The Church
Nuestra Senora de Los Angeles (transulated) Our Lady of Angels
In 1999, the local Ejido donated a parcel of land to Sister Josephina, who wanted to build a church to give the people in town a place to gather and worship. She started the construction but was unable to gather the funds and support to finish the church herself.
Over the years, people have continued to gather and the ministry has gathered momentum. Many have come to faith, and the church has become the heartbeat of the community, but the deteriorating structure will soon make it impossible to gather together. There will also be nowhere for couples to marry, or ministries to form. So, this parish is of critical importance to the town.
Baja Church Restoration Mission
Volunteer Team
There are many people in the community ready to help. They are dedicated to the church and volunteer every week. At this time they paint the back alter wall every few months, they move all the pews to sweep out the water when it rains, they wash the floors and clean the parish. They are raising funds to finish the bathrooms. These wonderful people are doing what they can!
Pam and Bill Walton
Pam and Bill Walton frequently visit Baja and have a true heart for the town. They have built their own home there, and are genuinely committed to giving back to the community. Their desire is to help rebuild this church and give the town a worship center where they can experience connection with community and God. Pam has never forgotten the overwhelming emotion she felt the day she walked into the small church for the first time.
Since that time they have made many friends who are also dedicated to the improvement to their local church.
Carlitos
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In Pam's own words:
As I looked around, I was amazed at how much destruction I could see by the weather in this small chapel. The walls were streaked and stained from the rain flowing down.
I was afraid to sit. The pews were in such disrepair. The water damage had saturated and warped them. They were sagging so much, I was literally sitting inches from the floor. Only a couple of pews have 2x4 wood boards to kneel on. The fabric is stained and ripping.
The entire roof looked weak and moldy. Birds were nesting in the rafters making a mess where ever they roosted.
It is hard to describe what the doors look like. They are big wooden and heavy, yet they are falling apart. It takes two men to open the front doors and prop them up.
But, what really touched my heart so deeply was the fact that the floor was mopped clean, the candles were lit and the altar was decorated with artificial flowers. The altar linen was clean and pressed. The parishioners cared about their church and tended to it the best they could!
Pam and Bill have also provided relief to the town after the hurricane Odile, with a project called Baja Strong Off-Roaders Hurricane Relief. This relief campaign was helped by their good friend Cameron Steele, and involved bringing food, clothing and other supplies into town. They responded immediately to the urgent need. Their empathy and generosity comes from a true, unselfish motive of simply wanting to share the many blessings they have recieved in this life.
The town on Bahia de Los Angeles
Established in 1746, Bahía de los Ángeles ("Bay of the Angels") is a coastal bay on the Sea of Cortez, located along the eastern shore of the Baja California Peninsula in the state of Baja California, Mexico.
Overfishing of the region has made it increasingly difficult for residents to support themselves. The local economy is shifting from commercial fishing to guided sports fishing and other forms of tourism. Bahia is home to perhaps a dozen pangueros who specialize in sport fishing.
In 2007, power lines from Guerrero Negro were completed, ending reliance on diesel generators. Every other year the Baja 1000 passes through town. The Bahía de los Ángeles Airport is just north of the town.
The area has a desert climate. At the north end of the bay lies Punta la Gringa and to the south is Playa Rincon. There are 16 islands off the coast. On the eastern horizon lies Isla Ángel de la Guarda separated from the other islands by the Canal de las Ballenas. To the west are the Sierra de San Borja responsible for the occasional hot, dry winds known locally as "Westies" which can go from zero to over 50 knots in a matter of minutes.
Bahía is a stunning beach town, with a community of about 800 locals. The people there do not have the financial resources common to those of us living in the United States, and therefore, are unable to do any of the restoration on the parish themselves. Please consider helping us make this miracle come to life.
