God’s Perfect Timing in Tijuana

I recently had the privilege of visiting with Fatima, Pedro, and their two young daughters. They welcomed me into their new house, built just last month by a group from Fresno, CA. Inside, the house still smelled of fresh lumber, and the yellow paint color still crisp and clean on the outside. They sat on a twin bed, that also functioned as a couch during the day, while I sat in an old chair next to a piece of plywood that was the kitchen table. While we talked, their daughters played in the next room (later we would learn the kids were drawing on their faces!).

Fatima showed me the small stained-glass piece that the group had given them. She and Pedro recited as many names from the group as they could remember, wishing that they could remember everyone. Recounting moments from the house building process brought a smile to their faces and a few laughs.

I simply asked how the process had been for them, which kicked off quite the testimony.

Pedro first talked about his work several years ago, which was going well until his old boss found out about his daughter’s medical issues. Ashely, 8 years old, has a heart condition that doesn’t send enough blood to her brain. As a result of this, she has a fairly severe learning disability and requires specialized medical attention. When Pedro’s old boss found out about this, he let Pedro go in favor of another employee who would be “lower cost to employ.”

Discouraged, Pedro stayed home for a while and Fatima found work selling and certifying fire extinguishers for a small company. About a month later, Pedro joined the same company and got to know the owner. When the fire extinguisher business went through a tough time, Pedro offered the idea of expanding services to also offer pest fumigation. The owner agreed and the business turned around. The owner even said to Pedro that the fumigation services income had saved the company!

At Fatima’s request, the company owner added Psalms 51:12 to the company’s logo. It now accompanies her and other employees everywhere they go, because it’s on their uniforms. She says that it’s often a talking point with customers, and she’s eager to share the Word when asked.

Still without a stable place to call home, Pedro and Fatima applied for a house through a different organization in Tijuana. They ended up on a waiting list for years and felt strung along with false promises. Until a few months ago, Fatima found her way into Unidos por Siempre to offer fire extinguisher and fumigation services. She met Maria and ended up applying for a Doxa house.

At the same time, the group from Fresno wanted to add another house that needed to be close to the other two they were already scheduled to build. Pedro and Fatima’s family was a perfect fit. Fatima recounts her experience and how she didn’t truly believe until the delivery of cement, rock, and sand showed up at their property. A week after the slab was poured, the group showed up to build the house in 3 days.

Throughout their lives, Pedro and Fatima recount how God’s timing in their kids, health, work, and house has been perfect. They recognize that it’s not easy; in fact, harder to live a life as a Christian. Pedro shared that before becoming a Christian, he would do whatever he wanted, falsely believing that he knew best and life was as good as it gets. Pedro emotionally says, “to be Christian is to surrender your own will and know that God’s timing is perfect.” Listening to Pedro and Fatima, it’s clear they dwell with God as they are wise beyond their years and obedient to His call on their lives. Fatima closes our time together by saying that “God has a purpose and timing for everything, and his promises never arrive empty.”