If you speak, you should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If you serve, you should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:11 (NIV)
On our mission trip, we talked several times about everyone having different talents. It is a fact that God gave each of us different abilities. On our trip, some were able to do things better than others. Some people could lay tile, some could dig, some could clean stuff up, some could paint and some were really good helpers in anything they did. Some people have the talent of saying what is on their heart and mind, but some don’t. We had a time in our devotion on Thursday night to say what the trip meant to us. Some shared. Some didn’t. Everyone got something out of the trip and it is important. This mission trip may have touched someone who didn’t go with us. Your service or words may inspire and encourage. It may be someone you know well, someone that you just met or maybe even someone you will never even know about. The little things do count! Whatever you did, it was in order to serve and it was very important.
I would like for this post to give EVERYONE the opportunity to speak out on what the mission trip to Lakeshore, Mississippi meant to them. There is no word limit! There are no right or wrong answers. If you did speak during devotion, please put it on here for all to see. Say what is on your heart and don’t forget, God has a sense of humor too!
For those of you who don’t know how to leave a response, just click the title of post in red or the word COMMENT at the bottom of the post you are responding to. A new page will come up. Go to the bottom of the page. Fill in your name and email address. Type your response in the box and push send comment.
Okay, since I was the “SR” member of the group, I’ll go first.
This trip was GREAT! I was assigned on different jobs and I really enjoyed every group. I know this is probably crazy but I really liked clearing the land. You could see evidence of your work!
The last night of the trip was especially good as all shared of their experience of the week. It is so encouraging and uplifting to see how God works in every life. God continues to use people to help each of us grow spiritually as we serve Him.
We serve an awesome GOD!
Rebekah
P.S. I guess I have to forgive “my friends” who LIED to me at the water park. LOVE you all.
By: Rebekah on July 1, 2008
at 2:57 pm
Well, I don’t know if I’m the next “SR” member or not. I felt like I was and still feel it in that I can’t seem to recover any energy.
It’s been two years since I had been on any type of trip or event with the youth. It was great to see them work and grow throughout the week. The first day I had to swap Amber and Haley to digging instead of painting and I was shocked that they were so excited about digging!
I shared with the girls that I didn’t feel like I brought any great talent to the trip. I’m not a “builder”, not a great “painter” though I did try, know nothing about “flooring” or “blogging” though I am learning; I maybe could have made a sandwich but the day I had lunch duty, the girls working with me had them all made before I got back from an errand. I hope I was helpful in some way. I really enjoyed working with the groups and rooming with my roomies. I picked up all kinds of great “fashion and beauty” tips.
Altogether, I would say that it was a wonderful week of learning that God works in many ways. We just have to be ready and willing to listen and help where he needs us.
Though I was not brave enough to ride the rides at the park, I did learn that a Chinese restaurant could be good and a lot of fun!
Love you all,
Dottie
By: Dottie on July 1, 2008
at 3:13 pm
This is so great. I’ve loved keeping up with y’all’s (I know that’s not a word, but I also know it works in Saline) trip here on this blog (thanks Patti). I can’t wait to hear all the comments on this post. Sounds like such a great trip. When are y’all coming here?
That’s a cute little winky face, but I’m serious.
By: Michawn on July 1, 2008
at 7:42 pm
So Mrs. Dottie does that mean more trips to Panda with the youth?
By: Gillian Hough on July 2, 2008
at 9:18 am
The mission trip was unbelievable! I have gone with the youth on several occasions to different events like the water park, youth revivals and YEC. Although in this case, I was a little leary about taking them off to work. Because let’s face it, they are teenagers! But that wasn’t the case. They made me so proud of each and every one of them. They worked non stop without complaining. There was no arguments, even in the close quarters that the girls slept in. That is amazing in itself. I believe that everyone forgot about THEMSELVES for a while. No TV or Myspace. Their focus was on doing God’s work. What could be better than that?
