This week, I asked participants to share their stories with me and if they wanted, I would publish them here. So! Are two. And they are SO good to tell.
“On this mission trip we have been working with families and locals who don’t have much but need to be shown God’s light.
The past few days have been a journey seeing the way others live. Playing on the smelly trashed block is normal for these kids. Most don’t even think they live in Philly. They will tell you “I live on Fletcher Street” because that’s all they know.
Last night we had free time to explore Center City. I came across this beautiful little girl that was playing in the love fountain. You could tell that material things were not their strong suit but this water fountain was everything.
The smile from her face could not be wiped away. This is what ministry is about. Loving each other and sharing the world.” -Michele Herbert
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“I had the honor of being an answer to prayer.
A young woman was blessed by our mission group’s presence at her workplace, a thrift shop that is strongly patronized by the local community. We went to work on a project that involved cleaning and organizing merchandise, but God had a specific person in mind that he wanted to reach out to.
I would end up going back to that thrift shop to look for a kid’s Bible.
I never found the kid’s Bible, but during my search I came across a beautiful hard cover book filled with beautiful nature scenes and scriptures about God’s love. I bought that book to give away to someone.
One of the cashiers heard that I was looking for a kid’s Bible and commented that she could never teach her kids about the Bible because she doesn’t know any scriptures. I responded to her and there my ears and eyes were opened to see that this was a divine moment. I learned about a woman who walks in shame and condemnation, despair and hopelessness.
Weeping she asked, “Why do I have six children and how do I care for them?”
She talked about her choices in life and the trials she is facing and has since her childhood days. I encouraged her through God’s word, telling her about His promises, and who God says she is to him.
After praying for her, I pulled out the book that I just bought saying to her that I believe this book is meant for you to have. I personalized it by writing a blessing in it for her. My new friend could not believe that God had sent her an answer to her prayers, and when she learned that I was not a local, but from another state, she wept even more.
“God sent you for me”- tears of praise and thankfulness came from this woman who was just moments ago expressed her inabilities, and now God was showing her just how valued she is in his eyes. I promised to return the next day to give her a book that I happened to carry with me on this mission trip to Philadelphia. The title of the book is The Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian, a book filled of scriptures and model prayers for parents to pray for their children.
This divine meeting gave her a new perspective on her worth through the eyes of God because he heard her crying out to Him just the night before. And to that she responded, “I want to live right.”
God’s faithfulness continues and his praise is made glorious as our availability allows God to send us to the least traveled roads and to the lives that society offers so little hope.”
-Carol Bell
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These were just some of the stories sent by these amazing participants.
Over all, this week was a huge blessing for me and for Laura. Working with willing open hearts, praying and building the Kingdom in places of hopelessness… what an honor.
Thank you to everyone who prayed for us and thank you to all our participants who came and gave of themselves for the week. The ministries you partnered with were greatly blessed and continually commented how these were the BEST groups to come through this summer. Couldn’t have been more proud to help facilitate the week alongside you.
Want more Adventures in missions? We’ve got domestic and international short term trips you can serve on ALL OVER THE WORLD!
Also, check out our other longer programs like the 1-3 month excursion on Passport (ages 18-22) , a 9 month journey called Gap Year (ages 18-21) and 11 month 11 country adventure on The World Race (ages 21-35)
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