Danville Students, Volunteers Build Homes for Families in Mexico

DANVILLE, CA -- More than 250 students from 13 schools from the greater Danville area recently participated in CPC Danville’s annual trip to Mexico, during which the church built 16 homes for Tijuana families.

During his 13 years of organizing the trip, CPC Danville Director of Student Ministries Pastor Bill Haslim has brought more than a thousand students to Mexico. In addition to the 250 students, more than 75 adults also make the trip down to help lead and support the students’ efforts.

“Our students show up and start with just a plot of dirt. Four days later, they are able to hand a set of keys to these families, some who are living in no more than a cardboard shack," Haslim said. “It’s a powerful and rewarding moment.”

In some cases, an entire family decides to make this their Spring Break trip, as was the situation with the Nickelsons. Diana and Ryan traveled with their sons Charlie and Daniel. This was their first time going altogether.

“It was an awesome experience as a family to serve alongside students of the San Ramon Valley and families of Tijuana,” Diana Nickelson said. “It was a privilege to spend the week with CPC building homes and relationships with the students and the families there.”

“One of the most valuable life lessons our students take from these trips is seeing how happy the families are in Mexico despite living in extreme poverty," said Caleb Bonifay, the Director of ROCK, CPC’s highschool youth group. "These families have so much joy, so much gratitude, and that’s a great message for these kids.”

Volunteer and student sign-ups for next year’s trip opens in early December. More information is available at www.cpcyouth.org. A recap video of this year’s trip can be viewed at https://vimeo.com/cpcdanville/review/330849578/54a0860b89.