at the compound and with the help of Abram, we installed the solar panels and the solar charger controller. It had been a long day, but we were also making progress.

Battery Inverter to connect the electrical power with the solar panels.

Making sure that the panels are properly secure on the roof top.

We installed the solar panel to the first house to use the refrigerator, charging cellphones and many other things.

DAY FIVE

This day we were expecting more volunteers and the arrival of Uncle David. Our plan was to have the two houses as comfortable as possible to receive the new guests. The toilets, shower and bathroom sink were installed and connected to the new water lines. In this tropical climate typical roofs are covered with a laminated material made of steel corrugated roofing. On the two houses, portions of the roofing panels were missing, so those areas were covered with new roofing.

‘Lamina” is the most common type of roofing used in Mexico and other countries in Latin America. Some of the types of roofing sheets: Steel sheets, Polycarbonate sheets, Tile type sheets, PVC sheets, Acrylic sheets.

The surrounding land was cleared of all the construction debris. Because it was Friday, we wanted to prepare a meeting place for Sabbath worship. The area that was being used for a kitchen and cafeteria afforded the biggest space. We decided it would be an easy task to relocate the kitchen, so we installed yesterday’s newly purchased stove and sink in another area of the house.

As we stayed busy with all the preparations, the day went very fast. At sunset we gathered, and continued singing, praising and sharing testimonies on how God had prepared us to be a missionary until Uncle David and the others arrived and joined us in worship.

Uncle David Sabbath morning giving us his report and testimonies.

DAY SIX

During the Sabbath we worshipped and listened attentively as Uncle David shared testimonies. Many had decided to fast, so the rest ate a small lunch. We had communion and shared even more testimonies until sunset.

The group of brothers and sisters working in the project along with the visitors who came for the weekend service.

This is the refrigerator Susi brought for the kitchen.

This is the outdoor kitchen, the ecological wood stove.

DAY SEVEN

On Sunday, the project leaders met to discuss the goals and visions for the “Plenitud de Esperanza” project.

Susi, the Baraka Project Administrator who arrived from Mexico City on Friday afternoon, attended to the delivery of a refrigerator donated to our compound. This refrigerator was installed and connected to the solar system.

After our work was completed, all the volunteers drove to the beautiful lagoon of Bacalar for a refreshing swim. Later we gathered for fellowship and supper at a vegan restaurant in town and then we all parted – some going to Mexico City, others back to the project site and my son and I back to the US.

The beautiful Bacalar Lagoon of seven colors! At least seven hues of blue and turquoise make this freshwater lagoon unique. The crystal clear waters and white sandy bottom of this lagoon cause the water color to morph into varying shades of turquoise, blue and deep indigo throughout the day and in different depths.

Enjoying the good weather and swimming a the lagoon of seven colors! From L to R Felipe, Gema and Abram.

The group that join us to enjoy a meal together at the vegan restaurant. In the photo donors and volunteers.

PROJECT WRAP UP

As of this writing, the Ranch “Plenitud de Esperanza” project includes a duplex house, running water and solar powered electricity. The main house contains a living room, a kitchen, two bedrooms and one bathroom, and house number two contains three bedrooms and a bathroom. There are actually two kitchens – one indoor and another outdoor kitchen. The indoor kitchen includes a gas stove, a kitchen sink, and a chest freezer/refrigerator and the outdoor kitchen includes an ecological wood stove. Also, there is an open sky shower with nighttime lighting and private, open sky sleeping rooms for volunteers, which will be roofed in the future.

We boarded with Uncle David’s airplane back to the US. From L to R, Angel Grabriel, Auntie Becky, Dario my son, Myself and Uncle David.

The project also has a carpentry shop, a very fertile garden area, and 12 acres (5 hectares) of coconut trees with access to the Noh-Bec lagoon.

There is yet a need for volunteers who are able to do hands-on construction work. Since the project is still in its infancy, all skilled trades and craftsmen are welcomed here. The weather is hot (85 F / 29 C) and humid, with lots of rain and of course, tropical fruit and mosquitos.

So, if you have the energy, time and talents, we invite you to the Mexican Caribbean, to be used by God and to have an unforgettable and rewarding adventure, just south of Noh-Bec.

Everyday coconuts drop or are being cut from the trees for the missionaries to drink and as a food. The land is so fertile that there is no needed to till the ground, just to dig and put the seed and in a couple of weeks it sprang out the little plant. God is sooo good for giving us a good soil to use for our sustainable resources.

Abdiel Quetz
Email: anorve2002@yahoo.com

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