How many days does it take for a family’s life to be drastically changed. Last month we found out that it can take just four days when a youth group comes together to raise a roof…literally. Northern Hills Church from Brighton, Colorado, traveled to El Faro with their group on a mission. Dona Julia is 70 years old and lives in small quarters with many members of her family. As part of the elderly food program, Tommy and Katie Matthews saw the need to build her her own space where she could comfortably take care of her own mother as well as her five grandchildren. After being abandoned by their mother, Julia stepped in to care for her grandchildren on the little means she has.

On the first day, the team hit the ground running by laying the cement ground and placing all the walls on the house and exterior kitchen. They continued on the second day by digging trenches for water lines and set trusses and purlins on the house and kitchen. The third day included putting the metal roof, finish the exterior walls, make doors and windows, and begin the interior walls and start the bathroom. By the end of day 4, they finished the bathroom, the water line, cleaned site, ran electricity, set the doors and windows, and finished the interior walls.

In order to make their trip possible, each student sent out support letters to church members and friends. In addition, they sold breakfast burritos made from the students coming on the trip for 12 weeks. And finally, each student paid a little from their own pocket so they could have ownership on coming on the trip.  Ryan Singleton, the youth pastor of the church, said “It is a life-changing experience for the students and also for the family that we are serving. This trip has turned the youth into disciples in one week. It has also helped each one of them to find God in a more profound way than they did before. I am sure that they will take the challenge on not letting their relationship with God die but instead share it and teach it. We will come back”.

Isaac Holtorf, age 17, said of his trip, “It has put my life into perspective and I am thankful for what I have. It has been a great way to reconnect with God.”

It is amazing what this young time were able to accomplish in one week that will affect the life of a family forever. Thank you Northern Hills for working so hard when the heat and humidity were strong and for also being open to receive what God had for you.