A third team of Servant Event missionaries from Family of Christ Lutheran Church in Ham Lake, MN, set out to make a difference through Ysleta Lutheran Mission Human Care (YLM) during the last week of May. This vibrant team, mostly young adults aged 19-30 from six different churches, brought an infectious energy from Family of Christ’s Young Adult ministry. Their journey from Minnesota was more than just a drive; it was a chance to forge new friendships and bond over shared excitement for the mission ahead.

Arriving Saturday night, these enthusiastic young men and women were eager to dive into their work. Sunday afternoon, they helped clean up the YLM campus, disassembling cardboard boxes, and clearing weeds, dry grass, and trash. A meeting with YLM’s Servant Event Director helped them coordinate their efforts for the upcoming house-build.

With hearts full of purposeful love, Monday morning began with loading up two YLM vans and a pick-up truck with tools, food coolers, and water jugs. They circled together in prayer before crossing the border, arriving at the building site within an hour. There, they were warmly welcomed by Ines and her husband. Before hammering the first nail, the team gathered again for a prayer, with Ines asking for God’s blessings on their work for the week.

The camaraderie and laughter filling the air were incredible, especially considering many of the team members had only met three days prior. Conversations throughout the day revealed a profound desire among these young adults to deepen their faith, creating strong bonds, which grew with each passing day. Their teamwork was amazing to see, as they all worked together to accomplish daily tasks; painting, measuring, cutting, and nailing were completed ahead of schedule, with experienced members mentoring the newcomers.

Local children brought an extra dose of joy, joining the team to paint siding and trim, and play with soccer balls brought by these young adults. These interactions were a true blessing, enriching the experience for everyone involved.

Several team members shared how this mission trip with YLM nurtured their relationship with God, strengthening their faith and igniting a passion to share the Gospel with others. Grace, a first-time participant, beautifully captured her experience on a social media post: “From fellowship with each other, the people in Anapra, and most importantly, growing closer to Jesus, this trip has given me a whole new perspective and shown me how much I have to be grateful for. It was so evident throughout this trip that God is present in all things.”

This mission was not just about building a house; it was about building faith, friendships, and a deeper connection with God. The experience was transformative, leaving a lasting impact on everyone involved.

If you are interested in more information on how you and your church can become missionaries
through YLM’s Servant Event Ministry, call (915) 858-2588 or send an email to luz.soto@ylm.org