Missions
Click on the image to view the video from our trip
Brussels, Belgium 2011
Brussels, Belgium 2011
Brussels, Belgium 2011
Granada, Nicarauga 2011
Granada, Nicaragua 2011
Granada, Nicaragua 2011
Granada, Nicaragua 2011
Welcome to our missions section. Stay up-to-date on our all trips and projects around the world
Click on any trips location in orange text to view the video from that trip.Brussels, Belgium
November 8-17, 2011
On November 8, 2011, a team of 19 people from First Assembly departed for a 10 day, Builder's International/MAPS project in Brussels, Belgium. The building they worked on was constructed in the late 1960's and needed major repair.Once again, Dave Sekula oversaw the work.
Three major projects were engaged: 1. Totally gutted an apartment, removing and replacing everything as well as totally replacing all plumbing and electrical; Stripped to just bare walls and floor and completely redone. Pastor Darrell enjoyed throwing big appliances off the third story balcony a little too much.2. The Fire Escape was the primary project. The eleven ministries that headquarter out of the building, the European Ministry Center, were in jeopardy of being evicted because the fire escape did not meet code due to rust! Enter John Higgins! The three story fire escape was completely rebuilt. New rails, new steps, new supports, all cut, welded together and welded to the metal framing. Big Job! The last piece was welded into place about the same time we were to leave for the airport to come home. 3. The leaky roof over the garage/work shed had to be completely removed and a new roof put on. Unless you were there and witnessed it, you cannot imagine the volume of work that went into that project. Many tons of the seven previous attempts to fix the leaky roof had to be removed before a new, proper one could be installed. The dumpster was so heavy that the machinery used to lift it on to the tractor/trailer could not budge it. A new double membrane was installed. John Sandoval and his two sons, John and Chris along with Bob and Sean Jensen pulled an all-nighter the last night and were finishing the job when the first part of our team left for the airport. Yes, they arrived in time to make our flight. There was other work done such as rewiring electrical, plumbing, remolding a classroom, etc. Every team member was very busy. And our cooking team headed up by Judy Clark was fantastic. Judy was joined by Jan Hall and Yolanda Gianandrea, along with Joan Rogers, a Missionary, who was their ride to the store and helped cook.
Michael McNamee, our host missionary, has hosted dozens of teams. He says in an email: "Greetings from a cold Belgium. It is hard for me to adequately express my thanks to you for the INCREDIBLE job that you and your team accomplished in our building. You are easily the hardest working team I have ever hosted. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten by us and UNFORTUNATELY we will probably judge future teams by your standards. I am sorry that many missed the trip to Paris as it was a fun experience. It feels as if I have known some of the team for years."
Thanks to this entire team: Dave and Phyllis Sekula; Bob and Charlotte Paton; Bob Jensen; Sean Jensen; John Sandoval, John Sandoval (John-John); Chris Sandoval; Ann Ross; Jan Hall; Yolanda Gianandrea; Pastor Derek Johnsen; Pastor Darrell Wickert; John Higgins; Daniel Billingsley; Steven Lin; and Pastor Wayne and Judy Clark. Every one of them worked very hard, well beyond what was expected.
The Brussels Missionaries we worked with are: Michael and Beyrl McNamee; Albert Walsweer and Joan Rogers. Great group of very committed people. They served us like we were royalty!
There were some wonderful experiences for the team. One evening we went downtown Brussels for Greek Gyros, frits (French Fries) and Belgian Waffles (Belgian Waffles are a desert and are soooo sweet, almost too sweet). On several evenings there was a "Frit" run! Supposedly, French Fries were birthed in Belgium and is one of their "must experience" suggestions. And, oh yes, the Belgian Chocolate Shops were frequented by the group.
On Sunday, November 13th, we were privileged to attend the International Church. There were people there from all over the world! What an experience. Pastor Clark was their guest speaker that morning.
10 of the team were able to take a one day trip to Paris, France. The rest stayed to continue the work on the building... well, should say they refused to go to Paris.
The work of the Kingdom still thrives from the European Ministry Center. What a privilege to partner with them!
Granada, Nicaragua
June 30-July 8, 2011
We are told to "go." But where are we to go? The answer is often simpler than the task. Matthew 28:19-20 tells us that the "world" or "all nations" is the goal. So off we go. If you have been around First Assembly of God for very long you understand that being missional is part of our DNA. Literally dozens of trips to lands near and far have taken place already, and should Jesus linger in His return, dozens and dozens more will be planned and accomplished in the years to come. Our recent trip to Granada, Nicaragua this past July was set apart not only as a unique opportunity; but as it turns out, it was also a great accomplishment for the Kingdom. The country of Nicaragua experienced the combined talents of five churches from the San Antonio Section of South Texas. This 22 member team, with tools in hand, and after many hours of swing a paint brush to prep the steel framed structure, they were able to complete the installation of tin roofs on two children's facilities and to prep, mix and pour multiple square yards of concrete. Their efforts in both of these projects easily doubled the space now available for children's ministries to take place. The ministry of working with our hands was only part of our trip. Over the span of a week we were also given opportunity to minister God's Word in six different venues. Several of them were during their regularly scheduled service times to include God's little ones during Sunday mornings Children's church. Each of these times yielded fruit in God's Kingdom. But two of the times of ministry stood out profoundly to the team as a whole. The first was Sunday evening street ministry. They combined the benefits of worship, human videos, a simple evangelistic message, and a call to prayer, to effect over thirty lives surrendered to the Lord and countless hearts that were impacted. The second standout ministry time was given only to the ladies. Fifteen or so ladies were given the opportunity to enter into the local women's prison. Packets of essentials like toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap and the like were passed out to 40 women. But it didn't stop there, relationships were built, prayers were lifted up to heaven, and again, lives were altered forever. One thing that we must never forget in the final equation of any mission's trip is "you." The success of the team that is on the ground is only as good as those who weren't able to participate by going. Finances were given, but even more than that, prayers of support were given in support of this team, and for that we are truly grateful. The body of Christ truly came together and operated as a fine tuned machine. It was said that this was a unique opportunity, but my prayer is that this type mission trip becomes the norm. That is, multiple churches teaming together to accomplish great things for the Kingdom.
Pastor Mike
