Mission team started their first day with a prayer, holding hands open to God’s plans above theirs

“We’re going to literally put our hands out and this is what we’re going to pray about.  Heavenly Father, we’re here putting our hands out to You, opening our fingers wide, and letting You do whatever You want to do, Lord.  We are coming to do Your work, we are Your hands and Your feet, Lord.  We’re putting our hands out because we know whatever You’re going to do, we’re gonna ride the waves, Lord.  We’re gonna see you moving, we’re gonna see what You’re doing, and we’re just going to enjoy the ride.  And all God’s people said…

“AMEN!”

Azul joined the team in nailing the foundation nails of the addition to the house for her family

What an amazing way for the Mayer Lutheran High School group, a total of 79 high school students and adults, to set out for their week’s goal –to complete five houses in five days.  For several years now, Mayer has been working through Ysleta Lutheran Mission Human Care (YLM) to build houses in Juarez, Mexico.  They have built relationships with families, which they re-visit upon their return.  What a great blessing it has been for them, and the people of Anapra, to discover the friendships beyond borders!

“It’s all been a God-experience,” one of the adult leaders shared during the dedication ceremony at the end of the week, “I think they gave more to us than we gave to them…they’ve taught us that it’s about familia…friends for life.  They’ve become our family and we’ve become theirs.”

Many of the Mayer participants were first timers, entire families coming together with their high school teenager to share God’s love through the work of their hands.  They worked hard to frame houses, paint sidings and trim, install insulation and sheetrock, but the heart of their work was not among the hammers and saws, but seen in the relationships being built.

Sweet smiles and laughter abounded as the Mayer teens played with Anapra kids

Despite the language barrier, or perhaps because of it, these Minnesota teenagers connected to the children and youth at Anapra at a heart level.  Playing rock, paper, scissors led to laughter and hugs.  Skipping rope and tug-of-war inspired teamwork beyond words.  Left over wood scraps resulted in block building with a little girl.  A hill, cardboard and plastic scraps became a mud-sledding event where surrounding neighborhood kids were invited to join in.

With the entire group going into this undertaking of building five houses for five families, it was a God-experience for them to have the opportunity to impact these families, and their neighbors in a deeper level.

“I am so happy with my house,” Judith shared as she pushed a paint roller over the outside walls of the little two-bedroom house with the breathtaking view in the background, “My children will now have a safe place to live in.  My boys are so proud to be helping with the house –Jesus, my oldest son, is learning from these men while he helps them with the roof.  Without his father to teach him what it means to take care of his family, these people are showing him so much.”

Jesus helps with the roofing of the little house being built for his family

The opportunities abound for those who believe in Christ to change the world, one person at a time.  The most amazing experience was to see how these 79 people who do not speak the language, who do not understand the culture, who do not look like the people they are serving…they managed to change the world of so many in Anapra.

“It’s a mutual experience,” one of the teenagers shared as they all gathered in the YLM Dormitory Common Room for the final devotion, “We came to build them a house…and they fed us, serenaded us, helped us, embraced us, took care of us, made us feel like family.  They are so immensely grateful for the little that we do, they give us so much from the little that they have.”

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”                                                    1 Peter 4:10