A Taos man has found his civil engineer degree and construction experience were preparation for his work in the mission field.
Growing up with his four siblings in Taos and attending St. Francis Xavier Catholic School, Mark Verslues admired those who helped people in foreign countries. But when the path was laid before him, he doubted he was good enough for the task.
Yet, his faith and support from his Assembly of God leadership allowed him to step forward - sending him to Zimbabwe, France and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
This spring, Verslues has taken a sabbatical from the mission field to take care of paperwork for his French fiancée, Lydie Adele, and settle into married life.
Verslues graduated from Blair Oaks High School, then the University of Missouri in 2004. He began working his way up the corporate ladder with J.E. Dunn Construction Company. His last job for them was as superintendent on the Christopher Bond Federal Courthouse. Before that, he helped build condominiums, a hospital and a border control station in New Mexico, Arizona and Nevada.
"They were a great company; it was everything that I ever wanted," Verslues said.
Except, this avid extreme sports enthusiast found he still felt unsatisfied.
"I had lived life the way I wanted - dirt bikes and snowboarding," he said. "Then I gave my life to the Lord Jesus Christ.
"You could say what happens in (Las) Vegas doesn't stay in (Las) Vegas."
His Catholic upbringing had taught him valuable life lessons, but he said he wanted to know more, Verslues said.
"I always believed in God, but I never really let him be lord of my life," he said.
At age 24, he made that choice. Three months later a missionary to the Democratic Republic of Congo spoke at his church.
"It's strange to think someone could hear the voice of the lord, but it was clear to me God wanted me to bring the word to Africa," Verslues said.
After a brief mission trip to Nicaragua, "I began to see the needs of others and want to do something about that," he said.
Verslues continued working in construction while also completing his theological studies.
In December 2010, he left his career field and headed to Zimbabwe, where he put his construction skills to work building churches and Bible schools for nine months. Then he learned French for a year in France, where he met Adele. Finally, he spent the next year in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
"I fell in love with the people; it's always the people you remember most," he said.
While Verslues is home, he needs to raise financial support to return to the Democratic Republic of Congo mission field. Assemblies of God missionaries are responsible for their own budget.
Many churches, including the local First Assembly of God, and individuals in Missouri already have supported his work. But returning with his future wife means his budget has doubled.
"It's humbling, in a positive way - to do what God wants me to do I must rely on other people to support me with their own income," he said.
Verslues said he is not concerned about taking his family back to the economically struggling, war-torn country next year.
"I never felt like I was in danger in Africa," he said. "I have seen situations I knew it was important to stay away from.
"I believe this is what God would have us to do. How can you say "no' to that?"
The Democratic Republic of Congo has had a history of conflict dating back to Belgian colonization, he said. In the last 20 years, nearly 7 million citizens have been killed in civil war.
The country has little infrastructure. Transportation, fresh water and electricity are luxuries.
"They have figured out ways to live by helping each other," he said. "I've been learning a lot about my own life; they've been teaching me more than I could teach them.
"It's a great partnership to build the kingdom of God."
Email [email protected] or visit markverslues.wordpress.com online for more information.