For the past decade, Our Savior Lutheran Church (OSLC) of Minot, ND has been sending adult mission teams to serve with love and compassion through Ysleta Lutheran Mission Human Care (YLM), touching lives with each visit through the blessing of home construction. With many of their usual team members being experienced in construction, building homes is where they focus their mission work. But this year was different, bringing a diverse team, not only in skills but in the makeup of the team itself.

Bonnie Rennich, the spirited music director of OSLC and the team’s leader, set aside dates for their 2024 Mexico Mission trip, seeking possible alternate projects for the four who’ve committed to coming. Fundraising made it possible to cover the costs of the construction materials, as well as other aspects of the trip, but finding committed mission participants for the first week of March proved to be tricky.

At the onset of the year, OSLC had a dedicated team of six, ready to build a home for 22-year-old Alondra and her two-year-old son, Sebastian. Their anticipation grew as they welcomed John, a member from Peace Lutheran Church in Grand Island, NE, who was eager to join in on this act of kindness. A few days before leaving North Dakota, the team grew by one, and in an answer to fervent prayer, two more souls joined them merely days before their departure.

Arriving at their building site, the team wasted no time diving into the day’s task list. While some squared the cement slab, others unloaded tools, while Henry and Aiden, the teenagers in the team, assisted YLM’s Servant Event Director in transporting and unloading lumber and siding. Guided by their fathers, the youngsters learned to safely use power tools, while the women, along with Alondra, painted the siding a beautiful, rich blue hue. Amidst all the work, Bonnie found joy in bonding with Sebastian, getting down on the sand for some play time.

Little Sebastian received toys from members of the team throughout the week along with attention and affection. John gifted him a toy John Deere tractor, which added to the child’s delight. Throughout the week, other children joined in on the fun, turning the building site into a place of laughter, joy, and play.

The pinnacle of their mission trip was Friday –the house dedication. Alondra and Sebastian, surrounded by the team and their church family, were prayed over, and their little home was blessed through Scripture, music, and heartfelt words led by Pastor Stephen Heimer. Members of her church, La Santa Biblia, joined in on the celebration, all of them rejoicing for her as they witnessed the culmination of OSLC’s faith and love poured over Alondra and Sebastian. As the day ended, all gathered to enjoy homemade dishes, celebrating not just a house, but a testament to God’s unwavering faithfulness and the bonds of community forged in love and selfless service.

If you would like to experience the joy of sharing God’s love with others through mission work,
call us at (915) 858-2588 or send an e-mail to luz.soto@ylm.org for more information on how you can
bring a Servant Event mission team or join one!