BUCKNERJOURNAL


WHAT’S GOING ON AT BUCKNER INTERNATIONAL


Mission teams change lives


PEÑITAS, Texas – Before the sun peeks over the horizon, Diego Silva is on the move. He has to be in order to keep up. Everything around him is changing. Even at this early hour, it makes him smile. Silva is a mission group coordinator with Buckner National Missions, meaning spring break is anything but a vacation for him. In a two-week span, he, Buckner Construction and Aid Coordinator Sam Hutchinson and Buckner Director of National Missions Javier Perez have guided eight church teams as they have started building five homes, built bedframes for foster children, led a youth camp and mentored individuals involved in the local Buckner Family Hope Center. Often, teams work past sundown as


they strive to shine hope into the lives of colonia residents nine miles west of Mission, Texas. Many of the children experience their first youth camp and have their first home as a result of the groups’ efforts.


6 BUCKNER TODAY • Spring 2016


Either can revolutionize a child’s life.


Children came to Christ during the youth camp, while others grew in their relation- ship with him. Safe, secure homes earned through point accumulation at the Buckner Family Hope Center allow families to rest easier at night and set their sights on filling other needs. By the end of Spring Break, three families had completely new homes. “Our short-term mission teams come


on trips but play a big part in the larger Buckner work in the community,” Silva said. “Families have worked so hard through classes and earning points to earn a home. That all culminates in a mission group building a house. As a result, families can stop worrying about their children who are cold at night or living in a dangerous place. They can focus on higher needs.” Other church teams worked with


residents to improve agricultural or entrepreneurial efforts. Trip participants were recruited because they brought


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