Early this summer a team of volunteers from Cypress Church traveled on a six-day mission trip to serve disadvantaged residents in the Ensenada, Mexico area. There were ten Orange County residents in the group from three different families. The mission was led by Dan Punkay, and Justin McElderry. Other participants included Lori, Andrew and Natalie Punkay, Suzanne, Eliana, Vivian and Cael McElderry, and Tom Frank. All age groups from elementary school to adults were represented.
This is the sixth year that volunteers from Cypress Church have partnered with YUGO Ministries to assist the community of Lomas Bonitas. This neighborhood is located in the mountains on the edge of Ensenada.
The community of Lomas Bonitas is unique in that the residents are immigrants from southern Mexico. There is no running water or natural gas service. The local wage is about $6 for a full day of labor. The roads are dirt and in very poor condition. While the parents are working, local pastors Juan and Karina Ambrocio provide programs for the children in town.
Most families do not own homes, but live in one-room structures provided for them by the local church, “Centro Cristiano Jehova Jire,” and Yugo Ministries. This year the Cypress Church team partnered with a family of three who were in need, helping them build a small home, complete with a full roof. The family’s previous home was particle board with a tarp over the top. In addition to building, the volunteers also assisted with a neighborhood feeding center for children.
Andrew Punkay gave the Wednesday evening sermon in Spanish at “Centro Cristiano Jehova Jire.” When asked to describe the focus of this trip, Cypress Church Associate Pastor Takeshi Takazawa said, “This ministry effort is specially designed for volunteers to work together as a family unit to serve people in need and develop relationships.”
Yugo Ministries has been taking the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the people of Mexico since 1964. They train and host youth, adult and family teams from the U.S. and Canada to work in cross-cultural evangelistic, construction, and mercy ministry efforts.
Cypress Church partners with missions organizations around the globe to spread the Good News about Jesus Christ to the world with actions as well as words. This summer other teams from the Cypress area have traveled to Ecuador, India and New Orleans to assist individuals and families in need.
Information about global mission opportunities is available at 714-952-3001 or email info@cypresschurch.net. The Cypress Church campus is located at 6143 Ball Road just east of Valley View. Worship services are held on Sundays at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Bible studies and activities for all ages are available. Visit the church website at www.cypresschurch.net.