Misión Candelilla is a service organization started by Fredericksburg locals with the goal of serving the communities on both sides of the Texas border, near Big Bend National Park.

The organization, now run by Executive Directors Curtis and Sara Allerkamp, teams up with various groups to serve clinical and construction-based mission trips.

The Rev. Clint Pluenneke of Holy Ghost Lutheran Church and St. Paul Lutheran Church at Cave Creek, and his wife, Dr. Anne Pluenneke, have served with Misión de Candelilla on eight different trips since 2006.

“One of the things that I love about it so much is that it focuses on those physical needs as well as those spiritual needs,” said Clint.

While the main focus of Misión de Candelilla is to provide medical clincs, the Pluennekes and their teams have served the villages a little differently.

“Our trips are a little unique in that ours are youth group trips,” said Clint. “So what we have done is construction projects, working on projects for the different villages.”

The group also puts on a Vacation Bible School aspect for the young kids in the village.

“Working with the kids is a huge part of it,” said Clint. “Building those relationships with those kids, for me personally, is what it’s all about. It’s such a joy.”

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