“As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10). In 2022, Fran* was hesitant to attend a mission trip during her spring break. I think we can all relate, but especially as an academy teacher breaks are a much valued down time.

And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. Isaiah 65:24. Undoubtedly, you heard about the flight chaos that took place between Christmas and new year. It was in the middle of this disarray that on December 25th our BRI team took flight from different parts of the country headed to Phoenix for the GYC pre-conference mission trip.

The call from Janna Wright came to Build and Restore founder Ostap with a request for him to conduct a week of prayer at the Invitation Hill Academy. With the winter months fast approaching on the horizon, it was decided that the mission would take place during the second week of October. The North Dakota region where Invitation Hill Academy is located experiences a frigid winter chill and thus it was expedient to conduct the mission prior to the temperatures plummeting.

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.

When then serving GYC Evangelism Coordinator, Tara Vang contacted Build and Restore International to conduct a pre-Conference mission trip. We immediately saw this as an opportunity the Lord was granting and accepted the invitation. Initially we anticipated 15 volunteers. The Lord had a greater vision and blessed exceedingly, abundantly with more than we had asked or imagined when He moved upon 56 missionary spirited hearts to sign up..

The Lord opened doors for Build and Restore International to travel to picturesque Mexicali nestled in the beautiful country of Mexico in November 2019. Local Pastor Gabriel Velasquez sought after Build and Restore International to come and fulfill a ministry need at his local church. The mission would entail remodeling the church as well as conducting community centered evangelistic seminars and a health expo…

“Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Savior mingled with the people as one who desired their good. He showed sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He invited them, “Follow Me.”…

The South San Francisco SDA Church family worships in a historic building of massive architectural grandeur. Built in 1930, the Church notably survived the November 27, 1946 earthquake that shook San Francisco and laid other buildings to rubble and waste. While the Church has remained unmoved even by unprecedented shakings, the building was showing evidence of trials endured with cracks and large paint chipping in several places.

“In the highest sense of the work of education and the work of redemption are one, for in education, as in redemption, ‘other foundation can no man lay than is laid, which is Jesus Christ.’ (1 Corinthians 3:11).” Ellen G. White, Education, page 30.