Goodbye for now....One thing remains

We can't take credit for the inspiration for all of this. This trip was planned by many supported by many more and changed from what it originally was supposed to be. Of the original 12 people scheduled to go, 10 went and 6 were on the original list. Very little went according to plan and yet it was an amazing experience and God knew all along this was the team that was meant to be here.

We are leaving friends, brothers and sisters in Christ and many needs unmet, and yet these are all temporary things. One day we will meet again, whether in this world or the next, one day language will not divide and sin will have no power over us. When we lave here and return home there is one thing that will remain. It calls to mind an amazing song inspired by scripture.


The song is called "One Thing Remains (Love Never Fails)" I recommend you check it out here

Here is the scripture that inspired it.

Higher than the mountains that I face (Psalm 46:1-3)
Stronger than the power of the grave (Acts 2:24-27, Romans 6:9, Hebrews 2:14-15)
Constant through the trial and the change (Numbers 23:19, Hebrews 13:8, James 1:17)
One thing remains (x2) (1 Corinthians 13:13)

Your love never fails it never gives up it never runs out on me (x3) (1 Corinthians 13:7-8, 2 Timothy 2:13)

On and one and on and on it goes (Psalm 100:5, Psalm 136, Ephesians 3:17-19)
It overwhelms and satisfies my soul (Psalm 90:14, Psalm 103:5, Isaiah 55:1-3, Jeremiah 31:25, John 7:37-38)
And I never ever have to be afraid (Psalm 23:4, Psalm 27:1-3, Psalm 91:5-7, Luke 12:4-5, Romans 8:15, 2 Timothy 1:7, 1 John 4:18)
One thing remains

In death and in life (Romans 14:8)
I’m confident and covered by the power of your great love (Psalm 91:4)
My debt is paid (Matthew 18:23-27, Colossians 2:13-14)
There’s nothing that can separate my heart from your great love (Romans 8:37-39)

This trip may end today, but one thing remains......

Special Interview with Sandy Hardies from MOST Ministires

Q: What motivated you to begin with MOST Ministries Initially?

A: "I love Culture, and I love the idea of being able of being able to go into another culture and talk about Jesus. So my motivation is missions. "

Q: What surprised you the most about this Trip?

A: "I knew we were going to have two teams here at Ysleta, but I didn't know that both of our teams were going to be at the same church at the same time in Juarez. So, that was a little surprising, but we got over it and then and God went to work. God usually has lots of surprising things for us on the mission field. Flexibility is key."

Q: Where did you see God at work today?

A: "The fact that the people are so happy with the idea of clean water in their lives. To save money in the long run, and lead a healthier life. From doctor bills, to having to purchase drinking and cooking water. 

Q: What has been your favorite part of the mission trip thus far?

A: "To come back here to Ysleta and see everything that they are going here is key. They are a big mission source. So being able to experience everything that they are doing, both here and in Juarez is really special. "

Q: What has been the most difficult?

A: " Two different approaches to missions, by two different teams."

Team Leader Sandy Hardies

Probably not what you expected but....

So you have gotten the highlights of the trip, the true stories, and the pictures to show what is going on down here. None of those blog posts are an exaggeration, if anything they are an understatement of what God is doing down here. However, there is another side of mission work that is not as glamorous as helping people.There may be a perception out there that everything is going to go smoothly just because you are on a mission trip. Wrong. The truth is there have been some challenges as well.

Peter says in Chapter 5 

"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." 

This is always true and Satan will do anything he can to discourage or derail. He was hard at work this week as well. When we got here there was another, albeit amazing, team from Nebraska here doing mission work, which complicated things. We didn't have the sleeping arrangements, living arrangements and daily mission arrangements we thought we did. The water filters didn't show up the first day (remember that is why we are here) and no one knew where they were. We have a lot of people who are fixers and take control and team dynamics were tested early and often. One of our team members had a spouse who was having surgery back home, another whose spouse was concerned about their safety, another who developed a cold, another who had a close family friend pass, and on and on. You know what is incredible though?

Everyday we spent time in prayer, in God's word, and loving Christ and loving people. So Satan's grip was real but overcome by God's grace and true Christian brothers and sisters walking as disciples together.  We knew what Paul says to the church in Ephesus is true:

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."



Mark Preuss shared an amazing devotion last night that was Holy Spirit driven. He reminded of us all of Paul's words to his friend Timothy near the end of his life. 

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

What most of us learned on this trip was how to respond to challenges with Christian love. There were a lot of times when someone would get really upset with something, and want to blow up, but then another member would pray with them, comfort, them, have a talk with them, and people were able to see it was going to be ok. People were able to see the intentions of someone, rather than just actions they didn't agree with.

Joanie also lead a really good Bible study that dealt with success verse significance; which are not always the same thing. Because of some logistical challenges (namely the missing water filters) some people were thinking that we were not going to be successful at our mission. But guess what? God worked anyway. God took what seemed like a chaotic situation and was still able to make it work for the people we were there to serve. Everyone still got their water filter. Bible lessons were shared. Proper health and hygiene habits communicated. People were loved on and loved back in return.

