For 17 consecutive years, young people from Third Christian Reformed Church in Denver, Colo., have been traveling to Mexico to help in mission work.
This year was no exception. In July, David De Ridder, the church’s minister of discipleship, took 21 students to Tijuana, where they coordinated efforts with Scott and Marcia Geurink, missionaries with Christian Reformed World Missions.
The students spent their mornings teaching children and their afternoons on construction at a drug rehabilitation center.
“These kids learn good, practical skills,” said De Ridder, “and they learn much more—about faith, compassion, and Christian love.”
It can be a life-changing experience. After an excursion to see where their VBS children lived, one team member wept. “They have nothing,” she said, “and yet they’re so happy.”
Many youths who participate in the service trips return for Third CRC’s adult Mexico mission teams.
