For years, members of Faith Lutheran Church in Branson, Missouri, have returned to Ysleta Lutheran Mission Human Care (YLM), giving their time, talents, and resources to serve families and communities along the border. This October, their annual Servant Event brought an opportunity they had been hoping for: returning to Mexico to build a home for a family in need.
Earlier this year, Pastor José Hernández of Iglesia Luterana Santísima Trinidad approached YLM with a request on behalf of Fabian, a 70-year-old man whose home was destroyed by fire in January. The fire also claimed the life of his 29-year-old son.
With nowhere else to go, Fabian moved in with his daughter and her four children. Although the family was grateful to remain together, their living arrangements were crowded. His daughter wanted her father nearby so she could continue caring and providing for him, but they needed a place where he could have a home of his own.
When YLM learned of Fabian’s situation, Faith Lutheran Church was among the first to hear about the opportunity to help.
For the past couple of years, the church’s Servant Event teams had been smaller, remaining stateside to assist with repairs and renovations to YLM’s facilities. Their commitment to serving never wavered, but returning to Mexico for a construction project would require additional volunteers.
With Fabian’s story in mind, Faith Lutheran began recruiting.
Their efforts brought together thirteen adults, including two couples from Branson participating for the first time. Returning volunteers from Trinity Lutheran Church in Madison, Nebraska, and Holy Ghost Lutheran Church in Aurora, Colorado, joined the team, along with additional family members experiencing a YLM Servant Event for the first time.
What began as a request for help brought Christians from different congregations and states together to share Christ’s love with a family they had never met.
For many of these volunteers, serving through YLM extends beyond their annual trip. Several support the mission through monthly donations as Amigos de Ysleta, while others serve as Ambassadors, sharing their experiences with congregations and encouraging others to become involved.
Among this year’s volunteers was Paige, whose involvement with YLM spans nineteen years. She joined the team to prepare their daily meals, bringing years of experience and a genuine love for the people and ministries she has come to know.
Her enthusiasm is evident whenever she shares stories of serving through YLM, and her commitment has become a family affair. Paige and her husband are Amigos de Ysleta, as are their two daughters. One daughter, Emily, continues returning annually with her husband, Verlyn, carrying forward their family’s tradition of service.
For Fabian and his family, the team’s willingness to return to Mexico meant the opportunity for him to have a home close to his daughter and grandchildren while enjoying greater independence and space. For these short-term missionaries, it was another opportunity to put their faith into action, serving a neighbor in need while supporting the ministry of a local Lutheran congregation.
Every year, YLM welcomes Servant Event teams of all ages and abilities to serve alongside our ministry partners in El Paso and Ciudad Juárez. Whether constructing homes, making repairs, assisting with children’s ministry, or supporting community outreach, these short-term missionaries help change lives every day through simple acts of kindness.
Their involvement can also continue throughout the year through Amigos de Ysleta, YLM’s monthly recurring donation initiative. By providing a dependable foundation of financial support, Amigos help sustain and grow our Mercy, Music, and Missions ministries, allowing YLM to plan for future opportunities, respond to community needs, and continue sharing the Gospel through Word and Deed.
And now, there’s another reason to become an Amigo!
Beginning March 1, 2027, Amigos de Ysleta will receive a 10% discount on Servant Event registration fees. This new benefit encourages supporters to experience mission firsthand while helping sustain the ministries they serve.
Perhaps you’ve been considering bringing a Servant Event team to YLM, or you’ve served before and would like to become more involved throughout the year. We invite you to do both! Come serve with us, become an Amigo de Ysleta, and invite others to experience the joy of serving Christ by serving their neighbors.
Like the missionaries from Faith Lutheran and their friends from Nebraska and Colorado, you may discover how a single opportunity to serve can inspire years of generosity, fellowship, and sharing the love of Christ.
