From Filey to Ensenada

It was a life changing experience

I was part of the team building a house for a young family

My Life-Changing Mission Trip to Mexico by Samantha Eblet

Before the Journey

Before I went to Mexico, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. I was excited but a bit unsure about what I would be doing or what I was going to see. The weeks leading up to the trip were filled with anticipation, and I couldn’t wait to start the long journey. However, when the day finally came to leave, I found myself less enthusiastic about the travel itself, but my excitement for the experience in Mexico kept me going.

The Journey to Mexico

The waits at the airport and the plane journeys were as you would expect—boring, slow, and tiring. After what felt like an eternity, we finally landed in San Diego. My energy returned, and I was ready to get started. After going through the standard airport procedures, we set off for the border crossing into Mexico. I thought crossing the border from the U.S. into Mexico would be stressful and time-consuming, but it was surprisingly easy. A woman simply guided us through with no questions asked, and just like that, we were in Mexico. The 10 days ahead of us promised something unforgettable.

Getting Involved: The House Build

Each day, our group was split into teams to work on different projects, ranging from visiting people to helping out in the community. I was part of the team building a house for a young family—Luis, Andrea, and their two children, Derian and Iran. Andrea and Luis were only in their early twenties, and they had spent six months living on the streets to save enough money to buy a piece of land. Andrea shared how her children, aged 1 and 2, frequently got sick due to not having proper shelter. Hearing this was heartbreaking, and I couldn’t hold back my tears.

Building Bonds and Memories

As we began constructing the house, the whole family was eager to help, even the little ones. We involved the children in everything we could, and during breaks, we took time to play with them. One day, some friends and I found two wooden trucks their father had built for them. We decided to clean them up and paint them in bright colors. The children joined in, loving every minute of it. I was on the painting team for the house, so by the end of each day, I was covered in blue and grey paint. But it didn’t matter; I knew it would all be worth it in the end.

Seeing Progress

At the end of the first day, we had already erected the four walls of the house, and the excitement was palpable. On the second day, we finished the remaining tasks, making sure everything was perfect for the family. One special task I took on was painting a sign for the house with the family name, “Rivas Lazos,” along with their handprints. It was a small detail but felt deeply personal.

Giving More Than Just a House

In addition to the house, the family received a dining table, chairs, crockery, a cooker, and bunk beds with duvets for the children. We raced to assemble everything while the family was out for a walk, so it would be a surprise when they returned. The whole process felt like a scene from a home makeover show—we were rushing to finish before the family came back!

The Emotional Key Ceremony

When the family returned, we gathered in a circle, passing the keys around. Each person shared what building the house meant to them and their hopes for the family’s future. Finally, the keys were handed over to the family, and they unlocked the door to their new home and future. We all went inside to pray for them, and one by one, we stepped out, leaving the family to enjoy their new home. As I walked away and looked back, tears filled my eyes. The realization of what we had accomplished in just two days overwhelmed me.

Reflections on the Trip

The joy and gratitude on the faces of people who had so little was a powerful reminder of why I had come to Mexico. We were giving them something they could never have dreamed of, and the impact of that moment will stay with me forever. This trip was more than just about building a house—it was about opening my eyes to the struggles of others and stepping outside my own comfortable life.

I know I’ll carry this experience with me, and I hope to return to Mexico one day to see the difference we made in the lives of this family. For anyone my age looking for a way to grow and build confidence, I would highly recommend this kind of mission trip. It’s a chance to not only make a difference but also to gain a new perspective on life beyond your own world.