“The joy of the Lord is my strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). This joy is what carries each person through this trip, as well as through life.

This year was my third year with Casas, and each year brings new beauty, deeper appreciation, and new challenges. We had over 40 people on the trip, ranging from 7th grade to those in their 70s. The trip down to Juárez was smooth, and the border crossing went well. On the day we arrived, we played soccer with local kids, got settled into the church, and prepared our hearts for the days ahead through rest and worship. That evening we got to connect with girls from the church we stayed at and they taught some of us girls the dances they perform at their church. It was a joyful way to start the week.

The Lord provided the means to build three homes for families in need. A unique blessing of this trip was that all three homes were on the same street, making it easy to walk between each site. Day one began with empty pieces of land and ended with foundations laid and walls built. By day three, we applied stucco, installed drywall, and left each site with a finished home.

That same day, we hosted a Vacation Bible School where over 15 children and their families attended. They heard the gospel, played games, and left with Bibles, soccer balls, and other small gifts.

On day four, we dedicated the homes to the families—transforming houses into homes. One home was for a 17-year-old girl and her sick grandmother; another for two young boys and their parents. These homes are physical reminders of safety and warmth—things we often take for granted.

Each family was incredibly grateful, and we were able to build relationships alongside building their homes. The children played soccer with us, and Naomi, the 17-year-old, loved helping with stucco. We loved laughing and spending time with her. The families also cooked amazing food and blessed us in many ways.

Seeing how God uses 48 people, a few tools, and a lot of love to serve others and advance His kingdom never fails to amaze me.