There is no way to prepare for everything that will happen during a summer spent traveling on the IBCS ministry team. While training, we thought we had some idea of how God was going to work. But God had different plans, and He knew that the best way for us to grow was through a very unexpected summer. Even though it was hard, it was exactly what we needed.
I’ve asked each ministry team member about some of the lessons God taught them this summer.
What was the best part of travelling?
Everyone on the team mentioned that meeting people serving faithfully throughout the West was the highlight of traveling. Team leader, Mr. Hector Carrasco specifically noted, “Seeing God’s work in rural places and small towns in the West, where Christ is being preached in towns with a high percentage of Mormons.”
Nadia Obeso recalled how she learned so much from being around these steadfast people. “I loved meeting people who faithfully serve the Lord, even when they are unknown to others or do not even hold the title of pastor or pastor’s wife. God used various women and pastors to show me what ministry is truly about.”
What was the most difficult part of traveling?
Hector and Dania Carrasco, the team leaders, found out right before the team left that they were expecting their first child! Mr. Hector told us, “My wife and I were in the first trimester of pregnancy, which meant long days and nights and difficulties finding food she could eat. However, God was faithful in providing and protecting all the time.”
Another difficulty for the team was just the exhaustion of travel while performing our music program.
“Performing the same program over and over again was often difficult for me,” Levi Mestler confessed.
Juan Rodriguez admits, “It was exhausting. We rarely had the opportunity to fully relax. Answering the same get-to-know-you questions for the 20th time, or resting in a different bed almost every day are just a few examples of how tiring ministry team could be.”
What is your favorite memory of the trip?
While the trip was exhausting, there were many memories and blessings throughout the summer, including a very special time in Salina, Utah. Nadia recounts getting to know Flora and speaking with her in Spanish: “Being able to speak with Flora in her native language filled me with great joy. Sometimes I forget how special it is to hear God's truth in my own language. I am very grateful that, despite all my mistakes and shortcomings, God chose to use me in Flora's life.”
Ruth says, “One especially meaningful moment came when the members of our team were able to help connect the Murphrees (Pastor Matt Murphree) with their Spanish-speaking neighbors. It was a reminder that God can use even simple conversations to accomplish His purposes and draw people together.”
Give one area that surprised you, something that you were not expecting God to teach you.
The Carrascos were grateful to learn so much about parenting as they look forward to being parents. Mr. Hector said, “I did not expect to receive parenting advice: God led me to ask parents what advice they had for me, a new dad, and it was great to receive wisdom from other Christian parents.” Mrs. Dania was grateful to see so many Godly families: “It was great to be in different Christian homes which gave my husband and me a better idea of how we would like our home to be, look, and feel now that we are expecting.”
God opened Levi’s eyes to a kind of ministry that he had not seen before. “I got a burden for the Mormon community after spending a lot of time in Utah.”
The program of prayer had a big effect on Juan’s life: “The theme of the program was prayer, but I did not think that it would affect me so much to reflect on prayer at every service. God challenged me to improve my prayer life throughout the whole trip.”
Nadia said, “The summer only brought to light what had been in my heart for a whole year or more. God, in His compassion, has allowed me to see how misguided my heart was. I am grateful that He is not finished with me or the work He has begun in my heart.”
Ruth shared a lesson she learned: “One area where God surprised me was in teaching me humility and dependence on Him. God showed me how pride can damage relationships and hinder ministry, while humility allows Him to work in and through us.”
As for me, I had so many expectations for how the summer would go and what God would do. But God showed me
that His plan is always better, and that I need to surrender my expectations to Him. I expected that we would just be performing in various churches, but the highlight of my trip was being able to minister alongside other local church musicians during a small music group lesson in Colorado with multi-generational musicians. It wasn’t a professional, formal performance, but God used that small, intimate moment to show me that Ministry Team really is about ministry.
It was a blessing to all of us to see the amazing ways that God worked and led through the summer. In hardships and tiredness, He is always good, and His plan is always best.