Osvaldo and Vanessa Lerma serve at the Send Relief Ministry Center in Laredo, Texas, just miles from the U.S.-Mexico border. There, they host mission teams and connect them with local churches and a respite center to minister to refugees seeking legal asylum.
“We minister alongside churches who have been called to share Christ with hurting people,” Vanessa says. “We’re always amazed at what refugees go through to come here.”
Volunteers help provide meals, hygiene kits, and a safe place to rest—but most importantly, they share the hope of Jesus. For many churches, this hands-on experience inspires new compassion ministries back home.
The Lermas show what it means to serve on the frontlines of compassion, helping both refugees and churches discover how to respond to human need with gospel-driven love.
Through the Cooperative Program, our church supports missionaries like the Lermas and other Send Relief efforts.
Pray this week that missions teams will learn lessons in Laredo that will help them to start compassion ministries in their own communities.