Since October 1991, Baja Christian Ministries (BCM) has been serving the spiritual and physical needs of the poor through engaging short-term mission teams in Baja California, Mexico. This month, Grand Homes and Kevin Kurkowski have been able to bring another home to a family in need in Tijuana, Mexico for the first time since 2008.

Kevin, owner of Pro Cut Lawn Care and Landscape and member of Grace Presbyterian Church turned to Grand Homes’ founder and CEO, Steven Brooks for a sponsorship for the first time six years ago. After committing his time to participate in mission trips with BCM twice a year, volunteers became reluctant to cross the border due to reputed violence in Mexico so the missions were put on hold. In 2013, Kevin contacted Sheryl Walker with BCM who told him there had been no word of violence from the missionaries who continued going into Mexico during this time. It was then that he decided he would continue his missionary work.

Since the partnership with Grand Homes was so successful, Kevin ran his idea by Mr. Brooks who graciously funded the project. With funding in place and only lacking manpower, Kevin was willing to be a “mission of one” if he had to. Thankfully, he was able to recruit four other men who had been on previous builds with him and the group of two Kevins, two Mikes and one Tom traveled to Tijuana early this month.

Wasting no time, the team was able to head straight to the worksite from the airport and framed the home within the first four hours. They ran into a snag when the tools they were using were too powerful for their electricity source and had to nail by hand instead. It took the team of five just two and a half days to build the new, 16 x 20 foot, 3 room, weatherproof home and latrine. They even found time to assist with a pancake breakfast for the neighborhood children!

The crew was sore and tired after working 13 to 14 hour construction days, but it was all worth it when the home was presented to the family of seven. The biggest payoff occurred when one man was so moved by the work BCM had done in the neighborhood (which increased from 0 to nearly 200 homes in the past year) that he was willing to write a check to fund the construction of the foundation for a church in the area. “That’s what it’s all about, getting a new start on life,” said Kevin who is proud to have completed his tenth home this year. We look forward to helping our friends again in the near future.

Click here find out more about Baja Christian Ministires and how to get involved.