Each year brings on its own set of challenges. One year we ventured to San Antonio with our contact person not returning calls and Greg almost canceling the trip. Stepping out on faith (this included the parents staying behind), we voyaged on. God stretched ALL of us that week. I think that was the week we put "being like Gumby" to it's biggest test. After a week of service projects to feed the hungry, they had a greater understanding of just how blessed they were. They returned home talking about the mission trip and never mentioned their trip to the water park they had just left. Last year's group of students became so attached to the children we had to pry them them away with tears in their eyes. It truly was amazing to see their spiritual lives evolve over these past year.
This year was the youngest group we have ever taken on a mission trip. Mostly students made up of 6th graders with two 7th graders. We had our usual sleep deprived drama and goofy antics. Our students were stretched beyond what they thought they were capable and leaders emerge. As ever year before them, they came home changed forever by what they had done and the unsettling urge to return. Mission trips just seem to do that to a person, no matter the age. I look forward to seeing what God does with them this year and the hope of seeing them on mission next year. I am truly blessed to be married to a man who gets the importance of middle schoolers being on mission for our Lord. It's just another step in understanding their purpose on Earth- to bring glory to God.
Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. (1 Timothy 4:12 NIV84)