Everything about this trip was wonderful, awesome, amazing, Holy Spirit filled, and Christ centered. It was also challenging, frustrating, filled with impatience, and a need to control. Missions can be both. Life can be both. If we let the Holy spirit lead us, and keep God at the center of our lives, we can overcome these challenges with a Christ centered attitude. While we were trying to be the hands and feet of Jesus, we also were developing more of a heart like Jesus; to see people as they are and accept them, comfort them, and encourage them, to be more like Christ themselves. This is what fellowship is, this is what the church does.

Our Faith life is not a sprint it is a marathon. Our Mission Trip is not a week;  it's effects will last a lifetime. Our baptisms are not a one time event, but a daily reminder of who we are in Christ. Plans change, sin is real, people are imperfect, and yet one thing remains; the love of Jesus and the Church (God's people) throughout the world responding to that love. 

A Final thought... go on a mission trip! It will change people's lives, it will change yours. If you think it is not for you, it probably would benefit you the most. If you think it is you for you what is stopping you!?

Team member Interview: Chris Chauvin

Q: What motivated you to come on the Trip Initially?

A: "Need for people on this trip and heart for mission especially water.

Q: What surprised you the most about the Trip?

A: "The ease of crossing the boarder and safe quick passage every day. 

Q: Where did you see God at work today?

A: "In the prayer walking. People were so open to prayer. No one said no when asked, can we pray for you? God's provision filling all the needs of the group and people. 

Q: What has been your favorite part of the mission thus far?

A: "The teaching is the part I enjoy the most. I had an opportunity to share my gifts with the people."

Q: What has been the most difficult?

A: "Nothing in particular, the one thing is knowing we can't fix everything and its always hard to leave so much left to do."

Chris during health and hygiene class.

Day 6: Last Day in Juarez

Pastor Ben giving out a filter.

Today was bittersweet, we went back to the same site as yesterday and visited with many of the same people. Pastor Hernandez again began the day in prayer and with some excellent singing. We even found out some of the kids at SOTL sang the same songs in Spanish class this week!

We spent time sharing witness bracelets, playing with kids and teaching bible lessons. We did more hygiene education and were able to distribute 23 more water filters today and spent time with each family to make sure they understood exactly how this would benefit them. The people were so grateful today and genuinely will be impacted by these filters for years to come.
The children remembered us from yesterday and really wanted to play and interact with us. We were joined by some older kids who were not there from yesterday and they jumped right into the bible lessons and crafts and were a help to the younger children.

Kay in health and hygiene class.

After the filters were handed out, we were treated to an amazing homemade meal of mixed tacos and salsa from some of the ladies we served. There was a Mexican style bologna and ground meat in flour tortillas. There was also a green and red homemade salsa. We felt honored these ladies made us such a great meal!


After lunch we went on a prayer walk in the community. It was amazing and but also really tugged at our heartstrings. We were invited into the homes of a few of the people to pray for them and their family members. The eagerness of the people to have us, strangers really, into their home in order to pray was truly humbling. We talked to a shop owner, an elderly wheelchair bond woman, and a homeless man with his kids living out of a truck.

We had to say goodbye to our translators, who we have gotten close to, and this was very hard to do. One of the translators, Jesus, brought his daughter with him today, and watching him walk away with her in his arms brought tears to a few eyes. He had such a zest to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ and was a huge help to us. He asked us to show our families pictures of him. We all wish him the best.

Alex and Lupe during arts and crafts.

We were able to help out 50 families, distributing 50 filters. We have made an impact in this community for the better. But... there is still so much need here, there is still so much to do. Consider donating to the Ysleta Lutheran Mission in El Paso Texas, they do so much for the people of El Paso and the city of Juarez, they fund churches, medical clinics, house missionaries like us, fund house building projects, have a prison ministry, make hot meals for people, provide a free medical clinic a few time a year, and so much more! You can donate a one time donation, or sign up to give at least $10 a month and become a "Amigo de Ysleta." Please consider helping this wonderful organization fill the vast needs of these communities, and be able to continue to share God's love through acts of kindness.

To see more of what Ysleta Lutheran Mission is doing, please visit: https://ylm.org/

The team outside of Ysleta Lutheran Mission in El Paso.

Team member Interview: Mark Preuss

Q: What motivated you to come on the Trip Initially?

A: "I got excited after my first trip and wanted to be a part of another. I have been praying to God and feel He lead me into it. 

Q: What surprised you the most about the Trip?

A: "The way that everything transpired. Nothing seemed to go according to plan and yet it was amazing. The other thing is the people in Mexico loved to see us and their hearts were so open. 

Q: Where did you see God at work today?

A: "I saw God at work as we did a prayer walk today. They were excited and grateful to pray with us. You hear all the time in America about sick and unemployed and poor and we saw it today with everyone. 

Q: What has been your favorite part of the mission thus far?

