Fallbrook residents take mission work to Mexico, Malawi and beyond

Rick Monroe

Special to the Village News

Carlos Sales of Fallbrook has been a pastor for 27 years but doesn’t have a traditional church. After working 16 years in North County churches, he went into mission work 11 years ago. His “congregation” is worldwide.

With wife Lisa and their family and teams, he ministers to people in the far reaches of the world – the Philippines, Costa Rica, Mexico and Malawi, Africa – through Reach the Hungry, a missions organization he founded.

“Our purpose is to mobilize churches to put their faith into action by providing opportunities to serve alongside missionaries reaching the physically and spiritually hungry throughout the world,” is their mission statement on reachingthehungry.org.

Sales and a team spent Thursday, Dec. 17, in an orphanage in Tijuana. This is the fifth year he has taken presents and given a Christmas party for the children ages 14 and under.

“A church provides shoes, socks and backpacks, and another gives funds to buy clothes,” Sales said. “One of my daughters created an Amazon wish list with a picture of each child and a gift they would want. Each child received a $25 gift.”

Presents were taken to the orphanage for safe keeping a week prior to the party. This year it was a smaller group of about a dozen, Sales said, because some of the volunteers who signed up were not able to keep the commitment.

Participants gathered in Escondido and carpooled to the border, parking on the U.S. side. They walked across together and then took a chartered bus to the orphanage.

Fallbrook residents Robert and Tamara Landes were among the volunteers bringing joy to the orphanage. Tamara Landes is children’s ministries pastor at North Coast Church in Fallbrook.

Activities included lunch and a presentation of the Christmas story by the students. Sales also gave a gospel message. Students from a Christian school in North County also sent individual Christmas cards with the idea of establishing pen pals.

“We make several trips a year to the orphanage,” the pastor noted. “It’s important to have a continuous presence. We do work projects like painting and remodeling, along with lunch and getting to know the children.”

The Tijuana outreaches are a great way for Christians to discover the blessing of mission work, Sales said.

“We believe that local ministries are the best method for reaching the physically and spiritually hungry around the world,” states the webpage. “Because of this, we are committed to supporting missionaries so that their opportunities and impact are maximized. We do this in three ways: Equip, Empower, Encourage.”

Equip means providing strategies and capital, he explained, allowing missionaries to become efficient and self-sustaining.

Empower means providing training and tools, enabling missionaries to operate fruitful ministries.

Encourage means to provide spiritual and emotional support, ensuring that missionaries remain ready to serve others.

All the trips to the orphanage in Tijuana are for one-day. The 2022 schedule is for April 30, July 2, Sept. 3, and Dec. 15.

Other destinations involve travel and are for a week or more, though restrictions from COVID-19 have caused problems. “We have a 2022 schedule and are praying we’ll be able to make the trips.”

“Our trips to Costa Rica are filled with opportunities for evangelism, ministering to women and children, soccer outreaches, and serving alongside our partner, Pastor Christopher Arista and Calvary Chapel Palabra Viva,” Sales said. “If you love evangelism, this is an excellent trip for you.”

The January trip to Costa Rica has been canceled and the remaining trip is July 22-30.

The Philippines journeys are filled with outreaches, distributing care packages, running basketball camps, kids’ clubs, and eyeglass clinics.

“We also have the opportunity to support and serve our missionary partners, the Wicks,” Sales said. “This trip is perfect for those who love to work with children, outreaches and basketball!”

The 2022 schedule for trips to the Philippines is June 12-22 and Aug. 21-31.

Malawi is the farthest destination and trips typically consist of water-well installation, Jesus film outreaches, women’s and children’s ministry, an orphanage visit, discipleship training, and a two-day safari.

“This trip is great for anyone unsure of their talents and giftings in ministry, Sales said.

Two trips to Malawi are planned, on May 1-13 or Oct. 2-14.

Sales and his family moved from Vista to Fallbrook four years ago. His three daughters are married, and his son Chase lives in their home. Sales is also active in officiating at wedding services.

Anyone interested in knowing more about the mission's work can contact Sales at [email protected].