Mission Report

Izamal, Mexico

Our time at Izamal was filled with lots of manual labor, waking up for a devotional at 7am, breakfast at 8am, and then we would leave to arrive to the first VBS by 9:30am. We would return to BICA for lunch, rest for 2 hours, and then go to the second church to run the second VBS.

However at night, the local volunteers would stay up late each night to prep for the next day’s VBS. In those times, we were able to fellowship, befriend them through immature jokes, and hear their life stories.

Joel’s Testimony

One of them, Joel, had a birth condition where his blood vessels did not develop correctly in his right leg. This was a source for chronic pain, physical disability to run, and bullying growing up.

He shared that things got serious when his back was suffering pain due to this condition and he would have sleepless nights. He was distant and apathetic toward God because of the pain God allowed him to suffer growing up.

When he first got his back checked up on, doctors informed him that he may never walk again.

On the night before his next doctor’s appointment, he was restless and knew he had to get right with God. He cried out to him, got right with God, and was able to fall asleep. The doctor said at the appointment that he has never seen his condition turn for the good so quickly. He admitted that his condition would still get worse over time.

However, that appointment was two years ago and his condition has only improved. And he has a fresh passion to serve Christ each summer at VBS, cultivate his barbershop skill to make a living, and enjoys fellowshipping with the brothers and sisters in Christ.

Reflection

Even though we communicated through Google Translate, Joel’s testimony pointed to the same God who still heals, saves, and transforms our lives.

Hearing his testimony solidified the truth we all know in the back of our heads going into a mission trip: It is the same God working all throughout the nations. Joel’s testimony of God’s faithfulness is nothing new.

And actually that’s something I loved most about short term missions trip. There is nothing new. What he’s doing in Izamal is what He has been doing throughout the church age.

God is faithful and is doing the same wondrous work of salvation yesterday, today, and forevermore.

And the question I ask myself is “If the same God is transforming lives all around the world, will I let him transform mine? Or is my comfort, riches, and idols getting in the way?”