Sometimes all it takes is one invitation.
After hearing about Ysleta Lutheran Mission Human Care (YLM) through another congregation in Minnesota, four women from Christ the Servant Lutheran Church in Vadnais Heights decided it was time to experience the ministry for themselves. Although they had never served with YLM before, they came ready to share Christ’s love through Vacation Bible School, trusting God to lead the way.
With a team of only four, they hoped to join another Servant Event group during their week of service. The young adults from Family of Christ Lutheran Church in Ham Lake welcomed them with open arms, making them part of their team from the very beginning. While Family of Christ built two homes in Ciudad Juárez, several of their young women stepped away from construction throughout the week to serve alongside the Christ the Servant team, helping lead Vacation Bible School at Iglesia Luterana La Santa Biblia.
Together, they hosted a four-day morning and evening VBS centered on one simple truth: Jesus loves you.
Each day focused on a different reminder of God’s care, teaching that God is our Creator, God knows everything, God is love, and God is forever. Through Bible stories, songs, crafts, games, and shared meals, children, youth, and adults experienced the love of Christ in both word and deed. The team delighted in seeing entire families participate together, with adults joining the children in singing, creating crafts, and learning God’s Word.
What surprised them most was not the number of children who attended, but the number of adults who came as well.
Throughout the week, more than 200 children, youth, and adults participated in the ministry. Every day, the team prepared and served lunch to those attending the morning session while also welcoming families arriving for the afternoon activities.
Conversations around the tables became opportunities to build relationships, listen to stories, and share life together. What began as a Vacation Bible School quickly became a place where friendships were formed and God’s love was experienced by every generation.
On the final day, the team had the opportunity to meet Rev. Oscar Saavedra, the newly called pastor at La Santa Biblia. As the week came to a close, the congregation surprised the volunteers by singing a song of thanks. The simple gesture moved the team deeply.
“As much as we tried to show them the love of Christ,” the team later reflected, “they showed us even more.”
For Lori Moore, the experience was life changing.
“When we were getting the tour on the first day,” she shared on the final day of Vacation Bible School, “I was sold. I didn’t want to leave this place.”
The four women returned home with full hearts and a new understanding of life along the border. They have shared their experiences with family, friends, and members of their congregation, telling stories of the children who eagerly gathered each day, the adults who welcomed them with warmth, and the joy of serving alongside fellow believers they had only just met.
Their first mission trip became more than a week of service. It became an invitation into something larger than themselves.
This is one of the beautiful ways God works through YLM’s Servant Event ministry. One church shares its experience with another. New volunteers step out in faith. Partnerships are formed. Relationships grow. And through simple acts of kindness, God continues changing lives every day.
