Minot State University students who were a part of Cru got an early taste of summer weather this spring during the organization’s eighth mission trip to Puebla, Mexico, where they collaborated with local churches to distribute water filters and to share the gospel.

Cru is a nationwide Christian organization that connects college students pursuing spiritual growth to their peers. Students and staff meet weekly to come together in prayer, share a meal and to study the Bible. They finish their evenings with student-led worship and fellowship.

Cru partners with the organization Filter of Hope, which provides families living in poverty with water filters to ensure easy access to clean, safe drinking water. Each filter is the size of a soda can and can last up to 10 years with proper maintenance. Each can produce up to 25 gallons of clean water each day. All filter components needed to install a filter fits inside a quart-sized plastic bag and can be installed in about 15 minutes.

During MSU’s spring break from March 7-14, 52 students, 24 staff and 19 children of staff members from numerous colleges across North Dakota worked with local churches in Puebla to connect them with local communities in need. Jason Skjervem, a staff member of Cru Campus Ministry, said the local churches send translators with each group to help bridge the language and cultural gaps to ensure safety and promote successful results.

MSU Student Hudson Skjervem said he formed a strong bond with the local translators.

“They were a blast to be around. You connect with them in such a special way because together you present the gospel,” he said.

Ashlyn Vix, another MSU student on the mission trip, said the locals offered warm receptions to the American groups.

“This was my second mission trip, so I wasn’t nervous. They were a very welcoming group of people,” she said. “You’re coming into their courtyard and they’re whipping chairs out of their homes and they’re ready to sit and listen to you. I just thought, ‘I can do this. I can share the gospel.'”

For several students this wasn’t their first mission trip, but for Kennady Dewitz, it was a leap of faith. She described herself as a shy individual and stayed quiet in the back of her group during presentations.

After some strong encouragement from her peers, and a lot of prayer, Dewitz took charge at their final stop and led the group.

“We weren’t supposed to go to another house, but one opened at the last minute,” Dewitz said. “I had shared the gospel for the first time ever in my life. It was very scary but my group was there to add on and our translator also gave me a lot of grace.

“I think what I took away from this trip and from that experience is that you don’t have to depend on just yourself. You can depend on your group and God, and God will provide. I took away a lot of leadership skills and learned how to be more confident in how I spoke about God. It was very powerful. It was truly a life-changing experience. I took so many things away from this trip that I will use every day in my life,” she said.