A few weeks ago, a team of 34 middle school and high school students traveled to Ensenada, Mexico to serve and learn. The goal was to build a home for a family in need but the end result turned out to be so much more. Read and watch the highlight video to learn about the mission trip and how our students grew in heart, soul, and mind.
From January 12-18 Faith Lutheran students and chaperons traveled to Ensenada, Mexico for a mission trip. We partnered with 
a ministry that, "[seeks] to deliver the Gospel through the construction of homes among the working poor and through creative and engaging ministry and food programs for the children" (BajaBound.org).
The Faith Lutheran team with their Baja Bound family and home recipients.
Everyday the team had devotions and time alone with God where they were able to journal and reflect on their time spent. This excerpt was written by an 8th grade participant:
"On January 12-18, 2018, a group of students became part of an astounding mission team. This trip took place in Ensenada, Mexico and our first thoughts were mostly the same. We thought that this would be an amazing trip out of the country, time to spend with friends and become closer, and a chance to help a family in need. Little did any of us know that we would impact this family’s heart or the children surrounding us.
The main plan, we thought on this mission, was to build a house for a family who lived on a dirt floor with barely any walls. To give them a shelter during harsh weather and the cold winter nights but in the end, we were wrong. Including building the house, we visited an orphanage where we bonded with many little children and some kids our age. We shared God’s Word with the children, hoping they will know that there is someone always watching over them no matter what. In the end, we all realized that we chose to go on this mission trip to impact many lives, to build a house from scratch for a family who had very little, to bond as a family, and become God’s hand and feet in what we do.
No, we didn’t expect to see the children cry as we left to return to America, no we didn’t expect for us to cry tears of happiness as we saw the family open their new home with their brand new keys, and no we didn’t expect as we drove in and out of Mexico for us to be impacted by their lovely culture and to see so many suffering people with a smile on their faces every single day. So in conclusion, we thank God for the opportunity he gave us to be his hands and feet in Mexico and we thank the family for allowing us to build their home and become part of their lives."
