Mission campers prepare to head out for day one building homes during spring break in Puerto Penasco. Photo by Keith Lewis

COMMUNITY News:

Participants in the Mexico Mission Trip taken during spring break will share their experiences by leading the worship service at 9:30 a.m. today at the United Church.

The team of roughly 50 members from the community, the Unitarian Universalist Church and the United Church of Los Alamos, spent a week building three homes for the less fortunate, changing lives forever and leaving three families with a gift that they need not repay.

One family consists of a mother and daughter living on $35 a week, the second family of five lives on $42.50 a week and the third family of six members lives on $170 a week.

“One Grandmother we built for, 78 years old, claimed this would be the largest home she has lived in,” said the Reverend Keith Lewis, Pastor for Youth and Congregational Ministries, at the United Church. “Rusty built a custom base for her table top. She raised eight kids by herself.”

Los Alamos High School student Coen Noeninckx was one of many who went on the impactful adventure. What was the experience like through the eyes of local youth?

“I was truly surprised looking back just one week and realizing that before it was just some dirt and grass and now that space had doubled the family’s living space and gave them a home they can feel safe in,” Noeninck said. “I really enjoyed how the students I didn’t really know too well before are actually really good friends with me now.”

This morning’s service is at 2525 Canyon Road and adults and youth will be on hand to share their experience. Learn more about the United Church at www.unitedchurchla.org or by calling 505.662.2971.