When Anthony Sierra traveled to northeastern El Salvador just before the start of the 2026-27 school year, he went prepared to build homes through his church.

Alongside 14 other volunteers, the newest member of Oak Knoll’s Facilities team helped construct a home in Joateca, a community in the Morazán department of northeastern El Salvador. But over the course of the mission trip, the work expanded well beyond the walls of a single house.

Sierra’s group, “God’s Country Project” – an initiative of the Living Word Church, also visited a local school and taught a Bible lesson, while distributing goodie bags and a piñata to students. Other outreach included cleaning up a church and donating 50 soccer balls to local children.

Long-term, the group’s goal is to build 100 new homes in the community, and three have been constructed so far, Sierra said.

“I was inspired to take part because faith requires action,” Sierra said. “You must say ‘yes’ to God’s command. When Jesus says, ‘Go’, you go. You serve others just as Jesus did.”

He saw faith in action during the trip itself, as Joateca was in the midst of a drought, with a small river struggling to provide the water the community needed.

The group prayed for relief, and toward the end of the trip, rain arrived and continued for several days, providing much-needed water.

“There is nothing too impossible for God to accomplish,” he reflected. “Miracles happen every day. It is our job to remind others that no matter what, the Lord can restore and provide.”