Our family will be traveling to Mexico over Christmas to serve the poor and forgotten families of Tijuana. Working closely with Spectrum Ministries we will serve in orphanages, food distribution lines and wherever else they need us. Ryan and Joy have done several such trips in the past, and have longed for the day when our kids could share in this experience. So, with only five more Christmases to spend together, we decided now was the time. Instead of exchanging presents this year, the kids will get passports, plane tickets and a sweet 15-passenger van! 

Of course we know the real gift will be a week that they will never forget. While they will see first-hand what abject poverty looks like, they will also experience the joy and sacrifice of selflessly serving others who have no possible way of paying them back. It is our prayer that it will open their eyes to the suffering of others and that they will become better, stronger, more aware people because of it.

The purpose of this GoFundMe is to raise funds to be used during our week of service (i.e. purchasing produce to hand out, gifts for kids in the orphanages, and stipends for the Spectrum volunteers). All contributions need to be received by December 16. We have committed to paying all trip expenses ourselves (flights, van, lodging, etc.) by using money that we would have spent on Christmas presents. None of the money you donate will be spent on our personal expenses.

We are grateful for this opportunity and are excited to see how God blesses our family through this experience. Thank you for partnering with us financially, if you're able, but we covet your prayers for protection and grace most of all!

Ryan, Joy, Gunnar, Coleman and Ainsley