Mariachi San Pablo joined Zion Lutheran Church on their posada

For many years, Christmas celebrations in the borderland have involved mariachi music, children in nativity costumes, walks around neighborhoods, piñatas, candy, and food. With 2020 disrupting the normalcy of life events, this year had the mission-churches in El Paso and Juarez eager to resume this beloved tradition.

Over a thousand children received new toys at all the YLM partnering mission-churches

“We were able to get all the toys to Juarez by the first Friday of December,” Maritza, a member of San Pablo Lutheran Church and volunteer at Ysleta Lutheran Mission Human Care (YLM), explained during a staff meeting, “Over a thousand toys, all brand-new, along with 900 blankets, were delivered to Santisima Trinidad, where Pastor Hernandez oversaw the distribution to the other mission-churches.”

Thanks to this timely arrival of toys, the mission-churches in Juarez were able to distribute toys and blankets long before Christmas Day. Pastor Hernandez shepherded the Santisima Trinidad congregation through their posada on December 12^th. Several of the youth receiving Stay in School Scholarships have been learning guitar from Pastor Hernandez and helped with the music, along with organizing and directing the children during the pastorela, that is, the nativity reenactment. Members of the congregation brought plenty of food and candy bags for the children to take home along with their brand-new toys.

Mariachi San Pablo led the posada at San Pablo Lutheran Church

Members of Santisima Trinidad contributed food for their posada

Mariachi San Pablo was busy during this posada season. On December 15^th, they played at Zion Lutheran Church, following behind a young Mary, Joseph, and half a dozen little angels. After several “rejections” in their search for lodging, everyone ended back at Zion, where a piñata and candy bags awaited the children, and a delicious assortment of food and desserts were set out for everyone to enjoy.

On December 22md, Mariachi San Pablo helped lead San Pablo Lutheran Church through their posada, which had Mary and Joseph, along with the Star of Bethlehem and angels, traverse across the YLM campus in search of lodging, finishing at the Kitchen, where buñuelos and hot chocolate was served before the kids were invited outside for a piñata and candy bags.

Earlier that same day, across the border in Anapra at La Santa Biblia, a reading of the nativity story was followed by the singing of beloved posada songs.  Over three hundred kids received their toys and blankets afterwards. Similar events took place at San Lucas, Cristo Rey, and Kilometer 30 throughout that week. What a wonderful blessing it was to be able to celebrate the birth of our Savior together once again!

By being part of the 2022 Joy Distribution, you will help provide a new toy for a child of 18 months to 12 years old. Toys can be mailed to: Ysleta Lutheran Mission Human Care, c/o Joy Distribution 2022, 301 S. Schutz Drive, El Paso, TX 79907 or you can donate here and apply your donation towards “Christmas Gifts for Children and Youth” so we may purchase toys on your behalf.