Jonathan and Christine Drieling, beginning as teenagers at ages 14 and 15, were part of mission trips to Ysleta Lutheran Mission Human Care (YLM).  They spent a week of their summer throughout their teenage and young adult years up in the mountains of Chihuahua, helping to build a fish hatchery, rabbit coops, a kitchen and dormitories, and bringing tap water from a spring to supply water, helping the native Tarahumaran people sustain their families throughout the year.

“We learned how to use what God provides,” Christine shared as she painted the walls of the little house to become the residence of San Pablo Lutheran Church’s new assistant pastor, “If we didn’t have hammers, we would use a rock.  Really, working in Sikachique taught us skills we wouldn’t have otherwise.”

Now, some thirty years later, they dedicate time every year to come to YLM and serve, bringing with them their children –Liam, Kiah, Silvja, and this year for the first time, baby Xochitl.  Both Jon and Christine want serving others to be natural for their children.

“It’s not just about telling them it’s important to serve others,” Christine explained, “We want them to see the opportunities to give and take action to do so.  We want them to see opportunities to help.  Beginning at fourteen and fifteen, serving others has changed our lives, and we want them to experience what service to others can do for them personally.”

“Teaching our children about following God’s will and living out His plans is very important to us,” Jon added, “and the best way to teach this is to model it for them, as well as we can.”

Christine shared how they’ve allowed their children to serve as they desire, opening an opportunity for God’s purpose for them to play out.  Liam, Kiah and Silvja especially like helping on Saturday mornings’ Food Pantry Drive-Thru, loading up blankets, soap, cans of sauce or gallons of juice into the trunks of people’s cars.  They like learning skills like painting, and simply enjoy being in an environment where it is normal to serve others.

A sweet story of how they saw this take place with their children was when, several years ago, they brought their oldest, who was about two years old, to YLM with them.  “We were wondering what he could do at two years old…how could he possibly serve when we’re here?  I remember how he went around hugging child after child, and they would hang on to him.  We realized, that’s how God called him to serve at the age of two.  These kids he encountered needed hugs.”

The Drieling family has become a missionary family, which is their dearest desire, and there’s no need to travel to far-off countries to dedicate their entire family to mission work.  “That’s the blessing of this place…we can serve people from a different city, or different country with Mexico just across the border, different culture, different language, and if an emergency should arise at home, we can be there in a couple of hours by plane.”

For most years, the Drielings come down to YLM from their home in Minnesota once a year –last year, they came down three times.  For this pandemic year, they came down one time, but were able to stay for nine weeks.  “This place is so spread out, we could do our normal life –school and work –and we have the beautiful blessing to serve in the afternoon and evenings wherever they need us.”

While here, they had their fourth child, five-month old baby Xochitl, baptized at San Pablo Lutheran Church by Rev Dr. Karl Heimer.  The Heimers have been a part of Jon and Christine’s lives since they were teenagers, and for that reason, not only did they have Pastor Heimer baptize the newest Drieling, but they also asked Rev. Stephen Heimer and his wife Krysia to be godparents.

“This has always been a safe place,” Christine added as she moved towards the kitchen to paint the walls before cabinets and counters were installed, “It has changed how Jon and I live, and we feel like having our children exposed to different people and seeing how this place blesses them will only help them be better people.”

“We, of course, desire to serve God and others here at Ysleta,” Jon said, “but being here and serving provides us with so much as well.  We grow closer to the Lord here, just naturally, and learn to rely upon Him so much more.  Our experiences here keep us grounded, both spiritually and financially, and prevent us from getting caught up in worldly, materialistic lives.”

YLM has always been a place on a mission to change lives, for both those who are in need and those who come to serve.  Jon and Christine hope more families will seek to bring their children to YLM where they can experience mission work and service to God and others in a safe and welcoming environment.

“There is always, always, work of many types that needs to be done at Ysleta,” Jon explains, “that requires all different types of people and skill levels. But the important part is that it requires people.  All people are needed, from skilled and licensed trade workers to children who can help carry blankets.  And this is where families fit in wonderfully – it is a natural way to live out Jesus’ command in John 13:34-35 and show Him to the world!”

“My advice to families who are wanting to introduce their children to mission work is for them to trust God has a plan for their purpose,” Christine answered when asked, “Trust God’s plan and purpose and give them the opportunity for God to allow them to experience what God wants them to experience.”

“A new commandment I give you: Love one another.  Just as I have loved you, so also you are to love one another.
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

John 13:34-35

Interested in bringing your family to YLM to love and serve God and others?

Give us a call at (915) 315-6704 for more information!