Joseph House
Nine hundred thirty-seven. That's how many men and women are deported from the States into Mexico every single day.*
Half of those come into Tijuana, just over the hill behind Hope Chapel Rosarito, the church we planted here in August 2008. In a single day, the day of his arrival, a deported man loses everything: family, kids, wife, job, money, surroundings. He is lost, confused, penniless and often unable to communicate, his main language being English.
Naturally, we cross paths with a number of these people. Sometimes they'll show up at a church service, whether invited by someone or just looking for help. Or we'll get a phone call from a Stateside relative, usually a desperate wife who is trying to find her deported husband. Sometimes, we are almost more 'detective' than 'pastor.' (We've taken more than one wild ride across Tijuana to give a hug and a meal!)
We help where we can: A ride, some food, a change of clothes. Via our Hope Chapel Rosarito church community, we aim to fill the most important need of all -- that of a family of people who fully understand the pain and difficulty involved. Many of our church families have not only survived deportation, but they tell us they're actually better for it.
This help has become such a vital part of our ministry in Mexico that we've given it a name: Joseph House. Yeah, we named it after that guy in the Bible, the one who not only survived the loss of everything (through deportation!), but who also experienced full and miraculous restoration. God gave him back all he had lost, even his family, and then gave him far more. Our deported folk identify easily with Joseph: Having lived through the process, they now give the glory to God for restoring their lives and families to better than they were before. They can say the words Joseph himself spoke so many years ago: "God made me fruitful in the land of my suffering..." (Gen. 41:52) and "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good..." (Gen. 50:20).
Half of those come into Tijuana, just over the hill behind Hope Chapel Rosarito, the church we planted here in August 2008. In a single day, the day of his arrival, a deported man loses everything: family, kids, wife, job, money, surroundings. He is lost, confused, penniless and often unable to communicate, his main language being English.
Naturally, we cross paths with a number of these people. Sometimes they'll show up at a church service, whether invited by someone or just looking for help. Or we'll get a phone call from a Stateside relative, usually a desperate wife who is trying to find her deported husband. Sometimes, we are almost more 'detective' than 'pastor.' (We've taken more than one wild ride across Tijuana to give a hug and a meal!)
We help where we can: A ride, some food, a change of clothes. Via our Hope Chapel Rosarito church community, we aim to fill the most important need of all -- that of a family of people who fully understand the pain and difficulty involved. Many of our church families have not only survived deportation, but they tell us they're actually better for it.
This help has become such a vital part of our ministry in Mexico that we've given it a name: Joseph House. Yeah, we named it after that guy in the Bible, the one who not only survived the loss of everything (through deportation!), but who also experienced full and miraculous restoration. God gave him back all he had lost, even his family, and then gave him far more. Our deported folk identify easily with Joseph: Having lived through the process, they now give the glory to God for restoring their lives and families to better than they were before. They can say the words Joseph himself spoke so many years ago: "God made me fruitful in the land of my suffering..." (Gen. 41:52) and "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good..." (Gen. 50:20).
What does a deported person need?
We get so many requests for practical help. Sometimes it's a $50 Costco membership (so they can save on food costs), or course/exam/licensing fees required for employment, or a temporary place to stay. We've delivered a number of men to our Foursquare Rehab unit and paid the registration fee of $170 (many deportees become addicted to drugs following deportation, as they try to survive on the streets of Tijuana). Sometimes we are able to help purchase their kids' school supplies and uniforms ($25-$80 per child). We do whatever we can. And we do it knowing that the Lord will supply more (2 Cor. 9:10). But by ourselves, we just don't have enough to make a difference.
Your tax-deductible** gifts help our deported families in all these ways.
Your tax-deductible** gifts help our deported families in all these ways.