By Steve Shaffer
My wife, Carol, went on a MOST (Mission Opportunities Short Term) team to Haiti in 1992. I didn’t go because I felt the money spent on airfare and other expenses should go to help the nationals directly.
After her return, her enthusiasm made me rethink. After prayerful thought, I felt God calling me to the June 1992 construction team to Haiti. I was so blessed by the experience that I considered going on another trip.
After, prayerful thought, I felt God calling me to the June 1992 construction team to Haiti.
In 1993, I felt called to go on an eyeglass team to Latvia. While on this team, I befriended Olegs, one of our interpreters. We developed a strong relationship and I have continued keeping in touch with him. He is now married with four children and living in England. I was honored when they named their first child after me!
MOST returned to Latvia in 1994 with another eyeglass team. All went well until Gayle’s husband took ill. I stepped in to help run the operations of the clinic.
Eventually, Gayle gave me full control over the operation decisions so she could focus her energy toward her husband. This was a big step for me as a leader as I took over the team. Don recovered and all of us returned home safe and well.
I stepped in to help run the operations of the clinic.
One afternoon, I stopped by Don and Gayle’s house for a visit. Before I left, Gayle asked me if I would be interested in becoming a MOST team leader. I was surprised by her request. She asked me to pray and think about the opportunity before of me.
Gayle asked me if I would be interested in becoming a MOST Team Leader. I was surprised by her request.
After taking quite some time to consider the option of being a team leader and the responsibility it would entail, I told Gayle I would be interested. I trained with Gayle on my next mission trip to Guatemala. The following year, Eileen and I co-led a team to Guatemala.
I was once asked at church how many mission trips I had been on. As I counted them I was amazed to realize I have been on 39 trips, 30 of them as a team leader. Carol and I have been blessed to be on 12 teams together.
As I counted them I was amazed to realize I have been on 39 trips.
These mission trips allowed me to see God’s people and His creation around the world! I have tasted a little bit of heaven where someday all His people of all different nations will gather together to praise Him forever and ever!
On these mission trips we get to be the hands and feet of Jesus. We are able to serve the people in other parts of the world, sharing Jesus’ love for them and serving the crucial needs they have.
I have tasted a little bit of heaven where someday all His people of all different nations will gather together to praise Him forever and ever!
On these mission trips we pray for the people of God. We are there with an encouraging smile and warm embrace. We do all of this with the love of Jesus in our hearts for the lost of the world.
At the end of Matthew God commands us to go into the world to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to all. MOST ministries gives is that opportunity. With MOST we not only get to serve people of all nations, we are able to build relationships as MOST goes back to the same area often.
There are many new and exciting trips coming up in 2014. Are you willing to go? Pray about the opportunities to serve both here in our community and abroad. Then follow God’s leading.
MOST is celebrating 25 years in ministry on April 12 with a celebratory service at St. Luke at 2 P.M. There will be a dessert reception following. Please RSVP to Lynn Wrightson at 734.994.7909 ex. 14 or lwrightson@mostministries.org by April 1.
