Give a Gift to Change a Life

The 2009 Christmas Giving Catalog is now available online and in printed form.  Those of you who wish to reach out with God’s love to the poor this Christmas will find 17 ways to do so here.  With your help, YLM will be blessing 1,500 children with Christmas presents this month.  Also we plan to build three homes in Juarez and distribute 1,470 food baskets, 836 jackets, 600 hygiene kits and 1,200 blankets.  Reach out to the people of El Paso and Mexico by giving a gift today:

Choose from 17 ways to

help others this Christmas

Fire Damage Update

One structural engineer has assessed that the building damaged by fire this spring needs to be torn down.  The damage from the fire as well as a plethora of problems would make it extremelly difficult to bring up to code.   The insurance company sent their own structural engineer today to provide a second opinion.  Architect Mark Warrick from Austin, TX, is working on drawings to replace the building with housing for missionaries, students, and volunteers.  The families that were displaced by the fire have found housing:  Ann and Joe in an El Paso apartment and the Ramos family in YLM’s building #2. Please pray that today’s visit from the structural engineer will provide enough confirmation to expedite the adequate provision of funds to rebuild our missionary/student housing.

One structural engineer has assessed that the building damaged by the fire needs to be torn down.  The fire damage as well as a plethora of other problems would make it extremely difficult to bring up to code, and there is question whether the old adobe walls would function properly.

The insurance company sent their own structural engineer today to provide a second opinion.   Please pray that today’s visit from the structural engineer will provide enough confirmation to expedite the adequate provision of funds to rebuild our missionary/student housing.

Our pro-bono architect, Mark Warrick from Austin, TX, visited YLM last month to discuss design options, look at site plans, and take measurements.  In addition to designs for a replacement building, he is drawing up a master plan for the entire mission complex!

The families that were displaced by the fire have found housing:  Ann and Joe in an El Paso apartment and the Ramos family in YLM’s building #2.  Thank you all for your prayers concerning this.

Repair, Start from Scratch, or Both?

Right now the big question concerning the YLM building that burnt down recently is whether to repair it, knock what remains down and rebuild, or to do a combination.  Before, the building was designed as two apartments with two bedrooms each.  It has been used to house volunteers and missionaries over the years.  In the earliest days with was used for various youth group activities as well.  Our hope is to rebuild in a way that would provide flexible housing for the sake of missionaries and students of the Lutheran Hispanic Missionary Institute.  Below is a basic drawing of the original building and a “conversation-starter” drawing that would repair the existing structure with additions that would result in three apartments.  With the opening and closing of certain doors, each apartment could be configured as a one bedroom to 4 bedrooms.  (Disclaimer:  The drawings below were done by a vicar with no design experience.  Suggestions/critique is welcome.)  We are still in the process of negotiating with Church Mutual Insurance regarding their coverage of the tragedy and obtaining restoration estimates from builders.

Missionary/Student Apartments after fire

Floor plan of building 4 before the fire.

A “conversation starter” drawing of a three aparment design with flexible room connections.

Fire Update

Rita, Rosy, & Javier surveying the damage

Diana Ramos with salvaged glasses that were to be used at her Quinceañera on May 2nd

It has been a flurry of activity since Monday’s fire.  The Ramos family is living in #3 where Chris Hill lives.  He is out of town this week visiting family in Colorado.  Next week, Rita, Diana, & Jonathan will move to another location to be determined.  The Hernandez-Saldaña family is currently packed into her sister’s home and will be moving into the YLM dormitory until the end of May when our next servant event group is scheduled.  A self-storage unit donated by Faith Lutheran Church, Troy, MI, will come in handy for the temporary storage of their belongings. (once the smoke smell is removed)

We are thankful for the several individuals and churches who have expressed their desire to help the families recover as well as help YLM with the rebuilding of building #4.  Arturo, a YLM volunteer has been scraping up the charred debri and wheeling it over to the dumpster.  An electric water heater has been donated for Viki’s residence.

Does anybody know the best way to get the smell of smoke off of items that can’t go into a washing machine?  Fabreeze?  (That may be a helpful donation for the Hernandez-Saldaña family.)

Tuesday we had a plumber and electrician come to isolate the burnt building.  About 5 buildings share the same gas meter and electric meter, including the kitchen/dining hall, and they were all shut off on Monday night.  The Hot Meal Program served cold meals on Tuesday and Wednesday.

I am still gathering specific information that will be helpful to those who are wanting to help.  The Ramos family lost all their belongings, so clothing, food, school supplies, fun items…,    The insurance adjuster came on Wednesday to do his thing and we’ll see what they will provide.   I’m trying to discern the best plan for the restoration/rebuilding and exactly what extra assistance will be needed.

If you would like to be added to our email newsletter, I will be updating everyone early next week  Sign up here:   http://www.ylm.org/joinmailing.html

–Vicar Stephen Heimer

Fire Burns YLM Building

At about 9:40pm on Monday, April 13th, calls were made to 911 as flames spread throughout  Rita’s apartment at YLM. The residence that lies next to the dining hall is divided into two apartments where Rita (the servant event cook & volunteer missionary) and her children live and where Ann (YLM staff & mariachi member) lives with her husband and father.

The fire completely destroyed the interior of Rita’s apartment along with all her belongings. Smoke damaged the other apartment. Insurance will cover 90% of restoration costs; however thousands of dollars will be needed from YLM. We are beginning an appeal for financial donations for the buildings as well as donations to assist Rita’s family. Please pray for her and Ann’s families as they figure out where to live, and pray for us as we determine how to restore the building.

After the fire…

After the fire, Rita sorting through salvaged belongings

Inside the apartment

a bed room

in the kitchen