Trinity Lutheran Church of Crown Point, Indiana returned to Ysleta Lutheran Mission Human Care (YLM) for their second year of service, this time with a much larger team and a desire to serve across the border. Last year, six of their members came for the first time, partnering with one of YLM’s mentoring Servant Event teams, with the desire to learn more about YLM and its Servant Event ministry. They helped with stateside projects and spent a day in Anapra, where they led VBS at Iglesia Luterana La Santa Biblia in Anapra. Their experience left a deep impression, and they returned home eager to come back.
This year, they arrived with eighteen people ranging in ages from eight to seventy. Five of last year’s team members returned, and the rest were first timers. Several had mission trip experience, but most were experiencing mission work for the first time. Their excitement was clear from the moment they stepped onto campus.
The team spent their week across the border, helping build a house for a family in need and leading VBS at two of YLM’s partnering mission churches in Cd. Juárez. The parents of two eight-year-old twin boys shared their hope for their sons to see God’s goodness even in poverty-stricken places like Anapra. They wanted their boys to understand joy and faith flourish even in difficult circumstances.
Ella, a young woman of twenty-three, came with her grandmother. She was grateful to be welcomed by people who were not her “normal” church family. She shared her heart openly throughout the week, and her joy was contagious. At the end of the trip she shared, “This was the best time of my life, and I am definitely coming back again.”
Each day, the team returned to campus with tired bodies and bright smiles. They spoke often about the joy they saw in the children they taught and the humble kindness of the family who provided lunch for them every day. Their stories were filled with gratitude, laughter, and awe at seeing God’s love reflected in the faces of the people they met.
They left with memories they will carry for years and with hearts filled by God’s Spirit. Every single person, even the youngest, expressed a desire to return next year. Ella plans to share her experience at her church and hopes to bring friends with her.
“But if they aren’t sure about it, I plan on coming with my grandmother and her church anyway.”
If you are interested in serving through YLM’s Servant Event Ministry, give us a call at (915) 858-2588 or send an email to luz.soto@ylm.org
