We are back in the U.S.

We are back in the U.S. !  Thank you for your prayers.  We are so grateful to God for bringing us all safely through the border.  He has always been in control of every situation and has provided protection for all of us.  Our group picture just shows that our Tecate Family is special and that God has definitely been working in all of us this week no matter what role we played.  As we make our way home tomorrow, pray for safety on the road and alertness for the drivers.  It will be a Good Friday!

View the Group Photo here!

The Final Day

Today was the last day of building for all the different work sites. This means that we were finally able to give the keys to the families we had been serving all week. I talked to many students when I returned to camp, and a lot of them talked about the impact building the houses had had  on both themselves and their faith. It is truly amazing to see how much God has worked in the hearts of the students and the lives of the families we had helped. 

Hannah W. 

Day 5 - God's Glory is Evident

It is too difficult to sum up this day for our teams because it was God at work.  There were some various challenges all through this week, but God has been faithful in every aspect, and it was for His glory that the families and children that our teams have ministered to are blessed.  But, it was not just a blessing they received from God in the form of a physical house, but it was the blessing of God's love that was poured out on them through the servant hands and feet of all of our teams.  It is without a doubt that our students, staff, and parents all experienced a change in their own hearts either after handing the keys to the house to the grateful families, kicking a soccer ball, jumping in a bounce house with little kids, or teaching woman about nutrition and hygiene.  It is only through the work of the Holy Spirit that made that possible.

We thank you for your prayers and support, and we ask that you continue to pray for a safe journey home.

Check out pictures from Day 5!

Check out new blogs from Tecaté Adventures!

We need your Prayers!

We are on the last day of building.  We need your prayers and ask God that He will give us strength to finish, keep us safe, sustain us, heal us, and watch over us. Thank you so much.

Tecaté Adventures Updates

There are more updates to the daily blogs from students.  We may have more blogs tomorrow from other students so watch out for that update.

Click here for Tecaté Adventures Updates!

Day 4 - Rain Day

The Lord decided He needed to water the earth specifically in Mexico and today had to be that day to do it.  But, God is good, and He knows that His work is being done through the hands and feet of the TKA Tecate Teams.  It did indeed rain at the very end of our morning chapel time, and there was a rush to get into our vehicles and drive off to the sites knowing that there could be little time to do any work.  Fortunately, God heard your prayers and the rain only lasted for a short time, work was not delayed in any way and all of the sites continued to build their houses.  Our ministry teams for Kids Club, Soccer, and Family Health were also not affected by the rain.  Another blessing was that there were clouds covering the sun so it made it much cooler for all of the work that was going on.  It did get a bit chilly with the wind, but it was bearable.  Thank you so much for praying and God really listened to your prayers.  Our camp is very relieved and thankful and are getting ready to finish tomorrow.  Pray for strength and endurance to finish strong and well.

Check out Day 4 Photos!

It is Raining!

It is currently raining.  Please pray for our Tecate Team that we will be able to get some work done today and the rain will stop. Thank you for praying!

A Fun Day!

Today was a blast! We put up the exterior walls yesterday, and today we put up the remaining inside walls and started on the roof. All of the students seemed very interested and excited to see how much progress we made. Several students braved their fear of heights and worked on the roof. There was one man who is a friend of the future homeowner that has been helping us out, and today we witnessed a miracle! He was working on the roof and almost fell off the edge, on the side where there was a drop right next to the house. He caught himself by one arm, and he said there were angels that were holding him up. It was great to see the Spirit of God work through us on our site today! 

I am so thankful for the opportunity to learn more about our students, and to see them so active and engaged. I only knew one or two of the students on my site before this trip, but now I know so many more! They all have such great personalities, and they are so helpful to each other. I know we are changing the lives of the people who will end up with a home by the end of this trip, but it is encouraging to see how much our own students are being impacted as well. 

-Maryah Barna

Day 3

Today was our first full work day at the sites.  Each site has made tremendous progress, putting up all four walls, some interior walls, electrical installation, and roof framing.  The teams are working well together and seem eager to get the house finished.  It was a much cooler day and people were making sure to hydrate.  Also, today was the first day of all of our ministry teams.  Kids Club, the Soccer Ministry, and the Family and Health ministry had their first day.  It was quite the busy day.

Please pray for each site and ministry tomorrow because there is a forecast of rain, we just don't know how much.  Thank you for your support.

Check out Day 3 photos!

Read new Blogs from Tecaté Adventures!

Tecaté Adventures

We have some new blogs up from our Adventurers.  Click here to see the updates.

Day 2 - First Day of Work

The camp woke up to a beautiful sunrise and the ambient sounds of Mexico.  Students either woke up too early because the first night is always the hardest to adjust to in Mexico.  After breakfast had been served there was a quick meeting for the entire camp about how to prepare for the work day.  As soon as the meeting was over, site groups met together and then headed out to their sites.  All of the teams made pretty good progress even though it was half a work day.  Continue praying for all of our sites as it was hot and people were struggling a little with the heat.

