2 minute read
Danville Church Gears Up to Send More Than 350 Volunteers to Mexico
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By Deana Dickerson, Director of Missions, CPC, Resident since 2003
All photos by Stephanie Walker Photography
Every year, hundreds of students and adult volunteers from our Valley forego perhaps a mountain escape or beach getaway for their spring break. Instead, they elect to join CPC and several other churches in our area on a mission to build homes for needy families in very poor conditions in Northern Mexico.
“We build houses for families desperately in need of some security and stability for their own children,” said Bill Haslim, Associate Pastor for Student Ministries. “The work our students do on this project changes the lives of these families forever, but more than that, this experience changes our students’ lives.”
In addition to the roughly 250 middle and high school students that go, more than 75 adults also make the trip down to help lead and support the students’ efforts. In total, roughly 11 schools are represented by students on this trip.
“Many have never had a chance to serve someone else in a way that really makes a difference,” said Caleb Bonifay, Director of ROCK, CPC’s high school youth group. “In fact, many of the students going have never really experienced life outside of this community.”
The cost to send volunteers on this trip far exceeds what CPC collects from participants. As such, the church held its annual dinner benefit one weekend after the Super Bowl and raised more than $70,000. While that figure is impressive, the cost to support this trip is still running at a deficit.
“We want to make sure anyone can participate in this trip, and offer scholarships for those who can’t afford it,” added Haslim.
The families these volunteers help own land, but can’t afford a house. The students get to meet these families who work alongside the students to build the homes on their property. “It’s incredibly rewarding for the families, and our students, to share in this work together,” added Haslim.
If you would like to participate on this trip as an adult volunteer or a student, please go to http://www.cpcdanville.org/mexico/.
CPC is located at 222 West El Pintado Road at Diablo road in downtown Danville and holds church services Saturday at 5pm and Sunday at 9:00am and 10:45am. The church has weekly youth groups that meet on Mondays at 7:00pm for high school students and Wednesdays at 7:00pm for middle school grades.
