10/21/2026
On October 10, tragedy struck YWAM Rancho Abierto, one of MBI’s location partners. They welcome our ongoing prayers and support. Here is a brief report:
“Over the past week, your prayers and love have held our YWAM Rancho Abierto community together during this sudden loss. At 10:30 PM on Saturday, October 10th, Tropical Storm Rachel caused a massive flash flood that struck our home and base. During the storm, we lost our dear translator and sister, Keila Sandria. While we grieve deeply, we do not grieve without hope, knowing the life of devotion Keila lived.
“Keila's passion was to know God and His Word. She knew she was right where God wanted her—serving and translating for our Family Discipleship Bible School. She walked out her calling faithfully and graduated with honors. Keila, thank you for listening to God's voice, obeying without hesitation, and running your race to the end. We are forever blessed to have walked beside you. Well done, good and faithful servant.
“Local first responders were quickly overwhelmed by the scale of the disaster, as the flood had devastated the canyon, and several others were reported missing further downstream. Help soon arrived from our broader YWAM family as staff and volunteers from YWAM Ensenada joined the search. On Sunday, Ronnie Byrley and Adam Tardiff successfully guided first responders into Rancho Abierto. Given the injuries sustained and the number of young children on base—coupled with the fact that the ranch road was destroyed and impassable—an air evacuation was ordered. On Monday morning, our entire team and staff were safely airlifted by helicopter into Ensenada. Staff and volunteers from YWAM Ensenada pressed on with the search for Keila on horseback. Her body was found on Tuesday, October 13th.
“The damage to Rancho Abierto and our home is significant. As we begin clearing debris and repairing infrastructure, we know that this process will take time and resources. At the base, we lost 11 cabins, the tool room, and the yurt. At our home, we lost 24 solar panels and our gasoline-powered heavy-duty wood chipper. The entire Vida Nueva campsite and tent structures are gone. Fences and trees are down. The list could go on and on.
“Many of you have reached out asking how you can help. We want to invite you to stand with us—not out of a sense of tragedy, but as partners in the ongoing story of what God is doing. Through the end of the year, we are open to hosting work teams to help us. Monthly and one-time gifts of financial support for Rancho Abierto can be made through Commission Ministers Network.”
--Brian and Sue McCoy
