What did you do this past Christmas holiday season? Did you do any of the following: foreign “mission service,” build churches, work in dental clinics, conduct health expos, lead Vacation Bible Schools, or present public crusades? Wished you could have? You still can!

Rich Sutton of Mesick, Michigan, has coordinated Mexico Missions church building projects during Christmas break for 16 of the last 18 years and is responsible for over 20 different churches being built.

Rich noticed youth leaving the church, so he decided to take youth to a foreign country for a church building project. After the first mission trip, Rich didn’t go again until a couple years later when his daughter Amy strongly encouraged him to do so. He has been going ever since. Rich’s passion is to build an Adventist church in every community he enters in Mexico.

What was the last mission trip like? On Saturday evening, December 17, 2005, the Mexico Missions caravan pulled out of Mesick, Michigan, and began its trip south, picking up team members in other locations along the way. After three and a half travel days, the team arrived in Entabladero, Veracruz, Mexico, and set up camp at 3:00 a.m.

Sutton's original goal to build churches continues. Two beautiful churches were completed with combined costs of approximately $15,000. Why so cheap? Block walls, steel roofs, plus volunteer labor are the reason.

The local pastor’s wife estimated approximately 50 children would show up for Vacation Bible School. But when American children took small stuffed animals, gifts, and written invitations door to door, 115 kids showed up!

Approximately 125 people attended a public crusade nightly, preceded by health talks. The meetings were held in the public square and were loud enough the police across the street listened in. The town drunk came to the meetings, said he wanted to give up drinking, and asked for prayers. Eighteen others wanted to be baptized by immersion.

Tom Onjuka, a pastor and dentist, pulled teeth and did fillings while Tina Sutton, a dental hygienist, cleaned teeth. A Health Expo was added this year. Approximately 130 people came through the nine stations; 40 were scheduled for in-home Bible studies.

After all these contacts were made, the “walls” of separation tumbled down and some 40 Mexicans came to the Adventist church for the very first time.

All types of people go on the mission trips. There are mechanics, block layers, welders, cement “mixers,” cooks, pastors, dental and other health professionals, Vacation Bible School programmers, translators, and youth.

So, what are your youth or you doing this coming Christmas? Plans are already underway for the Mexico Missions trip next December. Is God calling you to go do something for Him? Visit www.mexico-missions.org to learn more.

If you are interested in going on the next mission trip to Mexico or making a charitable contribution to help in the work which has expanded to include a mission school building in Bolivia, contact Rich Sutton at richpamsutton@yahoo.com; or call (231) 824-6001. All contributions toward these projects are tax-deductible through the Mesick Church.

Robert Benson is the Holly (Michigan) Church pastor.