Missionaries and Stories from the Field
This is one I didn't write; one of our Directors, Jim Byard, recently went on a trip with me, and here is his report:
On a "mission" for God!
Well, I just went on my first mission trip and, WOW . . . there are simply NO words to describe it (how does one put "emotions" into words?!?). To be able to tell, and share, with you how Spiritually enlightening, as well as educating, this experience was for me personally is going to be difficult to do - but I will try. Also, I will close this report as I started it: By telling you that if you ever have an opportunity to go on such a trip with Bob, do so -- it will be YOU who will be blessed, as well as probably changed by the whole experience! Now, I am not a great writer, and trying to write from my emotions makes this even more difficult, but bear with me -- I will try! So, read "between the lines", and ENJOY!
First of all, I am not, and do not have the gift of a missionary myself. So, therefore I just went on this trip as an "Ambassador of Christ". My assigned duties, as given to me by Bob, were to travel and assist him when asked, but really just to enjoy the trip (little did he, or I though, know what God had planned, and was going to teach me in the process!). That, it seems, is always the outcome of those who choose to get actively involved in God's work - it's full of surprises! Trust me, God will have something special in it for YOU! If you ever get a chance to accompany Bob on one of these trips, you'll miss the opportunity of a lifetime if you don't go. Now, to properly "try" to present my experience to you, I will have to do it in two parts. 1), being the excitement on the trip itself; and 2), watching and working with Bob himself -- as he "captures" the images of people, places and "things" to put together video messages for the missionaries that want to tell the world about their ministries, work and needs.
The Trip!
This rare chance came about when my current contract assignment with General Dynamics ended prematurely (coincident - or unknowingly "created" by God?!?). But, seizing the opportunity, I immediately accepted Bob's offer to accompany him! We left his house early Tuesday Morning, driving straight through to Eagle Pass, Texas (the noted humorous experience, and excitement up to this point, was me having to drive the "wrong" way on a one-way road for two blocks to get gas at 3AM in the morning!). We arrived the next morning at Brad and Linda Berg's home before sunrise, and slept in the car till they got up. Meeting them, they provided us with the hospitality that one only finds among Christian brethren. I remembered getting up the one morning and Linda asking me if I wanted breakfast (I sleep late -- and won't tell you how late! ha!)? Embarrassed, because of that, I told her it was all right if I missed it. She laughed and said it was no problem, that she had already fixed breakfast FOUR times that morning! Wow, good eggs, bacon and toast, etc.! We spent several days there, they giving us access to their personal computer, email, etc., while we traveled back and forth between Quamado, Texas and Piedras Negras, Mexico. Bob and I witnessed what they were doing with their ministry; children's needs being provided for in a Christian Environment, seeing churches being build, refurbished; and so on, as they explained to Bob what they wanted to present in the video he was to produce for them. DYNAMIC is the only word that expresses watching God's people working together for His Kingdom!
Still, little did I know that my "experience" was just beginning! Re-entering Mexico, we began our 5 1/2 hour trip to Saltillo, Mexico. We were driven there by Ernesto Fuentes, founder of Worldwide Hispanic Outreach Ministries of Mexico, in which Bob was to do a video for. Heading south I did not realize that Mexico was almost all desert. Reminding me of our Great Plains out west, I enjoyed its beauty and stared in amazement as the "dust devils" raced across the desert floor. And, as we approached the outskirts of Saltillo, I saw something that most Americans will never see: The GM, Chrysler and other American companies located there, complete with the fabricated "shacks" that their employees are forced to live in - the average person making only $6 a DAY! Horrible, I thought, what man does to man! Nevertheless, entering the city, my mind returned to why we were here. The city itself, cradled within desert mountains, reminded me of Albuquerque, New Mexico, though much older an poorer. Meeting Olga, Ernesto's wife, we again learned the meaning of Christian hospitality. They took us into their home, fed us great Mexican cuisine and treated us as though we were family. "Going to work", we went to the church, visited and filmed historical sites, both in and out of the city, and visited the two prisons which are included in their ministry. The activities at the church were some of the most Spirit filled that I have ever felt: men, women and children, of all ages participating in services, bible classes and group sessions designed to further the Kingdom of God! And, as for me personally, I was clear that you're never a stranger in God's house! As we interacted, I quickly realized I had more "brothers and sisters" in the Lord than I realized - and that language was not a barrier, I learned, between people who are connected Spiritually! And two young girls, Veronica and Lucia, I fell in LOVE with, and Spiritually adopted them as my daughters! Their stepfath had physically and sexually abused both; but you would never know it - a demonstration of God's power to heal and restore. Other highlights included a group of kids on a mission trip to do work in the church, with two of those boys being from prominent Mexican families, but themselves speaking English so fluent that you would have thought they were Americans instead! In short, if this experience with God's people is an indication of what Heaven will be like, then I can't wait for it to arrive! I could write a book on just this part of the trip, but realize I must move on.
Going back to the Texas/Mexico border, we met another one of God's most powerful and effective servants: Mario Calderon. A man of abounding energy, unlimited enthusiasm and pure love for our Lord. His ministries, and their outreach, I learned, encompass all of Mexico. Radio and TV ministries airing throughout his country, as well as still pastoring the local church that was founded by him. I was especially impressed with the tender, love and care that this man displayed, as he had to bury the FIRST woman that he had baptized when he started his ministry! Bob was honored to be asked to do this third video, of this trip, for him. With that being said, now I want to talk about the second part, and "purpose" of that trip, Bob's work!
Watching Bob work!
It never ceases to amaze me how God has distributed gifts to His people to further His Kingdom. Bob, and his work, are no exception. Watching him skillfully work, talk and guide the people he is working with (both men, women and children of all ages), to put together a seven to ten minute video is amazing. For example, he knows that leaving the tripod attached to the hand held video camera adds just enough weight to "steady" the camera, while he moves around capturing every required scene. He seems to instinctively know how to get each person to say what needs to be said, and when, as well as locate the geographic areas and find subjects required to complete the video's "visual" messages, etc. One example of this is when we got permission to go into an area closed to the general public, of the cities main Catholic Church. That allowed us to go up through the musty, catacomb stairs (reminding one of how it must have been in the "ancient of times" during the birth of the church), wander around, view and video the city from its rooftop! Another example, and as though God Himself "opened" that door, we went into Saltillo's State house, where Bob was granted permission to video rooms that were inaccessible to the general public. Such videos, produced by Bob, clearly are "one of a kind"! Bob, in my opinion, is one of God's Spiritual artists!
Well, that's essence of my report - hope you have enjoyed it! As promised, I'm ending this the way I started it: If you ever have an opportunity to go on a mission trip with Bob, don't let ANYTHING stop you! It will be an experience you will never forget, never regret; one that God will certainly bless and reward you for - probably in ways that you would have NEVER expected! With that said, "seize" the opportunity if it comes; and I look forward to reading YOUR report after you have done it! God Bless you!
Your "brother" in Christ,
Jim Byard