A universal mission

Christianity traditionally advocates unity through service, and members of both the Sherwood Church of Christ and a Church of Christ in Mexico, have displayed that such unity extends across borders.

Members of the church in Toluca de Lerdo, Estado de México, México, came to Odessa to help out on many projects aimed at assisting the elder members of the Sherwood congregation.

Those jobs have included painting hallways in Odessa Christian School, painting the Church of Christ on 61st Street and Ector Avenue, visiting the sick and replacing the roof of a storage building.

Sherwood Church of Christ youth minister Lonnie Hammil said the group has progressed since its inception.

"When I started as youth minister nine years ago, there was no work camp," he said. "I felt we needed to teach our kids to work, and I feel they get repaid knowing they're working hard."

Every other year, the Sherwood youth group visits Toluca to offer aid. This year, which is a between year, some Toluca members came for the first time to help in Odessa.

"When they come to help in Toluca, it's really fun," Jareta Seepeda, 13, said. "They help us by bringing clothes to give to people, and they paint, and that helps a lot."

Jareta said his perspective on America has changed upon arrival.

"I used to think America was a perfect country," Jareta said. "But when I came here, I saw that people need help, and we can help them - they need us here because nothing's perfect."

Around 16 years ago, Sherwood Church of Christ's current pulpit minister Barry Galindo served Sherwood as a missionary. He helped start the mission in Toluca and said their mission has grown enough to send their own missionaries throughout Mexico.

"They  tell me they've been so well received here, but we learned it from them - it's a mutually edifying thing," Galindo said. "At one time, they were a mission point and now, they've matured enough to send aid to us. It's a beautiful thing."

Inevitably, friendships occurred during the process, making this visit a welcome reunion.

"It's pretty cool. I know a lot of these people, and I see a lot of familiar faces," Abraham Lara, 16, of Toluca, said.

Zachary Dennis, a Sherwood Church of Christ member, said he agreed.

"I know a lot of the people because we've been down there before. It's cool to get to see them again," he said.

However, through the trips, a couple of relationships have blossomed beyond friendship.

Adam Bentley is engaged to be married this December to the preacher's daughter of the Toluca Church of Christ. As a missionary trained by the Sunset International Bible Institute in Lubbock, Bentley spent seven months in Mexico City and then moved to Toluca where he currently works.

"If you had asked me four or five years ago, I would've pictured myself as a typical American minister," he said. "Now, I have a desire to learn other languages and spend my life in other countries doing mission work."

Bentley said that as happy as he is, the work is difficult.

"There are days when it's hard to get by because I miss my culture," he said. "But my brothers and sisters from the church help me feel welcome. They help me realize I shouldn't miss home because I am home."