Grace United Methodist Church is preparing to send a Volunteers in Mission team to Juarez, Mexico in March, where they will build houses for two families there.
“This is the fifth year that volunteers from the church have gone to Juarez,” said Steve Williams, pastor of Grace. “And each year, we look forward to the opportunity to go and do this building. We are especially excited that, this year, we have enough team members to build two houses.”
The houses that will be built are not what you would normally think of when you hear the word “house.” They are a simple 14’x15’ one-room structure with a concrete floor, concrete block walls, and a roof made from plywood covered with a layer of pitch and shingles. And yet, for the families who receive them, they are a great improvement over the cardboard boxes and pallets that are used to create makeshift shelters.
“It is a very emotional moment when the keys to the house are presented to the new owners,” said Karen Largent, who will be making her third trip this year. “And to know that we have had a small part to play in helping them to have a better place to live.”
Each house costs $2,000 to build. As a part of their fundraising efforts, the church will be serving a Mexican buffet on Fri., Feb. 26 from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. The buffet will include chips and salsa, refried beans, rice, empanadas and other authentic Mexican food. The cost is $8 per plate and includes drink and dessert.
Grace United Methodist Church is located at 952 N. Church St., Sullivan. If you have any questions or need more information, please call the church office at 468-6010.