Arizona Central SDA Mission Trip 2019
Written by Zanele Malaba
“Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Savior mingled with the people as one who desired their good. He showed sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He invited them, “Follow Me.” (Ministry of Healing, page 73. Ellen G. White).
Nancy Crosby and her husband give evidence to the truth of this faithful teaching as they have followed Christ’s method alone in their work to reach the Native American people group living in close proximity to the AZ Central SDA Church. They have mingled with the people, been intentional about learning their culture and diligent in ministering to their needs. They have won the people’s confidence and continually work to bid them “follow” as they follow Jesus.
It was therefore in this context of evangelism that Nancy contacted Build and Restore founder Ostap to invite him and a team of missionaries to come and serve the Native American people in the area. In Isaiah 65:24 God says “Before they call I will answer…” which was exactly the case here as some time prior to Nancy’s call, Ostap had been in discussion with F5 Challenge founder Calvin with regards to a ministry partnership that would incorporate health and fitness into a building mission trip project. God had been working behind the scenes all along leading, guiding and piecing together each detail to make the mission to the AZ Central SDA Church a success.
The Lord prepared the hearts of 90 volunteers to go and serve. Truly He is the Lord of the harvest and will send out workers as we ask Him to (Matthew 9:38). The scope of the work consisted of removing and installing 5,200 square feet of roofing at the AZ Central SDA Church. The pastor’s house received 1,300 square feet of new roofing. The Church also needed a new coat of paint. A free medical clinic was set up for the purposes of sharing the health message, which is the right arm of the gospel, in an effort to educate and serve the community through the provision of free dental, medical and lifestyle counseling. Just as Jesus exemplified, personal effort would be used to not only meet physical needs but also relieve suffering through medical missionary work.
The team was divided into 3 groups. About 45 of the volunteers served in the medical clinic which was set up under a tent structure that the Church rented. The other 45 volunteers conducted the building project and a children’s program. Over 200 individuals from the community were served through the free medical clinic outreach. As people checked into the medical triage area, kind and compassionate nurse volunteers greeted the ailing. The AZ Central SDA Church pastor was present to offer chaplain services and extended the invitation to the free alcoholics’ anonymous (A.A) therapy sessions that would be held at the Church. The Savior has power to break addictions and is willing to free those in bondage as they cry unto Him for deliverance. Through these A.A sessions a community need was being met and God would be glorified.
The AZ Central SDA Church also rented a manlift, purchased plywood for the roof repairs, roofing materials, 13 buckets of exterior paint, rollers, trays and brushes. Praise God for the faithful member offerings that make it possible for the Lord’s work to be undertaken as He would have it be, praise God for the faithful members at AZ Central SDA Church! A total of $12,800 was budgeted for the mission endeavor and the estimated cost savings was projected to be over $46, 000. The value of each soul that was reached cannot be estimated in currency of silver or gold, Calvary alone tells the cost!
The local children in the community were also ministered to through playful and fun excursions to Horseshoe Bend and Bryce Canyon. Here they beheld nature, God’s second handbook and were taught of the Creator who loves each of them and bids all children to come to Him.
A devotional thought was shared every evening during the week long mission project. Locals as well as the AZ Central SDA Church members gathered together to listen to the messages presented. At the conclusion of the week, 37 individuals signed up for Bible studies! God is to be praised for the great things He has done in bringing success to the work!
As we gather to undertake the mission assignments that God would have for us each to do, may we find encouragement in the faithful teaching that says “so then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.” (1 Corinthians 3:7).