Appalachia Adventures

When I first heard a group of 5th graders wanted to go on a mission trip, my heart melted. I couldn’t wait for them to experience God in a whole new way and see them stretched out of their comfort zone. I thought for sure they would be shy, maybe even hesitant about the things we had planned for them to do but I was quickly mistaken.

This group showed up ready to serve! They loved the Lord and jumped at every opportunity throughout the week. When I would ask for volunteers to pray, their hands would shoot up in the air with such eagerness. They all wanted to be the ones to come before the Father on behalf of their team and ask for the blessing.

Throughout the week we helped feed and clothe people who were experiencing homelessness. We stacked shelves with donated food and handed out hot food for lunch. At the elderly home, we danced, sang and played games with the residences. We helped clear brush and cleaned out cabins for future mission teams and at the end of the week, we went out and prayed over people in the community. Every ministry we went to, the kids came prepared with bible verses in there pocket, to hand out to people as they felt led.

     

One evening my co-leader and I were talking to our team about listening prayer; explaining that God is always speaking, we just aren’t always listening. We practiced listening prayer by asking God who he wanted us to meet the next day. We had the kids spend some time in silence as they sought to hear from the Lord. Instructing them to paint what they thought the Lord was telling them. Whether it was a word or a picture, even if it seemed a bit silly.

The next day we split up into groups of four and went on a prayer walk through the town. Praying over the town and for people that we came in contact with. The kids held onto the pictures they had painted just incase they came across the person it was meant for. One of the little boy’s named Owen, had painted a picture of a fish. As they were walking they came across an aquarium. He quickly told his group leader that he thought they should go in. They walked up to the lady working and explained that they had been praying the night before, asking God who He wanted them to meet. Owen told her about the picture he had painted then the group prayed for her. After leaving Owen realized he had never showed the lady the picture. He told the group he wanted to bring the picture back to the lady. They want back and he gave her the picture. Her eyes filled with tears as she thanked and hugged him. I don’t know what the lady was going through that day but one thing is clear, she needed a touch from God.

 

One of my favorite things to see on these mission trips is how God not only uses us to bless other people but he in return blesses us for our willingness to listen to His leading. This story of Owen, is only one of the stories from the week but it’s one that really touched my heart. Owen struggled with confidence all week when it came to sharing what God was speaking to him. During devo times, he would want to share but at the last minute change his mind. I believe God not only wanted to use Owen to bless this woman but He also wanted to encourage and stretch him. He was so excited about what he saw happen and I know this moment will stick with him for a lifetime.

“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” Proverbs 22:6

Thank you to all of you who have chose to support me in this new role at Adventures in Missions. It’s because of you that these trips are possible and because of you that these kids lives will forever be changed. Thank you for investing in the Kingdom of God.