Projects
Find out more about our current projects and how you can get involved.
Serving in the Hills of Paraíso (Paradise)
Each month, we visit some of the most humble and kind people living in the hills of a small community called Paraíso (Paradise). These are immigrants living in Mexico known as the Trique and Mixteco people groups. They are hard workers and labor tirelessly in fields earning the equivalent of $10-$12 per day when work is available. Rain prevents work from being done in the fields, causing field workers to have no income to provide for their families.
For many of these people, it is difficult to obtain basic necessities, including fresh water, food, and medical care. Some families live in makeshift homes, constructed from cardboard and tarps, which provides little protection from the elements.
Tragically, children as young as 12 years old leave school to help their families by caring for younger siblings while the parents work or join parents working in the fields. Blessing Bags International (BBI) has been blessed with many opportunities to make a difference in the lives of these families. We provide our amigos with monthly blessing bags of food, along with shoes and clothing. Over time, we have established personal connections and are able to address other needs. For example, we blessed a mother of six to ensure access to clean water and now regularly support women who create fair trade items.
You are invited to join us in sharing the gospel, addressing essential needs, and spreading God’s love among these people. Your support will make a meaningful difference in the lives of these struggling immigrants.
Mission Center and Home in Paraíso (Paradise)
Our mission extends beyond serving the local families living in Mexico; we are excited to provide family-friendly mission trip opportunities.
As we embark on the journey of establishing a presence in Ensenada, B.C., México, the Lord has graciously blessed us by providing a property where we can put down roots and build a ministry center and home in Paraíso (Paradise!) Lots of building supplies are needed and many hands to help complete the work. Having lived in our camper throughout the U.S. and in Mexico for nearly four years, we are eager to see how God works out the details of establishing a ministry center and home for us to live among the people we serve. We invite you to consider partnering with us and join us on this journey!
Providing Food for Orphans in Mexico
Blessing Bags come in all shapes and sizes. For the Casas Hogar (orphanages) we serve in Mexico, they often come in the form of giant care packages filled with food and essential supplies.
These orphanages provide a safe, loving, and stable environment for children in need, offering them food, shelter, education, and care. Many of these homes support children who have faced crises, giving them the opportunity to grow in a nurturing, Christ-centered environment where they receive guidance, discipleship, and a strong foundation for the future.
Through Blessing Bags International, we help supply these homes with much-needed groceries and essential items, ensuring these children continue receiving the care and support they rely on.
Join us in making a direct and lasting impact by supporting orphanages in Mexico through giving, praying, or partnering with us.
Serving the families at Comedor Genesis
A Comedor is essentially a soup kitchen, serving food to families in need. Comedor Genesis was established during the COVID pandemic. Its mission is to provide food to individuals who are struggling to provide for their basic needs in a community called El Zorrillo. They offer meals for up to 150 men, women, and children five times a week. Comedor Genesis has struggled to obtain basic foods, including beans and rice. Mayela, the founder, tirelessly reached out to people on Facebook and local churches for help. Obtaining the food necessary to feed these people physically has been a challenge. Finding a way to also feed these people spiritually was equally challenging. The gospel was only being shared on holidays such as Easter and Christmas.
After Blessing Bags International joined forces with Comedor Genesis, everything has changed for the better and God’s glory! We began providing giant care packages containing one month of food for the comedor. The gospel is now shared before each meal, leading to transformative experiences in the lives of many. The comedor is now a place filled with hope. In addition to the monthly food care package, we hand out dispensa (bags of food) for families to take food home. We have distributed Bibles, clothes, shoes, reading glasses, and provided for other needs on a more personal level.
Join us as we continue to help meet the physical and spiritual needs of families at Comedor Genesis.
Supporting Women Through Fair Trade
Many women in the communities we serve struggle to provide for their families due to a lack of job opportunities. Rather than simply offering handouts, we believe in creating opportunities for these women to earn income with dignity.
Juliana, a 73-year-old widow from Oaxaca, has been weaving for most of her life. Though her family helps where they can, providing for her own needs—especially medication for diabetes—has been difficult. By purchasing her woven bags, we ensure she has a steady way to support herself and her family, especially when work is scarce.
Cynthia, a mother of three, faced a different struggle. Unlike Juliana, she never had the opportunity to learn a trade. With young children at home, she felt stuck. Wanting to offer her a sustainable way to provide for her family, we taught Cynthia how to create handmade jewelry. Now, she is able to earn an income while caring for her children at home.
Through this initiative, the Ohaneson family purchases these handmade goods so they can be resold, with 100% of proceeds going directly back to these women and their families. By choosing to support fair trade, you’re making a direct impact in their lives.