Every spring break for over 30 years, Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church (MVPC) has invited over 150 high school students from the Lamorinda area to spend a week building houses in Mexico.
This mission trip is hosted in partnership with Amor Ministries, a non-profit organization that supports Mexican families in need by building them houses. The students who attended this trip were split into eight different teams, with senior student leaders who organized the construction of four houses and one church for a community in Tijuana. The students collaborated and bonded through different activities and worship opportunities provided by MVPC throughout the week.
“I was leader of the Irish Green Team” said senior Mackie Hall. He has been on the trip three times and he noted “this year was a little bit different because instead of building houses like normal we built a church with three other teams on the site.” The area of the church site was very important to the local people as “there were two miracles attributed to the site,” so Hall felt it was “an essential building to provide as a service to this community.” Upon reflecting about this trip, Hall said, “everyone should do this trip next year no matter your background. It's an amazing experience to help those who are not as fortunate.”
Pink Team member Lily Ricksen is a freshman and participated in the MVPC Mexico trip for the first time this spring. “My team was helping build the church which was super fun,” said Rickesen. She had many takeaways from the trip but commented, “I made so much more than just a church, I made bonds I will have for a lifetime with so many amazing people.” The teams struggled with the weather but Ricksen noted “we all got into a routine that worked with us and the weather.” Her final comment on her experience was “if you're thinking about going on the trip, do it, it's the trip of a lifetime.”
“This is my second year going to Mexico,” said senior Amelia Ra. She was a member and leader of the Gold Team. Her team worked on the church site which she noted “was pretty challenging because we were prepared to build a house but had to change plans” but she felt it “was really cool to leave the last day and look around at what we built.” One of Ra’s favorite parts of the trip is how “Mexico is such a unique experience and it's something you don't get the opportunity to experience anywhere else.” She enjoyed “getting to meet so many people from different schools to build new connections” and reflected that “if you're on the fence about the trip you should definitely go.”
After their week serving, the students commemorated their achievements by sharing their experiences with the MVPC congregation during Sunday service and with a team dinner.
