Soquel Camp Mission Trip
Written by Zanele Malaba
Nestled in a valley surrounded by lush green hills and picturesque blue skies with dotted white clouds lies Soquel Camp Conference. This is the mission site the Lord led a team of nine Build and Restore International volunteers to serve during the third week of August, 2021.
It is always a joyful delight to see the miracle of young people choosing to turn aside from frivolous worldly pleasures and remember their Creator in the days of their youth as they respond to the call to co-labor in His vineyard (Ecclesiastes 12:1). This particular mission trip was no exception as several young people shared in the work to restore two auditoriums and five pre-selected meeting rooms at the conference center. These are no ordinary rooms. Knees will kneel in humble submission to God in these rooms, messages of salvation will be proclaimed in these rooms, decisions will be made for Christ in these rooms and souls will be won for the Kingdom in these rooms!
The restorative missions work involved refurbishing each room with brand new durable and cosmetically appealing waterproof flooring. The old carpeted flooring had waxed old as evidenced by the difficult task it was to remove, so much so that a side by side utility vehicle had to be used to aid in the carpet removal. This portion of the work was tedious as little by little, piece by piece the glue that loyally cemented the carpet to the floor was broken asunder. It is at such times during mission trips that spiritual lessons often read in scripture take heart and hold. Through the exercise of patient, dutiful labor and endurance the desired favorable reward is realized. Had the laboring missionaries chosen to forsake the side by side machine and abandon the laborious work, their desired goal of beautiful new flooring would not have become sight. So, we too in this laborious work of character perfection must allow the free working of the Holy Spirit to break up the fallow grounds of our stony hearts, little by little, piece by piece, patiently enduring the process so that we may at the last behold our precious Savior face to face! (2 Corinthians 3:18, 1 Corinthians 13:12)
A much favored part of mission trips are the miraculous happenings that our Heavenly Father orchestrates so as to encourage all who are present of His presence amongst them. He simultaneously also encourages those who later hear about these miracles to move forward in faith towards the task that He calls them to undertake. One such miracle happened during this particular Soquel Camp Conference mission trip. Suddenly the concrete grinding machine stopped working and despite repeated attempts, it would not turn back on. Build and Restore founder Ostap soon became very nervous and worried as the grinding machine belongs to his dad. He consulted with his uncle who was present at the mission site on what to do, but to his dismay, his uncle did not have the answer. It was then that a thought came to Ostap to pray and seek Jesus’ help. Surely He would know the answer. And so he prayed. The next thought that came to his mind following Amen was to check the machine’s wire connection. This was a strange thought to him as he was sure he had checked them prior. But as he looked he saw a wire connection that he had not checked earlier. Lo and behold, that was the wire connection that had not been fully plugged in. After securing the plug the grinding machine instantly began to work!! I am reminded of James 1:5 where our Savior invites us to come and seek wisdom from him and assures us that He will give wisdom generously and without finding fault to all who ask in faith without doubting. Friend whatever the perplexity, bring it to Jesus, in faith ask for His wisdom on matters great and small, God delights to answer you!
Before the project began, Ostap had concerns that he would not have enough volunteers. A day before the mission would start, one volunteer called to say that he and his son would be able to come and serve three days on the mission project. As soon as they left, another volunteer called and said that they would be able to come and serve for the remaining two days – praise God He had provided for His work!! God truly blessed the work of their hands and all the work was accomplished two days ahead of schedule. Tis so sweet to Trust in Jesus!
So whatever the mission, service or station the Lord is calling you to, may you go forward in faith remembering that all His biddings are His enablings! (Christ Object Lessons by Ellen G. White. Chapter 25)