Mexico mission unites Wesley students
02-18-2009For Wesley Foundations in Arkansas, mission extends beyond the campus — even beyond the borders of the United States.
Twenty-eight students from four different Wesley Foundations traveled to Mexico in early January for a mission trip coordinated by Ozark Mission Project. The group helped to build three casitas (small houses) for families in Rio Bravo and the surrounding neighborhood.
“Anyone who’s been there knows that God is doing something in Rio Bravo,” said Mark Lasater, trip leader and campus minister at Southern Arkansas University. “I’ve seen what Christian volunteers — including several from our conference — have done to help transform some of these neighborhoods, one home and one family at a time. We’re thrilled to help with that mission.”
Participants worked through the Manos Juntas mission, which helps provide standard housing for families in the area. For a little over $2,000 in material costs, a team can construct a cinder-block casita in three days. Local builders supervise the work with the help of translators, and entire families often help build their own houses.
Jessie Waddell, a senior from Ouachita Baptist University, believes that connecting with the people of Rio Bravo was just as important as the building itself.
“Manos juntas means ‘hands together’,” she said. “It takes a lot of hands to build a home, but the real miracle happens when we get to know the people we’re working with. The things we learn from them matches whatever good we do for them.”
For Wesley Foundations from Henderson State University, Ouachita Baptist University, Southern Arkansas University and the University of Central Arkansas, this marks the third annual mission to Rio Bravo. This year, students from Arkansas State University also joined in the work.
Jason Molitor, HSU-OBU Wesley Foundation director and co-leader of the trip, praised the connection of the Arkansas Conference for helping make the experience possible.
“Local churches helped us tremendously on this trip,” he said. “If not for their support of campus ministry, we wouldn’t have young adults to take to Mexico, much less the means to get them there and back.”
Molitor also said that plans are in the works for another trip next year.
“Our students love going,” he said. “They love the work and they love the people. It’s a great expression of what following Christ is all about.”
