Connecting churches to ministry opportunities along the United States/Mexico border is Osvaldo Lerma’s goal as the director of Send Relief’s Laredo ministry center in Laredo, Texas. Recently, the ministry center’s connections have grown both deeper and wider.

Over spring break this year, Osvaldo organized a community outreach at Laredo’s 15th Annual Kite Festival. The Laredo ministry center joined with a local church, First Baptist Laredo, as well as volunteers all the way from Birmingham, Alabama, to share the gospel and show the love of Jesus.

In April, Texas WMU partnered with Osvaldo to assemble more than 300 compassion bags at its annual Pursue conference. The bags, which are being distributed to children in foster care, individuals facing homelessness, refugee families, and others struggling along the border, provide essential items and serve as tangible expressions of compassion.

In July, more than 20 volunteers from across the US traveled to Laredo to minister alongside Osvaldo, participating in ministry to people who are homeless, food distribution, and refugee ministry projects. Osvaldo expects another missions group to visit the Laredo ministry center in October, and more than a dozen different groups are scheduled for 2026.

Both life and ministry in a border town can be difficult. However, Osvaldo and his work with the Laredo ministry center are proof that together, we can make a difference. Pray for Osvaldo and his wife, Vanessa, as they serve refugees during this challenging time and for missions teams to learn lessons in Laredo that will make them more effective gospel witnesses in their own communities.

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by Alison Howell