In 1994, Dennis and Maureen Scraba joined a group of volunteers on a short-term mission trip to Juarez, Mexico, to help build a church. They soon became very involved in taking groups there themselves, and in 2000, they incorporated Amigo Relief Missions, founded on a desire to provide an opportunity for Christians to experience missions work first hand.
To date, Amigo has led 100 teams to Mexico, travelling 3200 km each way on a 55 passenger coach bus. Our focus is to build meaningful relationships with team members, the local church, and the local people. The teams have helped build orphanages, churches, schools, and feeding kitchens; worked in men's and women's drug and alcohol rehab centres; operated dental and medical clinics; and delivered many boxes of medical supplies, clothing and shoes, eyeglasses, hygiene products, sewing supplies, and food.
Amigo has also been visiting Ukraine twice a year for around a decade. We have shipped 7 containers of medical equipment and supplies, soap, clothing and shoes, books, and other humanitarian items directly to Ukraine. Through the relationships we have built, we have helped bring financial support and supplies to Lviv Theological Seminary, a northern missionary school, and 8 State-run orphanages; and provided funding and expertise for a men’s alcohol and drug rehab centre as it has moved towards self-sustainability through agricultural ventures.
Over the past couple years, Amigo began leading short-term trips to Cuba, helping to build a church building, and bringing much-needed supplies and encouragement to pastors who lead small house churches in remote areas. We have also been a part of mission trips to Rwanda and to Nicaragua in past years.
In whatever we do, our goal is to serve God by helping the needy. “Whatsoever you do for these, the least of my brothers and sisters, you do for me.” - Matthew 25:40