| I don't know that words can fully describe the feelings we have after all we experienced on our first mission trip. Yes, we had seen pictures and heard stories. But, when you arrive in a foreign land and see the conditions that these people contend with daily, one is overwhelmed with many different feelings. First and foremost, you have to thank God that he has allowed us to be born in America and have the freedoms and simple pleasures that few in other countries will ever experience. Next, you wonder how these people can smile and be so giving when they are living in such poverty and have very little hope for a better future. I went on this trip to help others, but they helped me. They opened my heart to see what is most important in life has nothing to do with little things like water and a toilet that flushes, but love for each other; a love that transcends the language barrier and that can only come from a relationship with Jesus Christ.
--Ronnie and Rhonda N.
I have a greater awareness of the needs of fellow believers around the world. I have a personal understanding of the command to make disciples in a way I previously believed but did not fully understand.My heart is changed and burdened for those who had a empty look on their face when I mentioned the name of Jesus Christ I am blessed with a God given love for the fellow servants from Brook Hills with whom I travelled and served. My prayers have changed in that my vision is for not only the Honduran family that I met but also for the world-wide family of faith that I will never meet this side of heaven. My burden for the persecuted church is heightened and a part of my prayer time daily. I pray for God to increase and that I decrease as I go in His name. I pray for the seeds ghat were sown to bear much fruit to His glory.
--Janet T.
Our Savior was glorified and His seeds have been planted as we followed His plans--not ours--in disciple-making. it seems like cancelled charter flights, delays and misplaced luggage would be discouraging. But we realized early on that we were on "God's time" not our own. It only brought us all closer together as we shared one focus--sharing the love of God with othes. And we did! We became One Force in the name of the Holy One and He fueled every step we took!
It is more obvious every day that our work is not done. I have become more outspoken regarding God's love for us, His sacrified and our responsibility to increase His kingdom on this earth. My prayer is that we "stay outside our comfort zone" and make His plan our only plan. You know, in the final analysis, we have nothing to lose and eternity to gain following His Plan. Sign me up!
--Kathy D.
I want to go again. I totally understand what David meant when he quoted Oswald Smith--"The light that shines the fartherest shines the brightest at home". I have a renewed spirit. I have a new burden for a co-worker. I have always had a problem just sharing Christ--now I understand how to show Christ - discipleship has taken on a whole new meaning. I have found that I am can break into a conversation about God easier than before becuase people want to know about this trip.
Internally, I think it has made me more aware of the need for Christ. This effects your core. This changes your reality. We have a shielded view of the world and this will destroy that view. People have told me that their government could fix it. My reply has been that they could fix a lot of it but that God has called us to go and if we wait on their government not only are we disobeying God we are no better than their government.
--Jason W.
Just added! I have big dreams now. I am tradinig mine for His. I need a plan and a strategy--I have been working on this since day four of the fieldwork. We as Americans take so much for granted and we demand and feel entitled to so much when we ought to see these things as blessings and not rights.
--Kim T.
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My eyes have been opened to the needs of the rest of the world. It really struck me that some of the shocking spiritual, physical, etc. conditions we saw in Honduras are not only present there, but around the world. I have been praying for Honduras and the people there. I have also been praying for the rest of the world and for guidance as to how I can make an impact in other areas of the world. And I've been praying for more boldness. I've had great opportunities to talk about my trip and what I experienced. The experience also made me realize that sharing the the gospel is the most important thing we can do to help people.
--Holly G.
I can definately pray more specifically because I can see each community we visited and I can pray for the Christian brothers and sisters I met while there. They were amazing! They served us which helped us serve others. If I can do it, so can you. I was fearful of flying and going to a country with a government that is at odds with our government. Through my prayers and he prayers of others, I was able to know God's peace. Our team and the team of people in Venezuela, were very watchful and
protective. Through God's power, I never felt a minute of unrest or fear.
--Cathy J.
I am so aware of how materialistic I am! I had hoped before going that my granddaughter,who went with me, would realize how materialistic she is. God had another plan and that was to open my eyes to how I just had to have all the things that my friends did--to be just as stylish. I need to give more and spend less. I have been praying through the Operation World book and have turned to Venezuela and prayed more often for them. I now have faces to put with my prayers--the nationals we worked with as well as the people in the neighborhoods.
--Lila S.
This trip was very nice from the fact of taking my three children (ages 11, 8, 6) with my wife and me. Great introduction for them to what needs to be done in the world for Christ and an eyeopener of what we are blessed to have. Spurred the hearts of my 11 and 8 year olds for return trips and missions elsewhere. We pray daily as a family that God will both instill in us not to forget people globally that are in need of Him and challenge ourselves to be more proactive in that, and thank Him for the learning experience that we got while there.
--Dennis S.
It has expanded my prayer life to be more concerned about remembering those who work daily in more difficult and challenging circumstances to share Christ. The experience has created an open door to share my faith with others here in Birmingham.
The most unforgettable thing I discovered was how great the need is to be touched (both physically and spiritually) and how few that are that have that need met. I saw small congegations that were spreading into new small villages as quickly as individuals could be prepared to lead in another place. I saw small town believers doing true disciple-making.
--Harold J.
Going on these trips has shown me that it is not about me it is about letting Christ live thru me. In doing this there is no time for fear or shyness because it is not me... it's Christ. I can't fix the world's problems but I can let Christ work thru me to accomplish His will when I follow him daily.
--Deb B.
Just added! In Venezuela we played Upward basketball and did carnivals, VBS and constructions. It was very fun. I was sad seeing the homes and the dump that people lived by. It was hard to make friends because they spoke a different laguage but we made some friends. It was easy to play their main sport, which was soccer, and they call it football.
--John B. (Child)
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How To Be a Part of the Story...