A Letter From My New Friend Justin...

Dear Ventana,

Where do I begin? What do I say? How do I say it? Well I’ll start by saying THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! My time at Ventana Ministries was undoubtedly the most paramount time in my life thus far. I went into my mission trip with the idea that I would be helping or changing the lives of others less fortunate. However, I quickly learned that it was not the less fortunate people who were getting helped, because they were already happy and content, but it was me who had an awakening in my life. I had many a good talk with the Ventanaro's and many of the staff members at Ventana. All of which had a major impact on my perspective of the Christian faith. I have a quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson that I use in my day-to-day life that helps me not loose sight of the greater picture in my life. "What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” That very quote was personified within myself as I searched my soul to accept Christianity as my faith. My eyes in a sense were opened to what the bible calls the “truth.” I have so much more to learn and discover about my own relation with God. I will come to the Ventana family for any questions I may have, but O also urge you to ask me questions!!! I will answer:) I found myself on Saturday sitting in the van waiting to leave with tears running down my cheeks. I felt as though I was leaving something that I was not ready to leave but most of all that my heart did not want to leave. I write to you all today Monday the 23rd with that same feeling of heartache. I can not thank you all so much for helping me but most of all I can't express the respect, love and hope that I have for all of you. You all have a gift. You were all brought to Ventana not just because your common love and faith in God, but because God has assembled one of the most amazing group of people in a small town in Baja California. Porvenir, Mexico.

Love
Justin Velazquez.
Please forward to all Ventanaro's and Ventana staff.