In early November, Ysleta Lutheran Mission Human Care (YLM) welcomed a dedicated team from three states: Nebraska, Missouri, and Michigan. The members of this team were made up of couples from Trinity Lutheran Church in Madison, NE; Faith Lutheran Church in Branson, MO; and Holy Ghost Lutheran in Monroe, MI —eight of them were returning volunteers, joined this year by a new couple from Norfolk, NE who were eager to serve. The week’s work was described by these new servants as “addictive,” a fitting term for the joyful service taking place at YLM.

Their main mission for their week’s stay was to build a home for Enrique, Maria Elizabeth, and their two sons, Antonio and Enrique. The building site is in the Lomas de Poleo colonia of Juarez, where many of these “little houses” are being built, grabbing the attention of those who pass by due to their colorful exteriors.

This team worked efficiently, completing the 12’ x 24’ two-room house ahead of schedule, allowing some to return to El Paso mid-week to help with campus projects at YLM. They tackled tasks like cleaning warehouses, sorting toy donations, and repairing concrete work around San Pablo Lutheran Church’s doors. Notably, four members of this team installed San Pablo’s beautiful hand-crafted wooden doors earlier this year.

This new house received by Enrique and his family, represents more than just shelter—it embodies God’s grace, freely given, without any expectations or requirements, transforming the lives of those who receive these blessings.

Enrique’s journey to homeownership began last year when he saw a neighbor receiving a similar blessing. The love shown to Sophia and her son, Angel, by a team from Branson, MO, gave Enrique an incentive to approach and find out what the reason behind their generosity was.

His approach led to conversations about faith, which then led Enrique’s family to Iglesia Luterana San Lucas, where he now serves as their council president. Grateful for this blessing, as it would give them a home of their own after years of living with his mother-in-law, Enrique and his family actively participated in the building of their new home, with Maria Elizabeth preparing meals each day as a gesture of thanks, and young Antonio and Enrique helping the crew.

The heartfelt bond between the team and Enrique’s family strengthened as they interacted each day, through work, conversations, laughter, and prayer. The group prayed together regularly, with Enrique and his 11-year-old son leading prayers for the group a few times, expressing gratitude and joy for God’s gifts. On the last day, the home dedication gave the whole family an opportunity to celebrate a new beginning—one of faith, hope, and community.

YLM, located just a mile from the border, offers a unique place for both local and international mission work. Teams like these bring hope, building not just homes but lasting connections that reflect God’s love, one family at a time.

Call (915) 858-2588 or send an email to luz.soto@ylm.org for information on how you,
your family/friends, and your church can be the light to the communities of Cd. Juarez and El Paso.