CWU Students Participated In Mission To Mexico

April 22, 2005

Contact: Robert Lowery (509-963-1487/fax 509-963-2301/e-mail: loweryr@cwu.edu)

ELLENSBURG, Wash. - Fourteen Central Washington University students were among 18 who went on "Mission to Mexico Spring Break 2005." Sponsored by the CWU student chapter of Campus Ambassadors in conjunction with AMOR Ministries of San Diego, the volunteer group traveled to Mexico to provide adequate housing for a select family.

The eight-member Aguilar Verdugo family, including a niece and nephew, were referred to Campus Ambassadors by a local pastor and screened by AMOR. The family lives on the outskirts of El Florido near Tijuana.

The university students helped build an 11-by-22 foot, two-room home with a slab floor, stucco-finished exterior, two windows and a door. The AMOR-designed home is built according to community standards and allows a group without skilled labor or power tools to complete the project.

Each participant paid $450, which included building materials that were delivered to the construction site, and all meals.

"In 20 years of trips to Mexico, I have always seen students develop their character and perspective through the experience," Matt Lundquist, co-director of Campus Ambassadors at CWU, says. "They learn about materialism, servanthood and teamwork by serving others across economic and cultural borders. I can't imagine a better project for developing cooperation and leadership. Several students had specific areas of responsibility like; food, camping gear, and tools. Each participant's willingness to help out wherever needed made this trip a joy to lead. Their commitment to God and desire to share His love made our mission a great success."

While the actually construction was finished in about 35 hours, spread over three-and-a-half days, just getting there was half the work. The students traveled in two eight-passenger vans and a mini van for the 3,050-mile spring break road trip.

The team left Ellensburg on Thursday, March 17 and returned Saturday March 26.

Campus Ambassadors is a national ministry with students who come from a variety of Christian and religious backgrounds. Central's chapter is among seven at community colleges, colleges and universities in the Pacific Northwest.

AMOR helps sponsor short-term mission trips based on serving a local church in Mexico, while allowing for cross-cultural understanding.