Chaos in 2020

Life and Ministry has looked very different for us this past season. In mid March we were set to start our Mission Adventure season. We had just completed our staff training and were excited for our first teams to arrive in Ensenada. And then, like most of us we went into quarantine. The border closed and we were not able to host teams or build houses. Mexico seemed to be a few weeks behind the United States as to when they started the mandatory stay at home orders. Our base in Ensenada had to temporarily close down as well as most of the businesses in Ensenada. Once that happened our YWAM SDB community quickly responded to people who were in need of daily food and supplies and began distributing to all the ministries we work with.

It was cool to see. And many of our staff are still distributing food. Jamie and I have not been able to help much but are proud of how our YWAM bases responded.

During the quarantine we have resorted to zoom like most of us have. Lots and Lots of zoom! It has had its blessings as we've been able to connect with people all around the globe we wouldn't have otherwise. It's been good to pray and strategize with other missionaries and pastors.

Around the 20th of April Jamie and I received a phone call we were not ready for. We had just driven up to San Diego for an ultrasound to check on our baby and returned home. Found out we are having a BOY! And we named him Orion. The day after we arrived back in Ensenada the Dr called with some bad news. The doctors said they were seeing several abnormalities in our son. Medically its called C.H.A.O.S. The main problem being there was a blockage in his throat causing development issues with his heart and lungs. It was a crushing day. We are thankful for friends who broke quarantine rules to come be by our side that day. Within a day or two we were on our way back to San Diego for more testing.

After another ultrasound and MRI we were referred to a Fetal surgen in Pasadena, CA for a consultation.

We met with the Surgen, did another ultrasound and he did not give us a good report. We stayed in a hotel in Pasadena and the next morning at 5am Jamie and Orion went in for fetal surgery to try and clear the blockage. While Jamie was in surgery I was not allowed in the hospital because of Covid, but once she was out of surgery they let me come in and stay with her overnight in a recovery room. At first the surgery seemed to help, but then with more ultrasounds the blockage was still there.The doctors said Jamie is high risk so they have asked for her to stay in California close to a hospital, meaning we don't plan to be in Ensenada until September when Orioin is due. The surgen asked for us to come back two weeks later to Pasadena for another ultrasound. So two weeks later we went back and met with the doctor, did an ultrasound and again, not good, they asked us to stay the night in a hotel and Jamie went in for a second surgery at 5am the next morning. That night at our hotel we heard flash bombs or some sort of explosions from the protesting happening nearby. We could see helicopters from our 8th floor hotel window with spot lights and announcing the 4pm curfew that had gone into effect in LA that day. I'll never forget that night and my prayers with God.

The blockage in Orions throat is medically called C.H.A.O.S. As I looked out the window unable to sleep all I could see was chaos. It was surreal. The next morning again I couldn't go into the hospital until Jamie was in recovery. Around 10am the nurse called me and said I could come in. I was in recovery before Jamie got there. As they wheeled Jamie's bed in 3 or 4 doctors were frantically working to help her. She was having painful contractions. Thankfully they were able to get them under control and eventually they stopped. We didn't know how the surgery went at this point. I was scared. We stayed the night in the hospital and they monitored Jamie and Orion. We assumed it didn't go well but didn't know. It wasn't until the next day when the surgen came to tell us he had done all he could do and that Orion will not make it. According to the doctors Orion has a 99.9% chance to pass away before or at birth. That was hard to hear. But we don't believe that. I've seen too many miracles to settle for that. We haven't stopped praying and believing for a miracle. Would you pray with us? We have had so many great friends and family standing with us during this time. We are so blessed. Thank you all. I have felt the presence of God over the last couple months in ways I never knew before. New understanding, New hope and more determined than ever that God loves us and He is on our side. It's been hard for sure. There have been times I feel like we're living a nightmare. But then I'm reminded of all the things God has spoke to us. The dreams He has given us. The plans He has for us. His promises in scripture. That is our hope. The chaos we all face today will be conquered. We are more than conquerers because nothing will separate us from the kingdom of Jesus. Romans 8.

Over the next several weeks we have family visiting with us and we rented an airbnb in Lake Elsinore so we can host friends and family. We will then return to Chula Vista the end of July and wait there until Orion is born. We just resigned our 1yr lease on our house in Ensenada so our plan is to return to Mexico this fall.

We are asking for prayer for Orion, Jamie and myself in this season. Please pray with us. If you have words of encouragment, written prayers or want to help financially let us know and we will get you our mailing address. Thank you all so much.