Our missions duplexes were placed by God on Rick's heart several years ago. We knew missionaries needed a place to relax and recharge after facing the rigors of being full time on the mission field. When our missionary families show up, they've usually been running 90 to 9 and are now running on empty! We know, having been there, that a comfortable, clean, peacful, private place to stay can make all the difference in the world, even if it's just for a couple days or overnight. We had our missionary rooms in the main building, but we have many families with too many kids to fit them all together, which many of them prefer. The main building can also be a hub of activity and not the most peaceful place to get some rest. Rick brought his vision before a group called POWER ministries out of California, and they agreed to help build and partially fund the duplexes. Work was begun in January of 2004 and many people over the last year and a half have contributed their time, resources and talents to help us get them completed. As of August, 2006, our first side is almost ready to be used and the second is not far behind! This gallery tells the story of the 'evolution' of these short term use apartments that will be such a blessing to so many 'battle weary' missionary families. We want to give the 'front line warriors' a first class R & R station to help recharge them, physically and spiritually' for the next round. Our families have been watching them come together and are so excited to be able to use them. These will be open to full time missionary families staying overnight with us or for several nights. They will also be available to each family, twice a year, one week at a time for an extended 'get away' or vacation time, which can be very beneficial if you live in some of the conditions they do all the time. We just had a family stay overnight with us after a trek out of S. Mexico. They only live over the border in Nuevo Laredo and could have easily gone home, but they live in a Colonia (poor area). They moved there to be close to the people they minister to and their ministry, but at this time, have no electricity, running water or indoor plumbing! Even for them, one night w/us, a comfortable bed, hot shower and hot meal were a blessing, and they are only a few miles away from us! What an awesome God we serve, that He cares about even small comforts. We thank Him that He put this vision in our hearts to serve our missionaries in this way. We're planning on several more duplexes. Should you want to help in their development, please contact us here at LSS.