Jeff & Lacey Gloystein take time for a selfie with their three boys, Lamar, Nevada, and Hudson, while in the mountains of Mexico on a family mission trip – courtesy photo
Your typical family summer vacation is usually something like a trip to the mountains, the beach, or somewhere to enjoy fun activities for your family. Jeff and Lacey Gloystein had another idea for their annual family vacation—a mission trip to southern Mexico.
They recently took their three boys, Nevada, 17, Hudson, 16, and Lamar, 13, to Oaxaca, Mexico, from May 24-31st, where Grace Mission in Henderson has a ministry.
Jeff and Lacey have both been on mission trips before, but the idea of taking their family came after a missionary conference at Faith Evangelical Bible Church, where they are members in Henderson.
“I always thought that taking our family on a missionary trip would be something. I thought it would be Haiti since I’ve been there a couple of times with Grace Mission, but it’s been pretty rough down there with violence, and it’s not opened up for missionaries yet,” said Jeff.
During the missionary conference, they listened to David and Karina Lopez, who work for Grace Mission in Oaxaca, Mexico, pastoring a church.
“We ended up sitting down with them, and they suggested we make a trip down to see them. After talking with Lacey and realizing we probably only had a year left with Nevada at home, and we know how fast life goes, so you know what? Let’s just do this!”
With the help of Keith Singer, the Grace Mission director in Henderson, the plans for their family mission trip were set in motion.
Since they arrived at the church in Oaxaca later in the day on Sunday, May 24, they moved their church service from morning to evening so the Gloysteins could worship with them.
“It was so cool to worship with them, experiencing a different language and culture, but all worshipping the same God,” said Jeff.
Part of their trip included traveling and helping with David and Karina’s ministries in the surrounding villages. They visited a village on the coast and one in the mountains where David grew up. In the villages, the boys handed out volleyballs and soccer balls to the kids, while the women led small groups.
“We played soccer on the beach with some of the kids and just washed off in the ocean. Afterward that night, they made us fish tacos, and we tried a hibiscus plant drink. We were able to travel to where David and Karina plan on building a house and cabins for abused women. We could see that there is a lot of work to be done,” said Lamar.
They witnessed multi-generational families all living under one roof and didn’t see many men around. “The men were either working or drinking since many of them are alcoholics. These areas suffer from a large amount of physical and sexual abuse and alcoholism,” said Lacey. Karina’s ministry includes helping women who suffer from trauma heal.
They were impressed by the attention the village women showed their family, with one woman crocheting a flower for Lacey and serving them food for their evening meal, Lacey said.
“While in the villages, David and Karina buy as much from them as food, nuts, cheeses, and things they make like tablecloths,” said Lacey. She said the Loepez’s ministry in the coastal village focuses on building relationships because there isn’t a church established there.
They found out that saying goodbye takes a long time in the village! “It took us three hours to leave. We would get in the car and get back out to say goodbye several times,” said Lacey.
Lacey learned the importance of giving her time after their experience in the villages. “You know, sometimes you think a mission trip is physical work, but ministering to people’s hearts is actually the most important thing.” She witnessed several children trust Jesus during their time in the villages.
With the help of a translator, Lacey shared her personal testimony about how she came to know Christ. While there, they helped hand out Christian tracts, shared crafts with the kids, and organized basketball games.
Jeff and Lacey encourage anyone who is interested to consider going to Oaxaca and see for themselves what’s going on and how they can help.
“There are a lot of opportunities in the mission field to see different countries, get out of your comfort zone, and just see how God is working,” said Jeff.
It sure wasn’t a Disney World vacation, but it’s one the Gloysteins will never forget with lasting memories and an eye-opener for three teenagers.
