In January 2010, a team of 35, led by Dean & Catherine Hanson, flew down to Ensenada, Mexico, just south of Tiujuana, to build 3 homes for local families. When the teams arrive, our local sponsor YOUTH WITH A MISSION had the foundations poured, material delivered, and tools ready to go. Over the next 48 hours our teams (of 12) each built a home for a local family that had been living in sub-standard living conditions - even by their local standards. Here is our story.
Blue Team
I was blessed to be able to experience the phrase "Homes for Hope" first-hand on our trip to Ensenada.
First, the word "Home" is so much more descriptive of our mission and purpose than house, or habitat. We were working arm in arm with the family to create a home for them. Not a shelter, though we saw many, but truly a home, where they can be safe from the elements, and nurture their families.
Then the word "Hope" was truly what we were there to provide for the family. Giving them a safe haven gives them hope for a future that is brighter than before we arrived. With no possibility for a mortgage, as we rely on in America, this was fastforward of at least a decade of saving for a home, if ever. The kids will be less sick, as the baby had been during the rains, and may have a better opportunity to finish their education, which only a fraction are able to do. Mark Englund
Current home for 5 people
Praying over the build site
First wall goes up
Dean framing a wall
Neighborhood kids help paint
Finishing touches on the doorway
Up goes the walls
Inside their new home
The family with the build team
Red Team
We thought we were going to help a family - not change a family, nor did we fully realize the huge impact we would have on these people. Our team really bonded with the family, the Mom (Alex) especially, because she spoke very good English. Alex said “We often forget how good God is and then He sends us people like you” That made the biggest impact on us because we were there to glorify God and not ourselves. Steve & Lori Kothman
My son (who is 14) and I where fortunate to go to Ensenada to help build a home with YWAM. The experience helped not only my son but myself in the fact that we are truly thankful for what we have. We are so grateful to be able to be part of such a wonderful thing...To see the extreme joy on the face's of the family when we handed over the keys to them!
It was a totally awesome experience and we plan to do it again next year. Torrey Kjelstad
Current Home for family of 3
Arriving at the build site
Raising the walls
Connecting the walls
Roofing the house
Finishing the roof
Helping paint my new house
A motley crew
The Red Team
Silver Team
" It was such an awesome experience to be able to build a family a safe/new home that they would never be able to achieve on there own. It was a blessing for the family we built for and a true blessing to be able to help them in such an impacting way!" JD Hanson
Current home for family of 5
Praying over the build site
Framing the house
Painting the siding
The walls are up
View of the neighborhood
Putting the trusses for the roof
Roofing the house
The build team
Hanson Builders staff members who made the trip:
Dean Hanson, Catherine Hanson, Steve Kothman, Lori Kothman, Mark Englund, JD Hanson, Nancy Brown, Mike Carbone, Torrey Kjelstad, David Hansen, Ryan Hansen, Chelsey Skelly, Don Skelly, Linda Holmberg.
