October Happy Mexico Anniversary!
It’s hard to believe we’ve been here three years now. We arrived in October of 2009. It seems like yesterday when we look at all we still want to do and at the same time it seems like we’ve been here much longer when we think of friends and family that we miss.
I kind of like to reflect on what has happened in the time we’ve been here to help me keep things in perspective. It has been quite an adventure and God has been at the center of it the whole way. I’m sure everyone around me sees it differently but here’s my story.
Year one was one adjustment after another. Finding our way around, trying out a new language, living in another culture (though similar to what we were used to but so different too), settling in to a new home, new ministry, new routine, new food, new currency, new coworkers, new church, new friends,it was a whirlwind of changes. It was kind of like living in two worlds the new and yet tied to the old. Our truck was stolen and miraculously recovered.We went on a mission trip to mainland Mexico with our students. We were surrounded by college kids all day who love the Lord and are looking for ways to serve Him and don’t seem to mind that we are older and have trouble speaking their language. Somehow by God’s grace we not only survived but found ourselves enjoying the challenges and the growth we were experiencing in our lives.
I think year two was the year for expanding our horizons. One of the key members of our team at the college moved back to the states and my role changed quite a bit. I worked closely with him but still at times being in charge of both operations and project was a bit overwhelming. We were able to finish a lot of projects that weren’t quite finished. We also took over hosting the teams that come to help. I didn’t get much training in that area and had to figure o
ut a system to keep up with all those details. It was so fun getting to know people from all over coming to serve. I think all our previous mission trips with the high school group helped prepare us for that. The college is in a remote valley north of town and since we were spending so much time there we were feeling just a bit isolated from the Ensenada community and other ministry opportunities. I like to surf and Pilar likes the beach and somehow we found a surf ministry on Saturday mornings to help.Ensenada Surf and Skate has a Bible Study then teaches local kids to surf. It was just what we needed to get us in the community doing something on Saturday mornings. We like the guys and gals that come each week and enjoy watching them grow. We went on a couple of surf trips with them and helped with their surf movies and skate outreaches. 
Pilar was asked if she would host a women’s Bible Study at our house on Tuesday mornings. She was really missing the relationships with her friends in Florida and needed some ladies to fellowship, study, and pray with. It has been amazing to see that group grow as they study God’s word. As we look back we see God’s hand and His faithfulness in helping us every step of the way.
Year three has just been incredible. It has been a year of amazing miracles of God’s provision at the Bible College. We can only praise God for all He is doing. We have had some great interns who have been such a blessing this year. They serve for four to six months. We have continued to get such great students at the College who are so encouraging to watch and see growing in their walks with the Lord. Our son Alex was one of them and he graduated in May. The summer was filled with teams visiting and working. It was so amazing to see God at work in their lives as they served with us. Most of the students couldn’t believe all the changes they made over the summer. We started the summer with very little money for the building projects and a lot of projects to get done. Each team that came brought funds with them that were just the amount we needed to finish the new dorm 
and the addition to the chapel. We also had a Canadian contractor join our staff. His construction knowledge and work has been nothing short of incredible. God’s timing is always best. Not only do we see fruit from the Bible College we see God’s work in the lives of those coming to Surf School. Last week one of the guys lead the Bible Study for the first time and he did a great job. Two or three others have been given the opportunity to speak and were such a blessing to us. I lead a Bible study for men on Thursday nights. We just finished the book of Mark. Yes I was missing that too like Pilar, it just took me longer to realize it. There’s just something about studying the Bible with a bunch of guys who love the Lord. We also joined Saving Grace World Missions this year. They are the Mission agency that processes our support, keeps us up to date with the IRS, and helps us keep in contact with you. They email our newsletters,host our web page, send out prayer requests, and check up on us periodically to see how we are doing.
What’s up for next year? Only He knows for sure. We pray that He will continue to use us and give us opportunities to serve Him. We are so excited to be here and want to thank each of you for your prayers and support. You are so much a part of who we are and what we do. What an awesome God we serve.
To contact us by mail: By email:
Leo and Pilar Gray leo@ccbcmexico.com 3621 Vista Campana South #75 Pilar@ccbcmexico.com Oceanside, CA 92057
Posted in Monthly Update by Mike Thiemann with comments disabled.