Finding The Face Of God in Those We Serve: A Look Back at Summer Mission Trips

continued from October Ministry Link:

Parents of the mission trip attendees agree.  Alana Miller, Megan and Caitlyn’s mother, believes her daughters’ experience in Atlanta was an important step in their faith journey.  “Being able to give of themselves not only helped those in need, but helped them grow in their faith as well,” she said, adding that the experience also allowed the girls to grow closer to their youth group and to get to know other youth groups from across the country. “The work they did was sometimes hot and tiresome and not always fun, but in the end, they came home with memories that will be with them throughout their lives.”
Accommodations were Spartan.  The participants, Doug Bryant, Megan Miller, Jonny Morris, Maddie Newkirk, Logan Phelps, Matt Atkins, Jacob Bales, Lauren Baylor, Caitlyn Miller, and Megan Phelps lived in a homeless shelter environment.  Their mattresses were on the floor, side-by-side, their belongings piled up all around them.  They used communal showers.  “The kids rose to the occasion, as they always do,” said Nancy proudly.  “Getting a feel for how other people live helped them to see how blessed they are.”
But perhaps what was most illuminating for the youth was realizing that the people they were serving were just like them, with the same needs and desires.  They took the time to break down the barriers of mental illness and strip away the differences between themselves and those who are disadvantaged.  “They realized you shouldn’t stereotype people just because they have certain disorders or issues,” Nancy added.  “In the end we’re all the same.”
The Baja Peninsula:
More mission miracles took place one month later during a Shenandoah Presbytery trip to Baja, California.  Participants Marcus and Doug Sensabaugh; Randy, Laura, Rachel and Matt Atkins; and Laura, Rebecca, Phillip and Mary Beth Holbrook traveled there in July to build houses for Mexican agriculture workers who had been recruited to the area.  Having been promised homes which never materialize, they are forced to live in depressing “camps” or cardboard boxes.  YWAM (Youth with a Mission) works in conjunction with the Baja and Shenandoah Presbyteries and a group of local missionaries to create livable structures and purchase simple furnishings for these workers and their families.
The construction projects also succeed in building life-altering relationships between the Mexican families and the missionaries, who often work side by side until the homes are completed.  “What’s nice about having these relationships is that you can go back and see people you’ve built homes for and find that their kids are going to school and the whole family is thriving now.” said Nancy. “It’s very affirming.”  
Rebecca Holbrook shares that sentiment.  She helped to build a house for Lorentino and his family.  Lorentino suffers from diabetes and walks with the aid of crutches.  During the project, Bekah had the opportunity to learn about the family’s emotional, physical and financial hardships. “Using our hands to build their house, we changed a significant variable in their lives and may have shown them another view of Christianity – of humanity,” said Bekah.  The Baja trip reminded her that being the body of Christ in the world is not easy.  “By day four when we dedicated the house to Lorentino and his family we were tired, sore, and covered in dirt. But isn’t getting our hands dirty part of what we are called to do in this world?”
These are the valuable realizations that so often emerge from mission work.  And while all mission projects can be faith-building, Nancy believes there is a lot of value in going away because of the trust-building and sense of community that develop among the participants.   “Our church is really wonderful in its support for missions,” she said.  “I think there is an understanding that these trips are not just about helping other people; they are transforming our lives as well.  It’s often on these trips where people begin to hear God’s call.”
-Leigh-Anne Lees