As you know, I make pickles every year to help fundraise for my mission trips. I have been doing this for the last 10 years. WOW, I can't believe it has been that long! While I don't make a huge amount of money, I am able to raise enough to help with expenses for my trips. This year, drumroll......I made 235 jars!!! I can't believe my little garden was able to make enough cucumbers for that many jars! I only had 7 plants and was able to get enough for that many jars!
Thank you all for the support you have given me and for those that have had the opportunity to experience my pickles, I hope you are enjoying them because it will be another year before there will be any more!!! They are definitely a seasonal item, kinda like the pumpkin spice lattes!
As I get rested from the the last 6 weeks of cooking pickles, I am preparing my heart and mind for my next trip. I can't believe it is in 2 weeks!!! I will be going to Columbia South Carolina with the Send Relief Tour. The task assigned to me for the weekend will be the job of refreshing a middle school teacher workroom and care closet. I am excited to be helping out this community and giving back to the kids and teachers there. When you don't have the space or resources, it is hard to work and do your job to teach the kids. My prayer is our work there will inspire them and excite them. For them to see the love of God through us.
Last May, I worked with a team at a middle school playground. To see the kids faces and excited of knowing what we were doing, made a huge difference in the work we did. I can still see the face of the kids through the fence asking what we were going to do. When we told them about the playground and basketball courts, they squealed with excitement and happiness. When you give your time and energy to others to help, you will get the reward as well. You know you helped someone, even if it was indirectly.
Our team consist of many different people, from different states, different backgrounds. I am excited to have my daughter join me on this trip. We have done missions together in the past and I love working alongside her. She loves the Lord and is an inspiration to me and to others around her.
I encourage you today, that if you are thinking about missions, you do not have to travel far. Look in your community, your city, your state. There is always someone in need. Who will go, if not you? Pray about it, ask for courage to take that step of faith.
John 20:21 reads, "Again Jesus said to them, 'Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.'"
Blessings to you,
