Building Homes, Relationships, and Memories in Mexico

One of the first to greet us each morning during our Mexico Mission trip was nine-year-old Gabriel. With his Ace nail apron strapped on and a wide grin across his face, he was ready for whatever the day might hold. One moment he was tossing a frisbee, the next he was hammering a nail. When asked, he even helped catch chickens so the teens could take a turn holding one. Gabriel’s energy and eagerness set the tone for a week full of building, laughter, and connection.

On Mondays, we often step into the family's original home to assess their needs, such as stoves, mattresses, and propane tanks for their new home. Before leaving, I asked the father, Roberto, and mother, Magaly, if they needed anything else, such as a mesa, a table. Roberto agreed that it would be nice to have a table where his family of six could enjoy a meal together.

As we left his home, Gabriel caught the attention of our interpreter, Yony, and said, 'I need a bike.' His thoughtful request showed he had been listening closely during the conversation. Most nine-year-olds have had a few bikes by his age; others might have asked for a gaming system. His request led us to shop for bikes for the first time on our mission trip. We bought bikes for both him and his brother, as well as two bikes for the other family.

Typically, most families help with the construction, and this family truly engaged in building their home. They waited with anticipation and jumped right in when asked. Roberto had never used a power tool before. After using the nail gun and table saw, he remarked how much easier these tools made the work. I asked which one he liked best. He smiled, placed his hand on his chin, and thought carefully. After a moment, I said it was okay to say both. He grinned and said, “Yes, both!”

Once invited, Magaly and her two daughters, Melissa and Daniela joined in the fun, from hammering nails to painting boards. Even little two-year-old Rafael joined in, handing nails to his dad and wearing his own nail apron like the rest of us.

In between building, we shared crafts with the mom and children, which gave us a chance to connect on a deeper level. The air-dry clay turned into God’s creatures, and the coffee filters became gorgeous butterflies in every color. As we crafted together, Magaly shared how much she enjoyed making things, though she didn’t think she was very good at it. We reassured her of her talent and reminded her that the more she creates, the more her confidence will grow. We also spoke about the gift of creating, how it helps us rest our minds from the worries of the day and align our hearts with God's goodness. For God is the ultimate creator.

At the end of the week, we dedicate the homes by singing, praying, and affirming God's grace with one another. We invited everyone to share, including the family. Roberto spoke easily, full of gratitude and his signature smile. Magaly struggled to find the words at first. She got choked up, then continued to speak about all the good she had experienced that week and how the dream of having a home had come true. Daniela and Melissa were too shy to speak in front of the group. Gabriel tried, but after saying “Gracious,” he began to weep and tucked his head under his sister’s arm. Little Rafael gazed at us all with wonder.

Magaly received the keys to their new home, and they walked in together as a family. With encouragement from our team, Gabriel grabbed his bike from his new room and rode it into the neighborhood. Rafael needed a little help from his sister, Daniela, but soon got the hang of his little pink trike and sat on it with ease.

After four days of building a house and relationships, it was difficult to leave, knowing that more than likely we would never see one another again. Still, we are grateful for the time we shared with Roberto’s and Magaly’s family and will carry them with us in our prayers, in the retelling of stories, and in our dreams.

Many thanks to the countless people who supported our Baja Mexico Mission trip through prayers and financial gifts. It is hard to put the experience into words, but we hope the change in us is clear through the pictures we share and the conversations we have. May all that we say and do reflect the good and gracious work of God we witnessed in Mexico.