Sean/Josephine Lee - Yugo Missions (Ensenada, Mexico)

Day 14: Gratitude and Reflection

https://medium.com/@aspirasean/day-14-a-journey-of-gratitude-and-reflection-f81794e4148e

Day 5: A Joyous Culmination

https://medium.com/@aspirasean/day-5-a-joyous-culmination-fd1ba1c9b7aa

Day 4: Nearing the Finish Line

https://medium.com/@aspirasean/day-4-nearing-the-finish-line-d80d393bf328

Hi Everyone,

Thank you once again for your support. I wanted to let you know that I will no longer be posting updates on Fundly. Instead, I'll be sharing my journey on Medium. You can follow along by following me on the platform and subscribing to notifications.

Here’s the link: https://medium.com/@aspirasean

Thanks!

Day 2: Building Hope and Healing Hearts

Today marked the beginning of our hands-on mission: building a new home for the Ramirez family. After months of preparation, the reality of being here, ready to serve, brought me to tears during our morning praise at chapel. This journey has been the culmination of my personal healing and spiritual growth, and to finally start this mission felt overwhelmingly profound.

Our day began with breakfast at 7:30am, followed by a moving chapel service at 8:30am. The praise and worship session was filled with emotions, tears streaming down my face as I reflected on the months of anticipation and the deep personal significance of this journey. I felt the Holy Spirit’s presence, guiding me and reminding me of the purpose behind our mission.

We arrived at the job site, a small plot of land surrounded by garbage and filth, a stark contrast to the suburban neighborhoods back home. Families here live in tiny 300 sq ft shacks without windows, and many lack access to electricity and basic amenities. Seeing these conditions firsthand was a sobering reminder of the vast disparities in our world.

Josephine joined the women in painting the walls, while I took on the heavier tasks, transporting lumber and drywall. Due to a calf strain, I avoided climbing and working on ladders but still did my best to contribute. The physical labor was challenging, but the emotional weight of the day was even more profound.

A surprising and heart-wrenching encounter occurred when I met a young Mexican man in handcuffs. He asked for help to break free, but Richie, our foreman who speaks Spanish, explained that we couldn’t assist him in that way. Instead, we asked if he would accept Jesus into his heart, and to our surprise, he agreed. Right there, in the middle of the dirt road, we prayed for him. Despite not knowing his story or why he was in this situation, my heart ached to help him. I gave him water and my sandwich, hoping to provide a small measure of comfort.

The local children, who seem to spend their days playing in the dirt with little prospect for the future, watched us with wide eyes. They were curious about me, probably the first Asian person they had ever seen. I waved and said hello, and their shy smiles warmed my heart. Later, when an ice cream vendor came by, I bought ice cream for the children. Their faces lit up with joy, a reminder of the simple pleasures that can bring happiness even in difficult circumstances.

By the end of the day, we had made significant progress, raising the framework of the house, complete with four walls and a roof. Joseph, the father, worked tirelessly alongside us, pouring his sweat and effort into building a future for his family. As we wrapped up, I had a touching conversation with Joseph and his 4-year-old son. In broken Spanish, I told the boy, “Tu papa construye la casa. Tu papa es el número uno.” The look on their faces was priceless, and as I hugged Joseph, I felt a deep connection. We were not just building a house; we were building a new beginning, bonded by faith and love.

This journey, for me, is deeply rooted in the themes of forgiveness and transformation. Just as we are transforming this plot of land into a home, I am experiencing a transformation within myself. Forgiveness has played a significant role in my healing process, allowing me to move forward and serve with an open heart. This mission is a testament to the power of God's love and the change it can bring to our lives.

As we prepare for Day 3, I ask for your prayers for restoration and strength. May the Holy Spirit continue to guide us, and may we be filled with the grace and compassion needed to complete this mission. Let us pray for the Ramirez family, that this new home will be a place of love, safety, and new beginnings.

Day 1:

Today was a day that tested our endurance, but also filled our hearts with profound gratitude and compassion. Josephine and I began our journey at 3:00am ET, and as I sit here at 12:00am ET, reflecting on the past 21 hours, I am overwhelmed by the depth of this experience.

Our journey took us to San Diego, where we had the simple joy of sharing a meal at In-N-Out Burger. It was Josephine’s first time tasting the iconic burgers, and seeing her delight was a wonderful start to our day. This small moment of happiness set the tone for the long trip ahead.

From San Diego, we drove to Ensenada, Mexico, a two-hour journey that took us across a stark divide. Crossing the border, we left behind the affluence of San Diego and entered a world where many struggle with daily necessities. This transition was a powerful reminder of the vast inequalities that exist just minutes apart.

We arrived at Yugo Campus at 4:00pm, where we settled in before heading to the beach with our team. The ocean's vastness and beauty offered a moment of peace and reflection. We took pictures, capturing memories that will last a lifetime. Sharing this experience with Josephine was especially moving. I am immensely proud of her for traveling all the way to Ensenada to serve others.

Our evening was spent with the Rameriez Valenzuela family. Blanca, the mother, shared their heartbreaking story of living in a shack with dirt floors, no kitchen, and no rooms for their family of five. Her gratitude for our presence and help was palpable, and as she spoke, I couldn’t hold back my tears. The sight of her three small children and her elderly mother living in such dire conditions was heart-wrenching.

During dinner, I sat next to Joseph, the father, and his children. Despite the language barrier, we communicated through smiles, eye contact, and gestures. The Holy Spirit bridged the gap between us, making it clear that love and compassion need no translation. As the family prepared to leave, I felt compelled to hug the grandmother, offering a moment of human connection and comfort.

This day has been a powerful reminder that our mission here is not just about building a physical structure. We are here to offer hope, love, and a fresh start to a family in desperate need. The work we do this week will change their lives, giving them a new home and the promise of a brighter future.

I look forward to the days ahead and pray that the Holy Spirit continues to move within us, guiding our hands and hearts as we work to make a difference.

I wanted to reach out to express my heartfelt gratitude for your generous support towards our mission of providing shelter for families in need. Your contributions are making a significant difference in the lives of those who are facing dire circumstances.

I am thrilled to share with you that we have identified the next family who will benefit from your kindness and compassion: the Famirez Valenzuela family. Their current living situation is incredibly dire, with a pressing need for adequate housing and essential appliances.

The Valenzuela family has been enduring extreme hardships, living in conditions that are far from ideal. Through your support, we will be able to provide them with a safe and comfortable home, offering them the stability and security they desperately need.

I want to inform you that we have uploaded additional photos to our fundraising page, providing a glimpse into the challenges faced by the Valenzuela family and the impact your contributions will make in transforming their lives. Your generosity is truly making a difference, and I cannot thank you enough for your kindness and support.

For those who have already donated, your generosity is deeply appreciated. If you haven't had the chance to contribute yet but are moved to make a difference, I invite you to visit our fundraising page at https://fundly.com/yugo-missions-ensenada-mexico. Every donation, no matter the size, will bring us one step closer to providing shelter for the Valenzuela family and others like them.

Once again, thank you for your unwavering support and dedication to our mission. Together, we are making a tangible difference in the lives of those in need.