KidsHeart draws 100 volunteers to the Valley

Posted: 3/31/06

KidsHeart draws 100 volunteers to the Valley

By Jenny Pope

Buckner Benevolences

MISSION—More than 100 people gathered in the Rio Grande Valley for the 2006 KidsHeart spring break mission trip, sponsored by the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Texas and Buckner Children and Family Services, to minister to families in the colonias along the Mexican border.

Teams served the community by holding Vacation Bible Schools, sports camps and computer classes, distributing food and clothing, and assisting with much-needed construction work.

First Baptist Church in Eagle Lake brought a 45-member team to construct a food pantry and begin work on a new congregation at Sublime Gracia Baptist Church in Progresso. They also distributed Bibles and held a block party for the community.

Members of First Baptist Church in Onalaska peer through the window of a new construction site in the Rio Grande Valley during KidsHeart 2006 spring break mission trip, sponsored by Buckner Children and Family Services in the Valley.

“The community has really embraced this church,” said Louis Herman, member of First Baptist in Eagle Lake and third-year KidsHeart mission trip participant.

“This area and the congregation have really grown so much, to the point where they not only needed a new food pantry, but a larger building for church services, too.”

Other churches that participated include the Church at Canyon Creek in Austin, Second Baptist Church in Lubbock, First Baptist Church in Copperas Cove, First Baptist Church in Onalaska and First Baptist Church in Waco.

“Throughout the years, many friendships have been formed between these churches and the Progresso community,” said Monica Skrzypinski, Buckner’s director of community relations for the Rio Grande Valley.

“As the group held hands and prayed together, you could feel the emotions, tears and love running through the circle as hope jumped from one prayer to another.

“It’s wonderful to see these two cultures melt together in one sentiment and really become like family.”

For more information about participating in Kids-Heart or about Buckner Children and Family Services in the Rio Grande Valley, visit www.bucknerchildren.org/rio grandevalley or call (956) 423-7909.