Family-friendly humanitarian expeditions offer the perfect blend of cultural experiences and meaningful service opportunities that will not only touch the lives of those in need but help draw your family closer together.

Recently I joined Family to Family Humanitarian Expeditions (FFHE) on a trip to Ensenada, Mexico, to experience first-hand how a trip filled with service rather than entertainment could impact someone. I believe I speak for all of us who participated when I say the experience was nothing less than life-changing, and one we will never forget.

The Ensenada Expedition
For our week-long expedition, fifteen people from all walks of life came together for one common goal: to make life a little better for two struggling LDS families. Grandparents and teenagers alike worked side by side on two construction projects—both of which were meant to significantly improve living conditions for these families.

Among our group was the Lamoreaux family—James, Margo, and their four youngest children: Ryan, age eighteen; Aubrey, age fifteen; Jamie, age fourteen; and Corrie, age twelve. This was the first expedition for Jamie and Corrie, but Ryan and Aubrey had traveled with James and Margo on similar expeditions before.

“These trips have been a great vehicle to teach values to our kids,” says Margo. “It’s a way to teach them to look outside themselves, serve others, and put the needs of others before their own. This is what you have to do to have a successful marriage, to be an effective parent, and to just contribute to the world.”

The Orphanage
While the majority of our time was devoted to the construction of these new homes, we were able to spend a day at a local orphanage for girls. We played games, danced, and made bracelets together. Some of the girls wouldn’t interact with us, and I can’t say that I blame them. We were, after all, only there for the day. Why bother to build bonds and grow attached? But the girls who chose to join us were happy to receive the love and attention we had to offer.

At the orphanage, we were joined by the Stoddard family—an LDS family who happened to be vacationing nearby. They were also seeking to incorporate some service into their trip.

“It’s wonderful to have fun together, but I firmly believe in the adage of ‘the family who works together stays together,’” says Cheryl Stoddard. “I wanted more than just fun to bind us as a family.”

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