Building Houses, Building Hope

In March the grade 11 and 12 students of Calvin Christian Collegiate (Winnipeg) boarded two buses and travelled to Mexico. Their ten-day trip had a goal—to build six homes for six families in the border town of Ciudad Juarez.
“Building Houses, Building Hope” is at the heart of Amor Ministries. Being in contact with Amor has been life changing for us at Calvin Christian. We have the privilege of raising money to buy all the materials for a house and then travelling down to Juarez and building that house for a family chosen by Mexican pastors who work and pastor in that area.
This year the number of students going made up six teams, which meant that we could build six houses. Our days are filled with building (only hand tools, no electricity or generators), playing with children and meeting the families. In the course of four to five days, a simple but sturdy house is standing.
Following is an experience of one of the teams:
“All of us in our group went into the house and lined up against the walls. Since there were only interior studs and not actual interior walls, we could see the entire space from any point. The Mexican family was ushered into the house and stood in the middle of the structure. Even though they had watched the construction process, it was moving for them to finally stand in and imagine themselves living in the structure. There were quiet tears and watery eyes as they stood there.
“Belinda, one of our students, spoke to them and welcomed them, in Spanish. We read some Spanish Scripture, had a prayer for them and left them with a Spanish Bible. The family responded with some comments, with Belinda translating. We concluded the ceremony with the song Praise God from whom all blessings flow, as we held hands. We presented the family with their house keys, a clear example to them of ownership.
“After hugs and handshakes, our group left, turning back to see the family standing in the doorway of the house we built. I felt that we had been hands and feet for our Lord, and we were blessed indeed.”
Our students have been impacted by the graciousness, joyfulness and thankfulness of the Mexican families. We have been blessed to share in the building of God’s kingdom in Mexico. The families gratefully accept the Bibles given to them, along with the key to their new home! We give the rest of the Bibles to the pastors who work there. They continue to distribute them where there is a need.
Gwen Neufeld