Building Homes & Bringing Hope
2020 Mexico Mission Trip!
Amanda holding Cecilia Perez’s daughter
This past February, a team of 54 went to Puerto Penasco, Mexico, to build homes for two families in need. StoneBridge partners with the ministry organization Amor Ministries to identify families in need of a new home.
Two members of the mission team, Amanda Sisavahn and Jose Cogua, were fluent in Spanish. They were able to not only build strong relationships with the families, but also to translate for the other volunteers.
Jose (left) Maria Dagio (right)
“We built two houses for two sisters who lived next door to each other. Our group split into two teams, and I worked on the house for Cecilia Dagio Perez and her family. She is married with five children, and her sister, Maria Guadalupe Dagio, is married with three children,” says volunteer Sue Sawaged.
The teams went to work expanding the families’ existing houses to accommodate for the adults and children living in the homes.
Shawn (right) Paul (left)
“Each house that we build is a two-room structure with a sloping roof,” says volunteer Shawn McIlnay. “The exterior is finished with stucco, and the roof is coated with a fiberglass-like material and waterproofed. The house is built on a concrete foundation that we construct on the first building day.”
Food at campsite
Side of one house
Amor Ministries has property near Puerto Penasco where the volunteers camp. There’s a bathhouse, portable restrooms, and water for bathing. Tents and sleeping pads are set up when the team arrives.
“Some people bring solar shower bags, which we fill and leave in the sun for a warm shower at the end of the day,” says volunteer Shawn McIlnay.
Food is provided for the volunteers by an outfitter called Baja Camp Cooks. Baja prepares breakfast and an evening meal for the team. They also provide cold cuts, fruits, and vegetables so the workers can pack a lunch for the next day.
When the volunteers arrive at the house site, they’re provided with wood, cement mix, gravel sand, tar paper, doors, windows, and nails. Experienced builders like Jose lead the teams--volunteers don’t require past construction experience--to construct the houses within three days. When they’re finished, the family has a secure and livable home.
Kristi (left) Laura (right)
Growing Closer to God and One Another
Every night after the working day was over, the pastors held a devotional at the campsite. The volunteers came away from the trip feeling much more connected to one another and to God as well.
Team campfire
“God was with us where we were staying,” Amanda, who was born in Japan, says. “We were in the middle of nowhere, but it felt like the presence of God was there.”
Jose, a native of Bogota, Colombia, has participated nearly every year since 2015. He leads a construction crew on each trip he attends, and has inspired several men from his small groups to come along. While he notes that the builds have been a bonding experience between himself and the men from his group, he was also impacted by the women who assisted in the build.
“The ladies were unstoppable, unbreakable,” he says. They sometimes worked harder than a lot of the guys. They were a good example of how to be kind, but how to work hard at the same time.”
Megan
Samantha
Many Inspirations, One Goal
Every year, our volunteers are inspired to join the Mexico mission team for different reasons. Some have construction experience, while others can help with translation. Others’ children ask to participate. All want to serve God by helping families in need, and share His love in the process.
Shawn and his daughter
“My son Parker is the real inspiration,” Shawn says. “One Sunday in 2018, he informed me that we needed to go on this trip--so we went in February of 2018 for the first time.”
“I think that God can be subtle sometimes but also quite clear at other times. When an 8th grade boy wants to do something for someone else--someone he has never met--I take that as a sign that God is working in his life. I will try to do whatever it takes to help that happen.”
This year, Shawn--a father of 4--and his two daughters participated in the build.
Amanda w/ family
Amanda says she had traveled to Mexico more than once, but had not been to rural areas like Puerto Penasco.
“Mexico is a part of the world that is very poor, and people are suffering,” Amanda says. “I felt like being there on the mission trip would make a difference for me to grow in true compassion. It was a big step for me.
“I couldn’t believe the people had to live like that every day. We are so blessed here.”
The team members were able to spend time getting to know the families, who were generous and accommodating even as their homes were being worked on.
Family member working on his home
Kurt giving the keys to the family
“The family was very grateful, but I feel like they encouraged me as much as we might have helped them,” Shawn says.
“It is very interesting to see how they live, how they survive with almost none of what most Americans would consider to be necessities. They don't have indoor running water--they have an outdoor faucet. Their cooking area is outside of the structure they live in.
“They have electricity on their property and have a cooking stove like you would see in someone's house, but it was outside under a lean-to attached to their house. There doesn't seem to be despair; they are living their lives. Their kids are happy to play with my kids. I know that we were helping them, but they taught me a lot about contentment and gratitude.”
According to Shawn, it’s always emotional when the keys are turned over to the families on the final day. After bonding with and working alongside the families during the build, our team members walk away feeling humbled and inspired.
Team at campsite
“You’re not just learning about each other, but learning how to interact in all ways--how we work, how we honor God with our words and actions, not only with small group members but with the entire team,” says Jose. “It’s a way to get to know all the people in the community and see what God is doing in each person’s life.”
In addition to growing closer to one another, the team experienced the joy of empowering others.
“We empowered and uplifted these two families,” Sue says. “We loved our neighbors and saw them as perfectly as God sees them. Their beautiful smiles exuded the pride and dignity of ownership. I can’t think of anything greater than one can do for another human being.”
Interested in Being Part of the Next Mexico Mission?
If you’re on the fence about joining next year’s trip, our volunteers say it’s a life-changing experience
“I would say to trust God to open the eyes of them for the many blessings we have, and the many ways we have to help others. That all happens in a single weekend trip,” Jose says.
“Everybody should go at least once. I believe they have a high return rate because if you go once, you’re hooked. You can do great things and at the same time have fun working for God. It’s really good.”
Amor Ministries takes extra steps to ensure the safety of the volunteers who travel to the area to work. If you’re concerned about safety, the ministry safety factors and will halt projects if the timing isn’t appropriate.
“We are safe as long as we follow the rules and expectations,” Shawn says. “If it isn't safe, Amor won't let us come down.”
To get involved with next year’s mission trip to Mexico, contact Kristi Bebermeyer. We hope to see you there!