Click here for Day 2 Photos

Check out the 2019 Photo Gallery here!

We Made It!

We have all made it across the border and are in Mexico!  We ate a hearty meal of tacos and salad and are recounting the day's traveling events.  Thank you for your prayers and support, God was definitely watching over our whole team.  There will hopefully be more blog updates later on tonight.

Click here for Day 1 photos

-TKA Tecate Blogmaster

This year we are adding a new segment called "Tecaté Adventures".  It will feature some of our TKA students sharing their experiences through a daily blog or vlog.  We are excited to have this segment as part of our regular blogging entries along with other Tecaté participants.  Check back daily on the Tecaté Adventures tab during the trip for updates!

A-Team Made it across the Border

In the most unlikely events, the A-Team was able to cross the border last night and actually stayed at the Tecate Ranch.  It is truly a blessing from God because in previous years, the A-Team would have to unload the semis that had all of the equipment and make several trips back and forth across the border.  In most cases they would not have stayed at the Ranch, but by God's work He provided a smoother border crossing.  The A-Team still has much to do so please keep them in your prayers.

A lucky few were able to go to Costco in Mexico to get some supplies and food.

-TKA Tecate Blogmaster  

Tecate Work Site Student List

We've updated our student list for the worksite.  Please check the latest list.

A Team Luggage Drop Off

It was quite a thrilling morning as cars were arriving at TKA only to find 2 semi trucks and lots of workers in construction vests directing traffic and unloading lots of luggage.  This is really the start of the Tecate Service Trip.

Our Tecate A-Team woke up early in the morning and started off their day loading these semis with lots of luggage from all of our participants going on the trip.  There were members of A-Team directing traffic, unloading cars, tagging luggage, moving equipment and tools, and labeling anything else that is heading down south.  These boys were efficient and worked very hard, they finished in about 3 hours.  After all of the luggage and equipment was loaded, the semis left the school and will rendezvous with the A-Team on Thursday.  Please keep those semis in prayer as they make their way down to Mexico and that there will be a smooth border crossing on Thursday when the A-Team arrives.

Check out more pictures of the day!

-TKA Tecate Webmaster

Tecate Site Meetings

For the last two weeks, TKA held the Tecate Site Meetings so that building site teams can get to know each other and go over some brief information on the experience of Tecate.  Students, staff, and parents met in individual classrooms and also participated in hands-on training.  For many students, this was the first opportunity they had to wield a hammer much less hammer a nail.  Other groups went over the process of cutting wood while the Kids' Club team practiced some of the songs they will sing at their sessions.  You can feel the excitement, nervousness, and anticipation in the air as each of these groups are looking forward to being together and serving in their ministries.

Check out more of the photos Meeting #1 and Meeting #2

TKA Tecate Praises and Prayer Requests

As we are preparing for the trip this week, please partner with us and support our team through your prayers.  We depend on our Heavenly Father to watch over us and we put our trust in His divine plans for this trip.  We know that He is in control and that He will be glorified.  Please read our praises and prayer requests below.


Praises:

Many TKA staff on the trip this year- and for the first time in years, there is a staff member on every worksite. New house plans (last year) and updated manual (this year) will make the houses easier to build. Recently purchased a storage container in Mexico so we can start storing some of our items in Mexico (and not have to bring back and forth in semis every year).


Prayer Requests:

• Unity as a Leadership Team (and physical health and mental stamina as we prepare) 
• Safety and health for all on the trip 
• Mexico/U.S. Border- no issues and no closure 
• More adult volunteers and enough vehicles 
• Chapels: that God would bless our student band and give them joy as they lead worship. Also for three staff members that are sharing testimonies and for the Talent Show on Tuesday Night. 
• No rain!! 
• Pastors in Tecate: Pastor Francisco, Eric, and Jose 
• Protection against Tech Issues (that computers, printers, etc all run smoothly) 
• Logistics of getting our supplies across the border (both into Mexico and upon the return in to the U.S.) 
• God would prepare all of our hearts: the families we are building for, parents & students participating, and leaders 
• 16 Families we will be building houses for, the growing relationships with them and that they will be blessed 
• Children we will be ministering to through Kids Club and that many would come to know the Lord 
• Women coming to Family & Health that they would be blessed physically as well as spiritually 
• Youth to be ministered to through the Soccer Outreach program
• Kindness, support, and encouragement on all the sites

-TKA Tecate Webmaster

TKA Tecate 2019

2019 TKA Service Trip Verse

"For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything,
but faith working through love."

Galations 5:6

Welcome to this year's 2019 TKA Tecate Service Trip Blog!  We are excited to embark on a new experience this year and are eager to find out what God has in store for us.  Our ministry teams are back again which include our House Building Teams, Soccer Ministry, Kid's Club, and Family & Health Ministry.  We are so thankful and appreciative for all of the preliminary groundwork that has been done to make this trip possible especially when we have over 400 participants.

As we move closer to the departure date, there will be some updates as to what we're currently doing to prepare for the trip.  Come check out the blog later!

-TKA Tecate Webmaster