in His name...

Early tomorrow morning I am off to Mexico with a group of about 35 folks from our church. We are spending the next three days in one of the extremely poor border towns where we will be building two houses. Each of these houses is to be given to a family there in great need. Along with the houses, we also are providing various "house warming" gifts such as towels, dishes, pots and pans, and some toys for the children.

When we arrive on the site tomorrow morning, there will be a poured concrete foundation. And we will take it from there, starting with building the frames for the walls. Over the next two days, we will raise walls, put in windows, add drywall, and everything else that goes into building a house! When we leave on Sunday, each house will be wired for electricity, plumbed, painted on the outside, and finished to the point of painting on the inside. (We will leave them paint for the interior as well.)

While we are building the homes, there will be games and activities for neighborhood kids as well as folks going out to visit with others in the community. The purpose is not only to build a couple of houses but to continue to build relationship with folks who live in this little town. (our church sends several teams down throughout the year to follow up on previous families and to make connections in the community. We partner with a local ministry to serve in this area.) And, of course, we pray for opportunities to share the love of Jesus whenever and however possible.

It's supposed to be very hot while we're there, so if you have a spare moment, please feel free to pray for our team--for physical stamina, for hearts to serve, for unity in the teams, for opportunities to share love, for safety, and for that the name of Jesus would be glorified!

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed,

do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks to God the Father through him.

~Colossians 3:17