Sonoda Foundation
November Thanksgiving House Build
Is He Worthy?
Just 2 hours south of the U.S. border lies a community of hard working indigenous families from Southern Mexico. Many travel over 2,000 miles from a city called Oaxaca to migrate north looking for better opportunities for work. Here, in the agricultural fields just south of Ensenada, B.C. Mexico in a community called Maneadero, many work at least 6 days a week, making as little as $140 pesos a day. Or $7 usd. And for them, this is a big opportunity. They are not homeless, they are merely houseless. Many have thriving family units working and sacrificing for each other.
The Sonoda Foundation has been given a huge blessing by introducing us to the Juarez Family, who are a prime example of a hard working family, sacrificing & doing whatever it takes to give their family a better life. Our goal is to share the love of God, to bring them hope, inspiration & belief.
In November 2022, during Thanksgiving week, a team of 15 of us from various cities and states in the U.S. traveled to this very community to answer the call of God. He called us to rally our families, friends & resources to choose the week of giving thanks to bless a family by sharing the love of God. With your support, we raised over $30,000 and climbing to help our efforts to cover the costs of the building material for the house, transportation, fuel & insurance, lodging and food, water tank for the house, as well as support the local community in numerous ways to help establish sustainability. Our fundraising also included supporting: 1. The local church, Comunidad Encuentro, who will be joining us throughout the week to minister to the community as well as help with the construction. 2. Local organizations like Baja Bound & Baja Ed, who make it possible for us to build the homes and support local education scholarships. 3. Clothing, Feeding & Ministry Programs provided by the Sonoda Foundation & Comunidad Encuentro Church. Coming soon are the pictures and videos of our mission. To continue to partner and support our mission, please see the links below. This mission is ongoing as we will visit and serve the community for years to come.
Because Of Your Help, We Can Change A Life, Change a Generation, One Life At A Time
Panoramic view of the community from the Juarez home.
Meet The Juarez Family
Grandmother Maria, was born in Oaxaca and grew up in a small town called Santo Reyes. She was widowed 30 years ago and raised 4 children on her own, 3 still living in Oaxaca. Maria only speaks Mixteco, her native indigenous language. She and her son, Casimiro migrated to Maneader, looking for a better future. Casimiro is 25 years old, his wife Feliciana is 22 years old. They have two small children, Leslie 3 & Marcos, who is 1.
The Juarez family have already purchased and settled on their dirt lot where they've constructed their home with whatever material they can find. They are on dirt floors and the construction may make it through one full season of heat, wind & rain. When it rains, water will flow through these homes and there floors will be muddy. When the wind comes, they may blow there covers away and leave them without shelter. They do not have locking doors or windows. Many have been victims to banditos which require a parent to stay home from work to guard their families.
When asked how having a home would change their lives, they replied that their only dream is to give their children a safe home, where they can play and sleep in peace.
Their Current House
Videos
Click on the music note for sound
3 year old Leslie. She would love a window and a refrigerator with ice.
Wayne meeting and introducing the family for the first time on Saturday, Sept 24th, 2022.
Meeting Maria, Casamiro's mother. She is teaching us Mixteco. Meet our fantastic project leader, Jannette.
Comunidad Encuentro Church Supporting The Sonoda Foundation
For our first Baja house build, the Sonoda Foundation is blessed and privileged to have our own church
here in Mexico, Comunidad Encuentro, come alongside us to not only help us with construction,
but more importantly to minister to the Juarez Family, our team & the community.
Meet Pastors Daniel & Carolina Priego from Comunidad Encuentro Church.
The Sonoda Foundation with Comunidad Encuentro Church, are all meeting the Juarez Family together for the first time. Today is Saturday, October 29th, 2022. This is just the beginning of what we hope is a life long relationship. We are less than 3 weeks from our house building project.
Marguerite with our G Girls carrying blankets, towels & pillows. Meeting the Juarez Family for the first time.
Quick Update From Wayne & Robert on October 29th, 2022. Stay tuned for more.
We are learning some very basic and common words and phrases from Maria in her native Mixteco dialect.
Photos
Mission Accomplished
Meet Our Team
Bill Nichols:
"I'm excited to bless a family with a new home and demonstrate God's love".
Maribel Luna:
"God's timing was perfect. The opportunity came at just the right time.
I still can't believe this is happening.
I just can't wait".
Juan Rojas:
Robert Alvarez:
"I'm very grateful for the opportunity to be dining with Lord this Thanksgiving and serving others. Thank you Lord".
Bobby Alvarez
"I'm very excited to go back for my 2nd trip. I look forward to being able to serve God and His people. And the tacos...
Jewelysa Funakoshi
"I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to serve on this Thanksgiving house build, as I am eager to emulate God's love for His people and to help provide a basic necessity to a family in great need".
Lee, Pam, Ty & Selah Macklin
Dear Lord, You are good and worthy of all glory, honor & power. We thank you for using us for Your work. Please give us our strength to serve. Please give us our words to praise you. Please give us a heart to love as You have loved us. Make holy our work. We love you Lord, Amen!
Will Basilio:
"I'm so thankful for the opportunity to be used of God to serve the Juarez Family. I can't wait to see the Lord work in and through this amazing team that He has assembled for this trip. God is at work!"
AnnMarie Alvarez
"Being of service to others and glorifying God makes my heart smile. I'm excited !!!!!"
Wayne & Marguerite Sonoda
Marguerite:
"Feeling thankful to all of our friends who are partnering with us to serve God's children this Thanksgiving. Excited to get a family off of the dirt floor and into a secure home! Prayers answered!!!
Wayne:
"It's impossible to explain how life changing the experience is for everyone.
You have to be there yourself".
Jannette Guevara
Project Leader - Baja Bound
" I feel so grateful to be able to unite missionaries with families whose lives will be changed in a way only God knows. I pray that along with the house comes hope for things never to have thought to be able to come true".
Claudia Rodriguez Marquez:
"Being able to be a part of this wonderful mission is such a blessing. It's always a great thing to help a family in need. Although this is my first mission in Baja California, I am very excited to help in any way I can".