When the Storm Comes

The Quel Patzan family moved to Mexico from Guatemala 7 years ago. They came here to establish a better life for their family, and they have been fighting to make that happen ever since. After moving to Tijuana they were able to secure the purchase of land, but had no money left to build a proper structure. Throughout all of the difficulties there was a ray of hope in March 2020 when they were told they were going to be receiving a Home of Hope. A concrete slab was poured and the wood was delivered, it was really happening! Then, almost as if it was a perfect storm, a week later due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we were forced to shut down our building process completely for a time. So close to finally having a warm and dry home for them and their 5 kids, Julion and Maria Luisa were forced to wait. For months, the concrete slab stood in front of their haphazard shelter, as a reminder of what almost was.

Finally, almost an entire year later, we were able to build their home this past January, but it was not without difficulties. A wild storm rolled into Tijuana the first day of the build, bringing rain, extreme wind and even hail! Through it all the team and the family persevered and the house was finished. Luisa was strong, optimistic and so thankful to be receiving a home. During the dedication, her and her eldest daughter wept as they thanked God for this beautiful gift. Throughout all the storms and the waiting, the Quel Patzan family remained strong as they held onto hope.

As For Me and My House

Brian Villarruel has been on staff with YWAM San Diego/ Baja for almost three years, serving in different capacities as well as staffing Homes of Hope builds. Throughout this time the situation of his family loomed in the back of his mind. While he was spending his days building homes for other families, his mom, Rocia, sister, Michelle and her children lived in another part of Tijuana in dire circumstances. Crammed in a small shelter, built over 35 years ago, their kitchen would flood every time it rained. They prayed and waited for a miracle but had issues making ends meet each month and didn’t have enough to pay to be able to get the proper paperwork to own their land.

Brian’s grandpa had first moved to Tijuana from the south of Mexico, 40 years ago, looking for a better future, all 7 of his kids ended up in drug use. One day, someone handed them a card for a Christian rehabilitation center- Brian’s mom and one of her sisters decided to enter and it turned their life around. They encountered God and were able to get clean! 

In all the ups and downs and even in the midst of a global pandemic, the Villarruel family held on to hope and God showed up for them in a miraculous way! After getting the rights to their land, they received one of the first Homes of Hope that we were able to build after almost 7 months of not being able to build any homes. 

At the dedication of the home, Brian led the family in declaring scripture, “as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).  What a beautiful declaration. As they dedicated their lives to the Lord, they were claiming a new future, rather than a future plagued by drugs and poverty- they were claiming a future brimming with hope.