My New Passion - Homes for the working poor

10 years ago Stephanie and I began an organization, Baja Bound Ministries, with the goal of serving the needs of Christian ministires throughout Baja. Over the past 10 years we have had a significant impact on ministries in Tecate, TJ, Rosarito Beach, Routa De Vina, and Ensenada.

This year we began a new phase of our ministry with the construction of our first home for migrant workers south of Ensenada. I AM HOOKED! Ben Gaines and I have set a goal of building 100 homes in the next 10 years for the working poor. If you are interested in getting involved, we have already begun reserving weeks for groups next year. So contact me NOW!

Bellow you can see a brief overview of our project.

Otay Ranch Community Vs. Eastlake

Our First Home (all 600 sq. feet)

In 1989 Steph and I were driving around this new area of East Chula Vista called Eastlake. Tumbleweeds, and a LONG DRIVE on East "H" st. from the 805 was all you had to look forward to "back in the day". There were maybe two or three new home developments -and a lot of young families. Having recently been hired by a church in East Chula Vista we were eager to put roots in the community. So a little more than a year after we moved to East Chula Vista - we bought our first condo. It was little more than 600 sq. ft. - and we purchased it for the unbelievable high price of $95,000. Worse yet - San Diego county was just poised for a major real estate downturn. OUCH. However, through God's grace and a market turnaround - it turned out to be not that bad of an investment.

I was thinking about this lately because around East Chula Vista many friends at church mention how scared they are about the Real Estate decreases in Chula Vista. Our church in Otay Ranch has many residents of Eastlake and Otay Ranch that are FREAKING OUT over the steep decline in prices. My advice - hold on - things turn around. And to anyone who complains about how Otay Ranch does not have enough places to eat, or good new young churches, I say Otay Ranch has grown and advanced way faster than Eastlake did.