Pastor Chuy - Providing Refuge for the Forgotten

Watch Pastor Chuy's story on YouTube

Pastor Chuy Mondragon is a VMC missionary in Mexico. We met him years ago when one of our youth short-term mission teams went to serve in Tijuana during Spring break. At that time, Pastor Chuy was sharing the love of Jesus with elderly people who were living on the streets. Senior citizens in Mexico do not receive medical or Social Security benefits. Many find themselves without a home when they are no longer able to work and family members have no means or space to care for them. Pastor Chuy was first burdened to help when he saw an elderly man eating from a trash can at a bus stop.

Pastor Chuy began inviting those he would encounter to stay on his personal property, and he would tell them about Jesus. It wasn't long before Pastor Chuy realized that the need was far bigger than his own home had the capacity to support.

In 2001, Pastor Chuy and his wife, Magdalena, founded El Refugio, which means, "The Refuge." Homeless seniors are able to live at El Refugio free of charge. The elderly residents are fed, clothed, taken to medical appointments, and most importantly, embraced with God's love. Currently, El Refugio houses 180 senior citizens.

Pastor Chuy sends greeting to his "dear brothers and sisters" at Ventura Missionary Church. He says he is grateful for the many years that we have prayed for the ministry and sent teams to serve. He is impressed by the fact that so many youth, pastors and adult leaders have come down over the years. He thanks us from the bottom of his heart.

If you would like to support the work that Pastor Chuy is doing in Mexico, note "Missions & Outreach" on your check or bill-pay through your bank, or select "Missions & Outreach" on the giving type pull-down menu of your online gift.