Servant Event
Frequently
Asked Questions
What is a Servant Event?
Servant events
are groups that come from all over the country to Ysleta Lutheran
Mission for a week of service to God and to His people in El Paso, TX
and Juarez, Chihuahua, Janos, and Sikachique, Mexico. Our projects include
building houses for needy families, building and remodeling church
facilities, medical clinics and Vacation Bible School.
[back to
top]
How do I sign up for a Servant Event?
Let us know your
interest either by e-mail (ylm@ylm.org)
or phone (915) 858-2588 (ask for the Servant Event Coordinator) and we
will send you informational material. Summer weeks fill up very
quickly, usually by the fall of the previous year. We offer Servant
Event possibilities all year.
[back to
top]
How do we get to the Mission and to the work
sites?
Either drive or
fly, we will pick you up from the El Paso International Airport if you
fly. Each group is responsible for finding and purchasing their own
plane tickets. We also provide transportation to the work sites and
for other errands. Frequently the vans are available for evening
recreational activities.
[back to
top]
Where do we stay?
Groups, depending on where they are
working, stay either at the Mission in El Paso, TX – we have a dorm facility;
or they may also stay in Anapra, a poor colonia of
Juarez, Mexico in a dorm
facility at Iglesia Luterana San Lucas. For groups traveling to
cities farther into Mexico, such as Chihuahua, Sikachique, and Janos,
lodging is provided at the site.
[back to
top]
How many
people can come on a Servant Event?
We have a limit of 40 people in the
dormitory at Ysleta Lutheran Mission. If more than one group is
scheduled for your week, you might have to limit the number of people
in your group. We also have lodging available in Anapra, at Iglesia
Luterana San Lucas for 20 people.
[back to
top]
How old must children be to come?
As long as an adequate number of
chaperones are involved, we invite children in middle school to come
in addition to high school aged youth. We also invite families to
come.
[back to
top]
What do I need to travel into Mexico?
In order to get back across the border
into the United States, you will need an original copy of your birth
certificate or a passport. It is a very good idea to have other I.D.
also, such as your driver’s license. For groups traveling 18 miles
past the border into Mexico, a visa is required, along with your
passport. The visas can be picked up at the border.
We require everyone to have a current
tetanus shot, as groups frequently work on construction projects.
Doctors also strongly advise getting Hepatitis A and B vaccinations.
Check with your doctor for other concerns.
[back to
top]
What do we need to bring?
Please see the list in the Servant
Event Handbook, found on our
Servant Event site.
[back to
top]
What is a typical day like?
On Saturday, groups arrive and
settle in.
On Sunday, we have an English
worship service at 9:30am, and a Spanish service at 11:30am. We
provide a Bible study at 10:30, or you might wish to do
your own. Then we take groups to two mission churches in Juarez:
either Santisima Trinidad and San Marcos, or San Lucas and Cristo Rey.
On Monday – Friday, groups begin
the day with devotions together with pastors and staff at the mission
and work on projects during the day. In the evenings, groups can
choose to participate in some recreational activities in the area such
as dining and swimming (summer months). We also usually visit the
market in downtown Juarez on one of these days. Groups usually depart
on Saturday.
[back to
top]
What do we do about food?
Traditionally groups have planned and
prepared their own food during the week (there
are kitchen facilities in the dorm).
However, in recent years more groups are choosing to have our cook
prepare all of their meals (very tasty!). Most groups find that
having our cook prepare food is a great advantage because no one has
to stay behind to prepare food, and groups have more time to relax or
plan other activities in the evenings. At the dormitory in Anapra,
there is a stove and refrigerator available for group use, but no
cooking utensils are provided.
[back to
top]
What will our work project be?
Types of projects range from churches
and house construction to painting, cleaning, and general repairs of
mission facilities. Projects are located both in El Paso and at
Mexico missions in an effort to sustain the year-round ministry at all
sites. The groups who consistently have the best experience and
make the biggest impact in the mission field are the ones who come
with a spirit of flexibility and the desire to do "exactly what is
needed at the time" whether it is part of a huge long-term project or
completing several small ones. We will try to narrow down what
you will be doing by two weeks before you come so you can accumulate
any special tools or materials you would wish to bring. However, it
is important to keep an attitude of flexibility. The needs we are
addressing can change quickly, and with them, your projects.
[back to
top]
What do we need to do before we arrive?
Please send us your forms as found on
our Servant Event site as soon as possible; especially we would like
to know if you have any special skills that we can put to use or if
you have any particular project ideas you have in mind. We will be in
communication with you about your travel plans.
[back to
top]
