5 Ways Building a Home Can Change Lives Forever

When I gave my life to the Lord in 1995, James 2:20 quickly became my life verse and a living mantra – to show faith through action, "You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?"  My passion since then has been turning those words into action, mission trips quickly became an integral part of who I am. One of my favorite destinations is Mexico where we bring God’s love and joy by running VBS programs, ministering in prisons, providing much-needed food and clothing supplies…and best of all building homes for families who need it most.

If you ever wonder why house-building? It comes down to showing radical generosity, practical faith, and changing a families life!

Having a home can be a life-changing experience for families in need, with many long-term effects. During our trips to Mexico, we see this firsthand as we provide homes to deserving families in underprivileged communities throughout Baja California. We have seen five distinct changes that occur when families receive their own home:

1. Economics - Building or providing a home accelerates family economics by 5-10 years. With a free home of their own, families are able to put money towards paying for their land, food, and educational opportunities for their children. This helps break the cycle of poverty they may have been living in for generations.

2. Education - Children who have the ability to study at home are 3 times more likely to stay in school and for two years longer. With a safe place to study, children are more willing and able to focus on their education, which can open up new opportunities not just for them, but also for future generations of their family.

3. Health - Having a home with a concrete floor greatly reduces the risk of respiratory infections, anemia, and diarrhea by up to 80%. We see this time and time again as families move from dirt floors into homes that have the basics like clean water, beds, food, and electricity.

4. Transformed Thinking - A home helps to break the limited thinking of poverty that can be passed down from generation to generation when there is no access to secure housing. A home gives families hope for the future and enables them to think beyond their current state of survival.

5. Spiritual Impact - When we provide homes to families, it is often likened to “Jesus with skin on” as they are receiving an answer to what must have felt like a never-ending prayer. It is common for these families to feel like, “I thought God had forgotten us,” or “We felt unworthy of a house.” We have seen amazing things happen when families receive a home and experience the tangible love of God through volunteers who build these houses alongside them.  

Building a home, feeding, and clothing the poor is a direct fulfillment of Isaiah 58:6-7

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“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:

to loose the chains of injustice

   and untie the cords of the yoke,

to set the oppressed free

   and break every yoke?

Is it not to share your food with the hungry

   and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—

when you see the naked, to clothe them,

   and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

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Our mission trips are about more than providing basic needs - they're an opportunity to see real transformation happen around the world! Through our partnerships with YWAM and other great missionary groups, we know that building houses is only one step: true connection comes from continued discipleship long after the trip ends. And when families take this opportunity to join Bible studies, attend church and many even decide to give back to their community as staff members? That's where deep spiritual change happens!

Together, we can be part of something bigger than ourselves that leads to lasting life change within each community. I invite you to join us in this mission, as together we can work to share God’s love with those in need.  Let’s make a difference around the world!

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