Our Journey Through Time
Explore the rich history of Ensenada Mission Foundation and our impact on the community.
1988-1990: Laying the Foundation
In 1988, Randy Wray and Greg Woods began surveying potential mission trip sites in Baja California to find suitable locations for youth group mission trips. They were drawn to Ensenada for its relatively peaceful environment, the local church, and its people. The church had a central location that served as an ideal base for mission work, and its members were actively involved in helping others. Additionally, Ensenada seemed to be a more accessible and less remote location compared to other areas, and it posed fewer safety and logistical concerns. This initial exploration laid the foundation for future mission work.
The following year, in 1989, Rudy Wray and Greg Woods led the first mission trip to Ensenada. The trip focused on building relationships, preaching, teaching, and encouragement by learning and singing Spanish songs. This effort continued until 1998, establishing a long-term connection with the church in Ensenada. During these years, they also worked on various small projects such as making cement floors and cleaning up land.
In 1990, Randy Wray, along with several youth group members, joined an annual mission trip to the City of Children in Ensenada. This experience provided valuable insight into the long-tenured and necessary work by many churches, individuals, and organizations on behalf of the City of Children. While this work was essential, it also instilled in Randy a call and desire to focus on other fields and places that were underserved, aiming to address different needs within the community.
1996-2000: Expanding Efforts
In the fall of 1996, Rudy Wray, Randy Wray, and Tim Casey visited on a survey trip to begin looking at building projects in the area. During this trip, they learned of a need in San Quintin to help the preacher with building a house. Upon returning home, they began raising money and making plans for the project. By the summer of 1997, Randy Wray and Tim Casey led the first mission trip team from Eugene. This trip marked the beginning of construction on the parsonage in San Quintin, further expanding their mission efforts. This was a very challenging work as the team was not experienced at all in building with cement blocks and cement. They quickly learned how to make cement, carry cement, and spill cement everywhere. The team formed a lot of transport lines, moving cement and bricks to the real pros.
In the summer of 1998, the mission team began construction of their first house project in Ensenada for Glafira Puebla. Along with the construction work, the team continued to build relationships, spend time making friendships, and encourage the local church and community. In 1999, they constructed a fence and retaining wall for Alfredo and Ines Navarro. In 2000, the team enclosed a patio for classroom space and a fellowship area. They also sent a team to Vicente Guerrero to assist in church building construction.
2001-2017: Building and Renovating
Over the next few years, the mission team continued to build and renovate houses for various families. In 2001, they built houses for Cesar Valdez and Ivan Valdez. In 2002, they constructed houses for Gaston and Dorita. The following year, in 2003, they built a house for Gloria, a worker at the City of Children in El Sauzal. In 2004, they built a house for Jose Tello, the preacher in Rosarito. In 2005, they constructed a small house for Claudia Navarro.
The mission team also focused on improving church facilities. In 2006, they worked on the building's floors, main dining area, and second-story study rooms. In 2007, they built a house for Cuate and Tere Valenzuela. Due to instability within Mexico in 2008, they could only send funds instead of a team of workers, marking a significant turning point in the mission work. That year, they funded the construction of a house for Chuy and Jobis.
In 2009, they built a house for Julio and Lala Velez in Ejido Zapata, San Quintin. The following year, in 2010, they constructed a house for Judit's family. In 2011, they built a small house for Martin and a room for Adriana Ramirez. In 2012, they built a house for Sonia. In 2013, they constructed a house for Juanito Paredes and his family, followed by a house for Oscar Gonzalez in 2014. In 2016, they built a house for Axel and Cuquis' family. In 2017, they constructed a house for Estela and her family and purchased land for the church in Ojos Negros, preparing for a significant future project.
2020-2022: The Covid Pandemic
Due to Covid travel restrictions in 2020 and 2021, the mission team was unable to travel but continued to support the community in other ways. This period marked a challenging time for the foundation, but it also demonstrated the resilience and commitment of the team to continue supporting the Ensenada community even in the face of unprecedented global challenges.
2023-2025: Recovery and Resilience
Work in Ensenada resumed in 2023 with church building renovations to accommodate the growing congregation. This marked a significant milestone in the foundation's recovery from the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
In 2024, a team collaborated with the Ensenada Church to build a house for Bernardo Contreras and his family, continuing the foundation's long-standing commitment to improving living conditions in the community.
The Ensenada Mission Foundation was officially established in 2024 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization to continue the mission's work in Ensenada. This formal establishment represents a new chapter in the foundation's history, providing a more structured approach to its charitable efforts.
As of 2025, project planning is underway to ensure the mission's continued growth and impact on the communities they serve. The foundation looks forward to many more years of service, building on its rich history of community support and development in Ensenada.
