Grapevine[News from the Ventana Farmstead]

Summer 2014

A Sparrow Finds His NestConfirmation from God

The

Blueberries to Bottles

What ARE we doing?

Good Morning, San Bruno!

Unexpected Ministry

Ventana Ministries

The Grapevine Issue #1

www.ventanaministries.com

See It Through

STAY CONNECTED: PO Box 530435

San Diego, CA 92153-0435 doug@ventanaministries.org

(951) 808-3897

www.ventanaministries.com

The Great Commission is too big for anyone to accomplish alone and

too important not to try to do together.

Cre

ated

and

Writ

ten

By: S

teph

anie

John

son

BAM: Business As Mission !“Blending Sacred

and Secular” !“Billy Graham, Henry Blackaby and Wayne Grudem are focusing more of their attention on the heretofore neglected role of business — and those who run them — in missions. This increased attention is part of an even broader movement, perhaps the first great missionary movement

of the Twenty-First Century, in which laypeople from every profession are discovering, or rather, rediscovering, their role in missio Dei. Four camps within this movement: 1) Tentmaking 2) Marketplace

Ministries 3) Enterprise

Development 4) Business As

Mission [BAM]” !(article: BAM Primer)

1) Pray for spiritual insights and discernment as Doug leads a weekly discipleship group with local businessmen.

2) Pray for our storefront grand opening… that was supposed to be in May… then June… and now (hopefully!) July.

3) God’s continued favor as we follow local, state and Federal laws in opening a business in Mexico.

4) Business leads for our storefront.

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PRAY!

BAM!

MISSION: A SPARROW

FINDS HIS NEST !

Why are we doing this? At the core, it is to help lost people be found. We may be doing this through business, but the main mission is always Jesus. His calling for us to make disciples drives us. So when we can enable men to provide for their families, by teaching them how to do a great job and providing an opportunity for them to do things for themselves, we see the fruit of discipleship. That is why it is our honor and pleasure to introduce you to Joel Roa. A man brought to us by God who knows a lot about “fruit.” !Last fall Joel invited Doug to come watch the process of harvesting and crushing grapes for wine, at the winery he managed. Upon meeting the owner of the winery, Doug began asking about the process, eventually hitting upon the question, “What happens when something breaks down?” The owner replied that she had discovered her worst nightmare, seeing how the nearest store was in Temecula, CA. “If someone opened a wine store here it would be a gold mine,” she stated, probably not thinking much further than that. You all, however, can see where the lightbulb went off in Doug’s head. Wine Store? Temecula? BAM? Time to pray.

!There was just one major issue: who knew enough about the industry? As the idea resonated deeper and deeper into Doug’s core that morning, he said, “Lord the only way this business model could work is if you brought me someone like Joel Roa to help get this started.” The same Joel Roa who already had a full-time job… !Three weeks later… “knock, knock, knock.” Joel was at the door with tears welling up in his eyes. After nobly speaking up about something at the winery, he had been fired. It doesn't pay to stand up against the boss’ friends. He and his family had less than a week to move out and nowhere to turn. We offered him our home across town that was open for a few months. Then, within the week, we offered him a job. Tears were turned to smiles that week as Joel affirmed that he would love to be a part of this business, to help the community. And he has been serving with us ever since. !Now every Monday, Doug and Joel meet together for discipleship and prayer. Hearing Joel’s heart for the Lord and seeing how God answers prayer are only a few of the reasons we know there is more to a wine business than just grapes. There is fruit to be had in pouring into others, in trusting God to provide, and in seeing a man like Joel work hard to get this ministry off the ground.

Meeting together for discipleship, with some

fresh tortillas and goat milk coffee.

Vision: To serve the common good of Mexico through Christ-centered businesses and sustainable community development. !

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MOBILIZE: GOOD MORNING,

SAN BRUNO! !

