The Mexico Mission involves the opportunity to minister to brothers and sisters in Christ in the cities of Eagle Pass, Texas and the border city in Mexico, Piedras Negras. You can learn more about the churches in Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras by reading Pastor Paul Bailie's blog.
St. Mark's Mission trips are done twice a year to provide medical care to more than 300 adults and children. Construction projects are done through the Hands and Feet Ministry which is located in the local area.
Our next mission trip is scheduled for Sept. 23-30, 2011. We're planning construction work at the San Lucas Church in Eagle Pass, Texas, and in the area around the Cristo Rey Luterano Church in Mexico. We're also planning to hold a free medical clinic for two-three days at the Cristo Rey Luterano Church and a vision clinic.
PLEASE JOIN US! We welcome lay people, construction workers, translators and medical professionals - doctors, nurses, nurse practioners, physician assistants, pharmacists, opthalmologists and optometrists. For more information or to get involved, contact Anita Haughenbury, mexicomissions@faith-life.org.
Read about our trips
March 2011
The Texas/Mexico Mission group had a productive and meaningful trip to Eagle Pass, Texas.
The team spent March 12-18 at St. Mark’s partner church, San Lucas Lutheran Church, in Eagle Pass, Texas, and across the border at Cristo Rey Luterano Iglesia, a sister congregation in Mexico. They helped build houses and worked on other projects.
“We went to Mexico one day and worked on the new home for the family that lost their 4-month-old to a fire a month ago,” recalls Gary Pribyl. “Another house we worked on was started about a year ago. The people are so poor it takes many years to build their home.”
Another part of the team held a heath fair at Cristo Rey in Mexico. They worked with over 50 families.
Mission workers from St. Mark’s included Mel and Judy Koski, Gary and Linda Pribyl, Amy and Jon Doerrfeld, Lindsey Meyer, Will Affield, Cathy Winch, Julie Gilmore, Donna and Harry Walton, and Eric Svenkerud.
“It was truly an eye-opening experience,” said Pribyl. “And very rewarding for all of us to help in a small way.”
October, 2010
In mid-October, a group of 11 people traveled to Eagle Pass, Texas, to San Lucas Lutheran Church, a St. Mark’s partner church. It was a new adventure, staying in Eagle Pass and working at the church compound for the week.
A new trip has been scheduled for March 12-19. If you are interested in joining the mission team for a medical trip to Mexico, please contact texmexmissions@faith-life.org.
For the October trip, St. Mark’s purchased and donated a well-used van. The van was driven to Texas and delivered to them to assist in their needs locally and at the Cristo Rey, Mexico Church.
Construction projects were tackled under the leadership of Mel Koski. A concrete sidewalk was poured at the parsonage. Holes were drilled and water injected under the dormitory via PVC pipe to raise the floor, which is cracking. Many doors were repaired and adjusted in the church and parsonage. Trees and bushes were trimmed. Cracks in walls and ceilings were repaired as were holes in the exterior. We worked on window maintenance, downspouts, painting and more.
A health fair was held for the community. About 70 adult and children came through for information related to cancer screening, nutrition and weight management. Blood pressure levels and blood sugar levels were checked. A number of Cedar Rapids area businesses and individuals were generous with dental supplies, shirts, Spanish reading materials, bags, and pedometers (which were the “hot” item). A diabetic education class was held with the help of Pastor Nelson.
An evening program was provided for the children about the “Midnight Knocker” Bible story, with singing and a craft. The San Lucas people provided us with wonderful authentic Mexican food all week. In return, our group served an “Iowa” meal to them – pork loin, cheesy potatoes, salads, and apple pie.
The mission trip group included: Sher Jasperse and Daryl Julich, Mel Koski, Ben Fiedler (our techy person), Betty and Bruce Lindholm, Linda Palmer, Tim York, Lorey Jenson, and Jim and Anita Haughenbury.
The mission included people from St. Mark’s, LCR, First Lutheran and Ascension churches.