A: "I have multiple things. Playing with Christopher (see pic in previous blog). Out interpreterss and their willingness to converse with us, and the language barrier went away. 

Q: What has been the most difficult?

A: "Me working through my frustrations when things as planned or as I thought they should. 

Mark and Christopher.

Team Member Interview: Alex Tyson

Q: What motivated you to come on the Trip Initially?

A: " I had went on a previous mission trip to Peru, and I saw what a lack of clean water did to the people, so I knew I needed to be apart of this water trip once it came up."

Q: What surprised you the most about the Trip?

A: " It is one thing to see poverty driving past it on the road, or on the news, or hearing about it from a friend. It is a whole other thing entirely to go into people's homes and see it at this level. "

Q: Where did you see God at work today?

A: "I saw God at work in a 12 year old Girl named Perla. We spent a lot of the day together, talking in my questionably functional Spanish. She made a plate in arts in crafts that said " God loves us all" and I made a plate that said, " Jesus me ama, la Biblia dice asi" which means Jesus loves me the Bible tells me so. I asked Perla if she wanted my plate and she did. She held onto both plates all day."

Q: What has been your favorite part of the mission thus far?

A: "Everything has been awesome. But I have especially loved interacting with the kids, building relationships with the translators and other members of the team. I also have really enjoyed making all the blog posts!"

Q: What has been the most difficult?

A: "Not being able to take some of the little children and puppies home with me!"

Alex and Lupe, the sweetest kid!

Team Member Interview: Greg Gessert

Q: What motivated you to come on the Trip Initially?

A: "Missions is important and the appeal of Central America enticed me."

Q: What surprised you the most about the Trip?

A: "How close we were to the wall where we were staying and the amazing operation at YSLTA. The amount of things they do is amazing. They help the homeless, feed people, give medical supplies, operate a thrift store etc..."

Q: Where did you see God at work today?

A: "Through the lens of the camera and In the faces of children."

Q: What has been your favorite part of the mission thus far?

A: "The people were so patient and the people would be eagerly waiting for us no matter what. Their full attention were on us."

Q: What has been the most difficult?

A: "Not being able to fix everything. Knowing that their is still people without filters, knowing that there is still such a need here, it is difficult to walk away."

Greg was our resident photographer and took most of the pictures!

Team member Interview: Kay Shalfeieff

Q: What motivated you to come on the Trip Initially?

A: "I feel blessed and therefore I should give back. To whom much is given much is expected. This specific trip, I helped work on a 5 year mission plan and felt the call to be active. ."

Q: What surprised you the most about the Trip?

A: "This is my first water resource, trip (I have done eye glass missions in the past) and the need for clean inexpensive water is huge. This is a huge impact for the people living in poverty near the border."

Q: Where did you see God at work today?

A: "The opening today where we sang and clapped together in Spanish even though many of us don't know the language. The language barrier was not problematic and it started the day off right. 

Q: What has been your favorite part of the mission thus far?

A: " Bonding with people from SOTL and getting into deeper relationships. It is a joy to have time to spend together." 

Kay, Helping to Assemble a Filter.

Q: What has been the most difficult?

A: "Relaxing and accepting the cultural differences and just living within them."

Editors note:The culture in Mexico is much more laid back, not as dependent on time, and relationships with people trump the pull to move onto the next thing. 

Day 5: New Faces

Pastor Hernandez leading worship.

We visited a community center in Juarez today. The church is called San Pedro and San Pablo  they do not have a brick and mortar church, but services are held at this community center. The center is owned by a women in the community, who opens it up several times a week to the church, other moms to cook food, and a place for kids to hang out after school. The center is located at a place just referred to as "Kilometer 30," meaning it is 30km from the border. The topography is very different from Anapura, where we had been the last two days. While the other community was hilly and surrounded by mountains, this area is flat and vast.

The Church is a one room building, so it had a more interment feel to it. Pastor Hernandez made us feel right at home by welcoming us to their community; leading us in a series of hymns in Spanish with his guitar. During class the team was able to answer more questions and get more information about their particular community. In this community a government water truck drives by once a week, and that is all the water that they have access to. The water is not potable either, so it needs to be boiled or they have to purchase water to drink.

Mark with the water filters.

Health and hygiene class.

The children's group was all preschool age kids, so we were able to play a lot of games with them, and share a brief Bible story of the women at the well. These kids really wanted to interact with us, and were eager to play and see pictures that we had.

We were able to go and do 3 home visits to give out the filters in this area. Just like the other community these people were so happy and appreciative to get their filter. As previously mentioned their is no running water in this community, the water truck delivers it all; but it isn't safe to drink. The filter will make this water drinkable, and they will no longer need to travel, and purchase water to drink. While these home visits were being conducted, other members of the team stayed behind to assemble the remaining filters for distribution tomorrow.

We came back a little early, and had a little more of a relaxing end of the afternoon. After dinner some of the ladies that we were serving in Juarez came to the mission to sell homemade bags and trinkets, which some members of the team bought in order to support them.

Water truck that gives out the weekly water supply.

The team outside of the community center.