Why Visit LPI?

 At La Lydia, we believe in the power of service and Community. We joyfully welcome all mission groups who share our passion for making a difference in the world. Whether your focus is local outreach, disaster relief, youth empowerment, or global missions, we are honored to partner with you in sharing Christ's love through action.

 A mission trip to Lydia Patterson Institute (LPI) offers youth and adults a unique opportunity to:

• Engage in cross-cultural ministry within a bilingual, bicultural community

• Explore life on the U.S.–Mexico border through the lens of faith, justice, and compassion

• Serve in meaningful ways that are hands-on, relationship-focused, and mission-aligned

• Reflect on Christian values of hospitality, service, and discipleship in a real-world context

Each visit includes a blend of your-choice experience with spiritual reflection, and learning. Activities may include:

• Chapel with Students – Join our weekly worship service (Fridays only) alongside LPI students and staff.

• Campus Service Projects – Help with light facility work such as painting, landscaping, organizing, and beautifying shared spaces.

• Skilled Labor Opportunities – For qualified volunteers: carpentry, general repairs, plumbing, electrical, and minor construction tasks.

• Faith and Reflection – Lead or participate in group devotionals, theological discussions, or moments of prayer during your visit.

• Walk in Their Shoes – A guided experience crossing into Ciudad Juárez to better understand the daily realities many students face (valid passport required).

Other Unique Border Experiences can Include Visits to;

• Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center – Provides free and low-cost legal services for immigrants, asylum seekers, and refugees.

• Estrella del Paso – Offers legal aid for unaccompanied minors and families seeking humanitarian relief.

• Border Network for Human Rights (BNHR) – Leads grassroots organizing and advocacy efforts for immigrant rights and policy reform.

• Hope Border Institute – A Catholic-rooted organization focused on border justice through policy, theology, and advocacy.

• Annunciation House – Offers hospitality and emergency shelter for migrants released from immigration detention.

• Alliance of Border Collaboratives (ABC) – Advances public health, equity, and housing through binational partnerships.

El Segundo Barrio is a historic neighborhood in El Paso, Texas, often referred to as the "Ellis Island of the Southwest" for its longstanding role as a gateway for Mexican immigrants. Rich in cultural heritage and revolutionary history, the barrio served as a hub during the Mexican Revolution and remains known for its close-knit community, vibrant traditions, and striking murals. Its streets are lined with historic buildings that continue to tell the story of migration, resilience, and faith along the U.S.–Mexico

Bowie Bakery, located in El Paso’s Segundo Barrio, has been a beloved institution since its founding in 1951. Deeply rooted in the neighborhood’s Mexican-American heritage, the bakery is known for its traditional pan dulce (sweet bread) and other classic baked goods. Its story is closely tied to that of Segundo Barrio itself—a historic community that has long served as a gateway for families arriving from Mexico and building new lives in the United States.

Lodging, Meals, and Safety

• Groups have the option to stay in LPI’s on-campus guesthouse—affectionately known as the "White House". It’s a modest, comfortable home that includes a kitchen, restrooms, and shared sleeping space for up to 16 people.

  LPI provides on-site staff support, airport pickup (if needed), and a secure, supervised environment throughout your stay.

  Visiting groups are responsible for all meals. You are welcome to cook in the guesthouse, order in, or explore nearby restaurants based on your group’s preferences.

  The guesthouse includes:

  • Refrigerator, stove, microwave, and basic cookware

  • Dining space and kitchen area

  • Easy access to nearby grocery stores and restaurants

  • Proximity to recreational venues such as the El Paso Chihuahuas ballpark, local museums, and other downtown entertainment options

Walk in Their Shoes

“Walk in Their Shoes” is a powerful experience at Lydia Patterson Institute (LPI) that helps visitors understand what many of our students go through every day.

As part of this activity, participants walk through El Paso’s historic Segundo Barrio and cross the Santa Fe International Bridge into Ciudad Juárez, Mexico—just like many LPI students who make this journey to attend school in El Paso. Along the way, visitors pass murals, street vendors, families, and the daily rhythm of border life. It’s busy, loud, and deeply real.

In Juárez, the group continues down Avenida Juárez, a vibrant but worn corridor filled with taco stands, souvenir shops, street musicians, and the everyday activity of a city on the move. The air may smell of grilled food, car exhaust, or dust. The sidewalks are uneven, and life is raw and visible—families working, people resting, vendors calling out to passersby.

The return to the United States is a key part of the experience. Participants walk back toward the Santa Fe Bridge and join the line of people waiting to re-enter El Paso. Depending on the day, the line may move quickly—or stretch slowly under the hot afternoon sun or chilly desert wind. There’s no shade, no seating, and no shortcuts. Just a long wait with commuters, students, and families all doing the same.

This is the daily experience for many of our students.

“Walk in Their Shoes” isn’t a tour—it’s an invitation to experience border life through the eyes of someone who lives it. It helps participants understand the strength, resilience, and determination it takes to cross this border—not once, but every day—in pursuit of an education and a better future.

Groups such as the Nebraska United Methodist Foundation and the Kansas Methodist Foundation have taken part in this journey to witness firsthand how LPI supports students with hope, faith, and opportunity—one crossing at a time.

In short, “Walk in Their Shoes” is a chance to see the world through our students’ eyes.

REGISTRATION FORM

Cost and Support

Group Registration

• Flat Registration Fee: $350 per group
  Required to confirm your reservation.

Lodging Rates (Per Group)

Includes guesthouse lodging for up to 16 people, kitchen access, and linens.

1 Night

• 6–8 people: $300

• 9–12 people: $375

• 13–16 people: $450

2 Nights

• 6–8 people: $500

• 9–12 people: $600

• 13–16 people: $700

3 Nights

• 6–8 people: $675

• 9–12 people: $800

• 13–16 people: $900

Transportation Options

• Airport pickup or drop-off: $25 per trip

• LPI van (group provides driver): $60 per day

• LPI staff driver (optional): $75 per day

Walk in Their Shoes – International Experience

Pricing by Group Size:

• 1–4 participants: $100

• 5–8 participants: $150

• 9–12 participants: $200

• 13–16 participants: $250

Notes:

• Groups must bring valid passports

• Experience duration: approximately 2.5 to 3 hours

• Fee includes staffing, coordination, and materials

• Proceeds support LPI’s 100% scholarship model