I just returned from the Buckner mission trip to Mexico and want to express my appreciation to Bro. Chad, the mission committee and the church for supporting this ministry opportunity. As a result of this support we were able to see God’s hands at work in the lives of people in a very poor community in Tuxtla Chiapas Mexico. And the lives of the men from our church that went in response to His calling were changed, refined, shaped and renewed as a result of the service we were able to be a part of.
The first day in Chiapas we went to two locations. In the morning we went to a remote village to model God’s love through service and volunteerism in a school for children with special needs. Buckner wanted to show the families of the students that God is love and that when we love we are the hands of God at work. It was moving to pull up along side the families and Buckner staff to paint games on a playground, bury tires along a walking path and share stories about our families and lives. Buckner is just getting their foot in the door at this location and is trying to move the attitude of the people from one of selfishness to one of generosity and compassion.
The balance of our time the first day and the rest of the trip was spent in another poor community building a house for a family who literally lived in a shack.
The men in the group from our church donated the money to purchase the materials for the home. The total cost was $3,000, which was enough material for a house that was a few hundred square feet in size with a concrete floor, very thin cedar siding and a tin roof. The home owner, community volunteers, Buckner staff and our team worked tirelessly for 3 days to finish the floors, walls and roof before we had to return. The home owner has progressed through the Buckner program that included over a year of community service with Buckner.
Much can be accomplished in three days.
The family and their new home.
The family was excited to receive their new home. They provided gifts to the team.
Time out to celebrate and pray with another family during their son’s birthday party.
Buckner was trying to accomplish 2 objectives through our mission. First, to show the people in the community that being compassionate and showing God’s love by helping others will result in others and God being compassionate to them. Second, to move people in the community from a spirit of selfishness to a spirit of generosity.
In addition to these primary activities we were able to verbally share some background about our lives in the US and that we were there because of God’s love for us and for them. We were able to share with a group of 20-30 children that gathered around as we were building that God loved them, we shared God’s love with the men that volunteered with us, we shared the plan of salvation with a few that wanted to know more.
Our team got to spend time with these kids talking about our families and telling them about God’s love.
Jeff sharing Christ with one of the helpers.
We were in Chiapas briefly, Wednesday through Sunday, but we could see God at work in the communities we served and in the lives of the Buckner staff. We give testimony to God working in our lives through the blessings he provided each of us as we attempted to show His love and compassion to His people in Chiapas.
God is still in the business of changing lives.
Sincerely,
Bill Nicholson
FBC Allen Missions 