Quest: April 16 - 23

A spirit of unity and cooperation flowed throughout the week as 12 guys from Quest broke all prior records of pouring cement, erecting a new roof and painting the church in Chalam, Chiapas, MX. Quest is a men's ministry of the United Methodist Church in The Woodlands, TX that is responsible for a tremendous amount of support with the missions endeavors here in Chiapas. Chalam is one of many villages that has been conducting worship services in a small wooden building that is typical to the area.

The American team blessed this group of believers with the finances for a block building and spent this past week working along side the local members to complete their project. The old wooden structure is now the new kitchen and ¨fellowship hall¨. Each work day the women of the local church prepared lunch and put forth a special meal to show their gratitude. These people are so extremely poor it was difficult for our American guys to eat food that was prepared and served with such sacrifice. Yet that is one of the ways which allows the believers of these types of villages to express what is in their hearts. Meals were shared together as the men from Quest were humbled and moved to tears by the kindness shown to them. And if freshness is a high priority, then this was the place to be! In fact the meals are so fresh that on some occasions, the guys witnessed live chickens in the church yard waiting to be part of the noon blessing.

Additional work that week was the painting of the interior and exterior of two other churches. One in Xunuch and the other in Linda Vista. Its not like you can drive straight to the church parking lot for some of these sights. In fact it was quite a walk to Xunuch carrying several 5 gallon buckets of paint and other supplies. The guys quickly adapted an Old Testament means of transporting and converted their paint roller poles into devises that enabled the load to be more evenly distributed on their shoulders.

After the completion of a church, it is always customary for the American team to join the local congregation for a time of celebration and prayer of dedication for the very special gift that was provided. Last Thursday prior to this service, the team did last minute touch up painting, installed electric lighting and carried in 20 new benches that were built during a few spare minutes of time in Chenalho. Thanks to Ed, the church has electricity. David , we enjoyed the laughter and excitement in the voices of each person from Chalam when they recognized their own picture from the slide show on your lap top. Thanks guys for sharing in song during the service. Pastor Alex shared the Word of the Lord, followed by Pastor Jose´s words of kindness and appreciation that touched us all. He said the blessing of the new building was more than they could have ever imagined! A prayer of thanksgiving was offered to God along with prayer for the American team and our home churches. We prayed for the sick and for Pastor Mariano and his wife for wisdom and guidance for the local church. All the team was moved by the hand made bags that were distributed to them at the conclusion of service as another expression of gratitude. They were told that the people didn't have much to give them, but this was a small gift of love for them to take home. It didn't seem small judging by the tears we saw these grown men shed. So if any of you see men in The Woodlands carrying purses to church, you will know a little about the love from a simple people with big hearts that it represents to them. Both men and women carry these in the mountains of Chiapas.

So much happens in one week, it is not possible to record all of the life shaping experiences on paper. The actual construction work takes most of the time, but it is such a small part of the work that takes place in our hearts. Each member of this team kept records of his own stories. These men from all different walks of life couldn't wait to write in their journals each evening. Gary´s journal was simply incredible since each page was illustrated. It was fascinating to everyone. What a gift!

As each evening continued and the work of another day was complete, we returned to our small home next door. We were comforted by the singing and praying that was heard coming from the mission facility. These men came seeking God, and we feel certain they left having found Him in a new way during their mission experience. They also prayed for one of their own, Jed, who was diagnosed with cancer right before this trip. Please keep him in your prayers as well.

Muchas gracias!

To all the first time team members, Kevin, Gary, David M., Ewan, Jed, Ted, David H., A.J. and Pastor Howard, its great having new friends! To Pete, Ed and John, we are honored you returned. Thanks guys for loving the people of Chiapas as your own family!

A special thanks to all the men of Quest who contributed in any way to this week´s endeavors. Pastor Rob, thanks for viewing this work in Mexico worthy of the men from Quest staying so involved. We appreciate you encouraging teams from this men´s group to keep organizing new trips.

And to John Hull, the missionary director at TWUMC, there are not enough words to thank you! It is rare to know someone who so completely understands the working of the ministry on both sides of the border. Your prior years as a missionary to México make our weeks with your teams run incredibly smooth. You exemplify Christ´s compassion to every man, women and child you encounter. Surely you make God smile!