Jayne led the children through interactive Bible stories

For three days, the San Pablo Lutheran Church-Ysleta Lutheran Mission Human Care (YLM) campus was filled with the laughter and joy of children during the after school hours.  With the help of their church, South Shore Trinity Lutheran Church in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, Jayne Kurpius and Kathy Meyer spent a week at YLM, bringing with them many items donated for the use of furthering God’s love through acts of kindness.  With the help of several San Pablo members, the Children’s Camp took place during those three days.

From three to seven in the evening, over thirteen kids came to the San Pablo-YLM campus for free haircuts, courtesy of Kathy, and fun, high-energy games followed by interactive Bible stories led by Jayne.  Kids who came received free soccer balls along with shower kits, which included full-size hygiene items for them to share with their family.

Kathy gave free haircuts to over 13 children

“We packed the truck with all sorts of donations we knew YLM would put to good use,” Jayne shared with a laugh as she recounted the twenty plus hour drive from Minnesota to El Paso, “Aside from the balls and shower kits we planned to give away during the Children’s camp, we also brought travel size hygiene items, backpacks and school supplies, office supplies, toys, shirts, and even some furniture.”

Through the items brought, along with their time and the use of their talents, Jayne and Kathy reached out to the surrounding neighborhood with flyers and large colorful signs to advertise the event.

Children and their parents were provided dinner all three days

Not only did the kids get to enjoy games and experience Bible adventures, but they also enjoyed dinner along with their parents, which was supplied through Thrivent Action Team funds applied for by Jayne and Kathy.  Several of those parents who stayed throughout the event stepped in to play with the kids, enjoyment evident on all their faces as the rules of kickball were explained to the younger kids by the older ones.

“The more who came, the more the community around San Pablo Lutheran Church and YLM can be aware of what’s offered here –hope, kindness, compassion, and God-inspired love,” Maritza Muñoz, a member of San Pablo Lutheran Church, shared in regards to events often taking place on the 4.2 acre campus, “YLM facilitates the ministry efforts of San Pablo Lutheran Church, and together, not only can we reach out to those in need through simple acts of kindness, but God’s love is shared, changing lives in a way we can never do on our own.”

Parents joined in on the fun games and Bible adventures

This kind of event is a wonderful opportunity for San Pablo Lutheran Church to reach out to its community with love and kindness.  With members of San Pablo present and active in events such as this, those who don’t know of God’s love can be made aware of the areas of mercy found at San Pablo and facilitated by YLM.

“It’s a blessing to be able to facilitate these ministry opportunities for the church,” Rev Dr. Karl Heimer, CEO of YLM, stated as he headed over to the playing field between buildings to open the Children’s Camp event with prayer, “Whether its San Pablo here in El Paso or La Santa Biblia and the other mission-churches across the border, the ministry they do belongs to them.  YLM merely serves a bridge between them and those who, like Jayne, Kathy and their church in Minnesota, want to help change lives through simple acts of kindness.”

Through mission teams, whether two people or sixty, the mission-churches of El Paso and Juarez are seeing a growing harvest of people needing the changing love of God.  It is through all of us God will change lives.  We merely continue to be faithful, love as we are loved, show mercy and continue to show kindness through simple yet tangible actions.