A balmy 85 degrees wafted in on an ocean breeze through rows of tall palm trees and desert cactus marching down to pristine cobalt blue water. Hidden between tourist towns, this is not the background you would expect for the small unknown fishing community of San Bruno, but it may be just the right place for a hidden gem. !This last February, Doug traveled with local neighbor Carlos, to the South of Baja to open a twin rehab center to the one already in Porvenir. It was meant to be a trip of hauling trailers and soaking up some beautiful scenery, but God’s plans were bigger. In only three days, a divine appointment for Doug, with one ruddy-complexioned man, was obvious in this little town of 400 people. Something about George stood out, apart from his severely limited Spanish and hard-worn gringo skin, and it didn’t take long to see why. !A short nine months ago George was addicted to alcohol, easily knocking back three cases of beer every day. In his mid-60’s he was at odds with his Christian wife and wanted nothing to do with church. That wasn’t the end of it though. God captured his heart and changed his perspective,

leading him from beer… to breakfast. !George now cooks for 55 local kids every morning at five o’clock before they go to school, greeting them with English and a smile. And just like Robin Williams in his Vietnam-flick, George is known for his own version of the catch phrase, “Good Morning, San Bruno!,” all over town. The kids love him and he is changing how he is seen in town. !Yet George was alone. Unable to communicate with anyone but his wife, George had no way to grow or be challenged in his faith. So God brought Doug down, and they clicked. Through walks on the beach, whale watching boat trips, kayaking, and long talks in the evenings, this normally quiet man opened up his life, and home, to Doug. And even though Doug was there to serve in one way, God showed Doug that He has His own plans. Doug came to move trailers but ended up being there to disciple, challenge, and encourage George. Now they talk once a month, giving George the doctrinal discipleship he needs to remain steadfast in the Lord and giving Doug the inspiration that God can use you anywhere. Whether you are an alcoholic with little to live for, or a missionary with a hankering for the beach, you never know what to expect when in business for God! It could mean starting a rehab center for many, or becoming a beacon of hope for one. You just have to be willing to follow the trail God lays before you, just like George.

Evening walks and local adventures,

discussing life and faith.

Mission: To build businesses where people can come to: discover their talents, use their gifts, discuss their faith, and delve into the marketplace.

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MINISTRY: BLUEBERRIES TO BOTTLES !

Weren't you were going to be farmers? What happened to the blueberries? Why start a wine supply store? It has only been a year since we ended our final year with Ventana students, but that’s enough time to confuse even the most plugged-in of people, and for us to learn to be even more flexible with God’s changes.

After three years of prayer, counsel, and processing, we have shifted ideas from Ventana as we knew it, to blueberry farming to support local abused women, to bottles and all that is needed to make the wine inside them. So, if you are wondering how we got to bottles, know that it has been a gradual process of reflection and discussion over many years.

It has been obvious to us that there are many immediate needs in our community that need long and short term solution. God tugged on us to find our place in those issues. As a board and ministry, we started looking into BAM: Business As Mission. After talking with many blueberry farmers and seasoned BAM missionaries, it was clear that blueberries alone were not going to be financially sustainable. A wine supply store on the other hand, resonated with these

missionaries. If you can get through the cultural baggage, they said, you would be able to do a lot of good. We have now talked to seven local missionaries about opening a Christian business in the wine industry, and have received seven resounding yes’, including one from our own pastor, Marcos. Though we expect some opposition, this Mexico-missions guru believes that our town is finally ready for something like this. Just one more sign of God’s confirmation for this “Business As Mission.”

With no business like this in our wine valley, we are moving forward, always prayerfully, towards opening up a wine-making supply store. The over 30 professional wineries in our area can then come to us when their pumps break in the middle of crushing grapes, instead of waiting two to three weeks for supplies to cross the border. This business can provide the profits needed to make not only a future blueberry farm possible, but also to provide more stable jobs for the community, while supporting abused women and children in our town.

Perhaps what is even more exciting is the sustainability of this process. We believe in “Trade, Not Aid.” People want help, not a handout. They want to be able to use their own hands and skills to support their families. With good, reputable jobs, we can give them this opportunity to make a life instead of just being handed one.

Psalm 128:1+2 “Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord,

who walks in his ways! You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands;

you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.”

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ventanaministries.com31938 Temecula Parkway, A332 Temecula, CA 92592

info@ventanaministries.com (951) 808-3897

WHAT ’S NEXT? Stay tuned for the opening of the

store, trying to beat the summer heat, and a wild tale or two. After all, it is a new business in Mexico!!!

JOIN US Thank you for your interest in the Ventana farmstead! You can play a huge part in the ministries you read about. Please join us in

prayer and/or send donations to: Ventana Ministries

31938 Temecula Parkway, A332 Temecula, CA 92592-6841

Ventana Ministries 31938 Temecula Parkway, A332

Temecula, CA 92592-6841 (951) 808-3897

info@ventanaministries.com

www.ventanaministries.com