I'm back from my mission trip!

 

I am back! If you ever have gone on a mission trip, you know the excitement of preparing to go and the anticipation of the day you will arrive. But there is also the excitement of when you return, just wanting to tell everyone of your experience. Going on mission is about leading others to Christ and being that person, the door, the one that introduces others to Jesus. It may be their first introduction, and it is just as important as any other interaction. You may not say a lot, but trust me, they are watching you. Watching to see how you act, speak, work. 

Our mission was Friday and Saturday, all day, but I planned my trip so I would get there early on Thursday and leave late on Sunday. This way I could experience the community that I was going to serve. Just to recap, I went to Columbia, SC to serve the River District area. My project was at the Northside Middle school and we were tasked with the teachers workroom and the care closet. It was a job. And with any mission trip, you have TO BE FLEXIBLE! So, we found out Friday morning, that we were going to also work on the playground too. Lots of jobs for our small group, but we took the challenge and did any amazing job!

We re-worked the teachers room, with a new table, took down the boards on the wall and painted and hung pictures, and cleaned out the kitchen area, organized it and even was able to give them some new appliances. We couldn't get to all the playground because it rained! But we were able to get the gaga pit built, new soccer goals made and hung the basket ball nets. 

We did such an amazing job, that we got 80% of it completed Friday. Only God was working with us to get this done, because you know God has a plan. Again, we had to be flexible, because one of the teams needed help getting their project completed and since we were almost done, we volunteered to go with them Saturday to get it done. That job was HUGE and was at the Transitions shelter for the unhoused. We did a lot of painting!! A LOT. But we wanted to make this area a nice, beautiful area for the residents. It was great to talk with some of the residents there and even a few helped with painting and giving us pointers.

I am so glad that I had this opportunity to go and serve with so many other people from around the states. Over all we had about 1,000 volunteers, that were represented by 14 states, 80 churches for 49 projects. I am not sure when my next trip will be, but I can tell you, there will be another one, and another one...... Check out the pictures below. If you are interested in missions, this is a great way to get started. Go to the Send Relief link on my page. 

The care closet before and after

     

The teachers workroom:

   

                                                                    

Shelter painting: 

      

Romans 10:13-15 NIV; for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

Blessings to all, 

Pickle season is over!

 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,