I worked on several different jobs while we were there, but my primary job was taking pictures and keeping the blog up-to-date. I was on the lunch crew, the digging crew, the painting crew, and the errand crew. My most important job, I believe, was taking pictures. It was a way to preserve and share our trip for all to see. Gillian’s blog was the inspiration for this one. Although she wasn’t able to be with us, she still had an impact on our trip. With the blog, Gillian, parents, our church family, and anyone else who knows us and even those who don’t, can see what God is doing in these lives. Thank you Gillian! Also, thanks to everyone who checked our blog and to all who left us heartfelt comments!
The most important thing that I brought home from trip is the reminder that we all have a place in which we should be working. Whatever our gift is, we should be using it to glorify God at home, as well as away.
The waterpark on the way home was a blast. I will never forget Rebekah’s face on the VooDoo! It was priceless!
It was a great week and I am always so proud to be a part of this group. We never have any problems with the youth. Brother Stan may get a little stressed but if he didn’t it wouldn’t be him.
Love,
Mrs. Patti
PS My goal is to get Dottie on some of those rides next time! I would never trick someone into getting on a ride!
Ask Rebekah!
By: Patti Warren on July 2, 2008
at 10:24 am
aww Thanks Mrs. Patti! Oh everyone im working on the orphanage blog post as I type this. Waiting for some pictures to load. This is only my first 5 pictures, I have many many many more to go. So check my blog this evening for the orphanage post. Love yall and miss yall bunches.
By: Gillian Hough on July 2, 2008
at 12:31 pm
oh I forgot to say “Your welcome” in that last post.
By: Gillian Hough on July 2, 2008
at 1:00 pm
I know that this is suppose to be for the ones that went on the mission trip but I just wanted to let all of you know that I am so very proud of all of you. It doesn’t matter where you go I always hear good things about our youth.
While you were in Mississippi doing God’s work most of Saline was praying for you. Even though I didn’t get to be with you in person I was there in spirit. I prayed for you daily and kept up with what you were doing by looking at the pictures and comments that were made and posted daily.
Just because you are back home don’t let the glow fade. Keep working for God and doing things here in our communities that will GLORIFY HIM!!
Love all of you,
Mrs. Susan
By: Susan on July 2, 2008
at 11:18 pm
I admit, I was one of the adults that didn’t speak Sunday nite.
N-e-ways the mission trip was so so much fun, I
didn’t think I would get to do anything because I figured my feet would swell up but they didn’t I don’t think, if they did I didn’t notice. The first 2 days I got to help paint a trailer with Claire, Brianna, McKenna, Mrs. Kayla, Mrs. Dottie and ??? for a single mom who has a 4 yr old daughter named Maci and a 2 week old baby boy at the time. That was fun!!!!
Although on Wednesday I got switched to another job (CLEARING CREW)… The first day the crew consisted of THE MNT GIRLS–(Mutan)Melania, (Ninja)Nickey, (Turtle)Taylor. Then there was Tucker, Jody, Herm, Dylan and Ken. On the second day some more came out to help up, so that we could get finish.
N-E-Way, I actually had no idea, I don’t think anybody did that clearing a lot off could be alot of fun, when we actually didn’t know if we would find wasp net, which we did or snakes which we did also, but it was a good things they got burned in the fire, cause if not while the others were lookin for me I would have been back at the camp site waiting on them to get back and wondering what took em so long. LOL..
I know if I get the chance to do that again, I WILL, no doubt about it. I love going on trips with the youth and the other adults. You guys were a whold lot of fun. I enjoyed working with everybody especially Mutan and Turtle.
As for Bro. Stan, what would we do with out him??
None of these trips would even be possibe, not saying anyone else couldn’t do it. He gets stressed and fustrated all the time (lol) who wouldnt with us. I just think he’s an awesome person to take all the time he does to contribute to us. THANK YOU SO SO MUCH…
God Bless Everyone,
Nickey
By: nIcKeY on July 9, 2008
at 9:14 pm