“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain . . . Behold, children are a heritage to the Lord . . .”  Psalm 127:1 & 3

MOST Ministries (Mission Opportunities Short Term) have been partnering with the Ysleta Lutheran Mission (YLM) for over five years.  They have led numerous water, health, and eye glass clinics to the people of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.  With these special mission opportunities, they always include the most important element—sharing the Gospel message of Jesus with everyone they come into contact.  From prayer to fun finger puppets, to colorful bracelets telling God’s story of salvation in such a way as to make it easy for people to share and spread the Jesus story, they make the “most” of mission work.

This was a special first-time mission opportunity for this MOST Team 2411, with many of them experiencing construction for the first time.  Most of those who were in the team were either returning to YLM, or seasoned mission workers, with some being here for the first time, but by the end of the week, those experiencing mission work for the first time were hooked, having a positive experience and already making plans to come back again, as soon as possible.

For a first-time team working together doing construction, they worked seamlessly, finishing the house right on time.  Prayer and devotion were led by different team members every day, at multiple points of the day; the beginning of the day, before and after construction, and at the end of the day.  New skills were learned, and new friends were made both among the team as well as with the family for whom the house was being built. The building of these new relationships was truly the “most” important part of their week.

Their diligent work on the little house, a bright turquoise with white trim, provided ample opportunities for Jessica, her nine-year-old daughter Nicole, and their family to help in the painting and other tasks. Nicole, along with her many cousins, had the joy of befriending and playing with the team members before, and after, their school hours. For the team, it was a joy to have the children around.

The MOST team gave them all colored-bead bracelets, teaching them the Gospel story as told by each colored bead.  Everyone, even the adults, wore them the whole week, practicing with each other in telling the story of God’s love for mankind.  One of the “most” priceless moments took place during lunch, when Nicole and her cousins took turns reading children’s Spanish Bible story books to the team.  Everyone was joyfully attentive, enthralled to hear the stories read by these beautiful children.  There were several times during the week when the children accepted the offer to pray at the beginning or end of the workday. These were truly precious moments where God’s children made the “most” of the mission work they were called to do.

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”  Prov.  22:6

Call (915) 858-2588 or send an email to luz.soto@ylm.org to get more information on how you, your family, friends, and congregation
can experience the joy of mission work through YLM’s Servant Event Ministry!