Holy Trinity Lutheran Church from Edmond, OK, is becoming one of Ysleta Lutheran Mission Human Care’s (YLM) annual Servant Event ministry partner.  This is their 3^rd year to love and serve people on the border of El Paso and Juarez, with their numbers growing as they bring new people with them, expanding the exposure of mission work among their brothers and sisters in Edmond.

Open and flexible to helping where needed, Holy Trinity has dedicated their time, talents, and treasures to different mission and service opportunities on every mission trip.  Last year, they did their first house build for a family from Iglesia Luterana de San Lucas in Anapra, the westernmost suburb of Juarez.  San Lucas, one of two mission churches in Anapra, serves one of the more impoverished neighborhoods of the area.  YLM partners with three other churches in Juarez, two in Chihuahua, and one in El Paso, for a total of 7 churches working to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.  Supporters like Holy Trinity, and many others, help share God’s grace and love in areas of the world in crucial need of it.

The third week of October, Holy Trinity’s team of 13 dedicated themselves to a different kind of project. Their desire to bless those who serve others had them renovating and remodeling on of the oldest buildings on the YLM campus, the church building, which has a rich 100+ year history.  In fact, all but two of the buildings on the YLM campus are over 100 years old!

These brothers and sisters from Holy Trinity gave a helping hand to their brothers and sisters of San Pablo Lutheran Church and YLM, by making it possible to remodel and renovate aspects of the church building.  The foyer, which had a suspended ceiling and fluorescent lighting, as well as old, outdated wood paneling, was completely taken apart on the first day. The new drywall and ceiling were painted in fresh, clean white, and new LED foyer light along with beautiful inside French doors with glass welcome you to enter San Pablo.  The entrance to the vestry was redesigned, making it easier to access, along with a new closet for much needed storage space.

The vestibule to the right of the church, which also leads towards the bathroom, was given much needed repairs, with a new ceiling to replace the older sagging one, patched up cracks and white paint along with an LED light making it an open and inviting access into the church. The restrooms were also given attention, cracks patched up, new paint, replaced mirrors, and little details like frames and curtains giving them a relaxing atmosphere.

And the most unexpected repair of all was the church bell in the steeple of San Pablo, which after many years of silence, rings once again!  Praise the Lord!

On Thursday of their week serving at YLM, several of the members worked together to repair and install new metal roofing panels on the open warehouse between the dormitory and the Food Warehouse. This warehouse has been used in the past to store large donations, such as multiple school desks, chairs, church furniture. Due to wind damage pulling up several of the roof panels, rain and dust have caused some losses, but thanks to Holy Trinity, it will once again be a useful space.

The joy felt by members of San Pablo for the blessings given through Holy Trinity led to a Friday evening of good food, good weather and good conversation. The gratitude for what Holy Trinity accomplished during their week with YLM was expressed, not just during the Friday night cook out but also Sunday morning, as people arrived to the clear sound of the ringing bell.

If you would like more information on YLM’s Servant Event ministry, give us a call at (915) 858-2588
or send an e-mail to service@ylm.org today!