Jan Garbett, mother, family historian, and philanthropist has passions that range from caring for the earth to caring for people who’ve been overlooked. Envious of those who have the gift of tongues, she herself struggles with foreign languages except when it comes to songs of praise. There she overcomes timidity from the strategic position of the organ bench bearing testimony with hands and feet. Bryson was the founder of Utah based Garbett Homes one of the states largest and most innovative home builders. He is a founder of the Escalera Foundation which has built schools and provided educational opportunities for underprivileged children in Mexico for over 20 years.

Jeff Garbett has lived in Chiapas and traveled the region extensively. His years at Garbett Homes equipped him to supervise Escalera’s most extensive school building years. Trained in lean management and real estate, Jeff is well balanced with a sense of humor and a resonant voice that communicates despite language differences.

After serving in the Tuxtla Gutiérrez mission Laura McFarland and her husband Layne have continued interactions with the many friends they made. “Our hearts are full of joy and love for the families we taught the gospel. Layne and I say often ask ourselves 'why were we so blessed to make and have so many beautiful friends in Mexico?’  One of our goals has been to get families to the temple to receive their blessings. We love the temple and enjoy seeing families sealed together in the temple. 

Several of the men from our mission have come to our farm to work in the summer months. This has been a financial blessing for their families and a great  help for us on the farm. The sun is my friend, I love doing anything outdoors: hiking, biking, ATV riding, pickleball, and of course, working!

I am proud of my Mexican heritage and was raised in California before moving to Utah to pursue higher education at the University of Utah. As a bilingual English and Spanish speaker, I value the opportunity to connect with diverse communities and help bridge language and cultural gaps. In my free time, I enjoy running, reading, and spending quality time with family and friends. Above all, I am passionate about serving others—bringing support, encouragement, and compassion to individuals and families brings me genuine joy. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to an organization dedicated to empowering and uplifting low-income communities.