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We are Christ’s ambassadors, and God is using us to speak to you. 2 Cor 5:20

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

And that’s not just here, but in the DR too!

Even though the Christians in many impoverished nations lack food and other necessities, they are rich in the joy of Jesus. Psalm 4:7 “You have filled my heart with greater joy than when grain and new wine abound.” We can learn much from them.

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Matthew 25:40

I pray your trip is everything you hope it to be and more. I pray God uses you like never before.

Beth, you are so right! That’s a good word. Thanks for it.

On our mission trip this summer, we were challenged to “live simply so that others can simply live.”

It challenged me to find ways to live more frugally here so I have more to give.

We were also told that mission trips will “mess you up.” True. But it’s a good mess.

When I become overwhelmed at the poverty and seemingly hopelessness of it all, I read “They will enter Zion with siging; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. ” Isaiah 51:11

I traveled to the mission field alone when I was in college. It was frightening and wonderful all at the same time.

I just want to encourage the travelers to not hold back anything, out of fear or pride. Just jump in with both feet, experience the trip with everything you have! Weep if you need to, but don’t withdraw. Open yourself up to all that God has for you on this trip.

Yeah, it’s scary. So, grab onto Jesus and march boldly into it. You are never alone.

Alesha

Sophie, you’re the best. Thanks everyone for the verses and the prayers.

Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Melanie God bless you and keep you as HE is about to rock your world and forever change His daughter, give Him All the Praise and Glory. I pray blessings, protection, adventure, compassion, and boldness for yor.

Celeste

My family had the privilege of spending 3 months in Uganda the summer of 2000. My husband, boys ages 8, 4, and 2 and myself (of course)worked with college students in Kampala. It was life-changing for all of us. I would like to share a verse that helped me when irrational fears would take over when thinking about taking the children…2 Corinthians 10:5 the part that says, “we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” Our family’s life verse is I Thessalonians 2:8 “We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the Gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.” Just as we came to love those we came in contact with in Uganda (as you did as well), I’m sure Melanie will always treasure them in her heart and prayers.

God go with all of you and reveal Himself to you through the people you touch.

Joshua 1:9

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified;do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you WHEREVER you go.”

To love them well while they are with them and pray for them once they’re home. To show them affection without reservation. It may be the only affection they ever experience in their lives. To never forget what they will encounter. Never cease praying for them to live life to the fullest by having a personal relationship with Jesus. To pray Hebrews 12:2-3 over their lives while they are in their presence and continue to do so once they’re back home.

Hebrews 12:2-3 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

When we went to the Philippines this summer (who goes to the Philippines in the summer?), our Pastor told us again and again this truth. What we do for the people we meet while we’re there is nice and they will be grateful, but it will only last for as long as we do. If, on the other hand, we can continue to support those who stay in country to help in an ongoing way, we will be doing them even greater service. We were able to open some doors and make some connections for those nationals who were living in the communities we served and we know that the ministry continues, even while we are back in the states. God simply calls us to be faithful, as He is faithful. It is an unnatural and impossible job in our own strength, but if we strive to be Him to the world, He will use us. God bless your trip and your return.

I think it’s good for us to go on mission trips to 3rd world countries and see first hand how MUCH we have….even if we think we don’t have as much as most here in the USA.

Many years ago my husband and I went to southern Mexico….way down where no English was spoken!…..on a mission trip. It was just he and I that went. He over-hauled the diesel motor on the church’s bus that it used to pick up people on Sunday who otherwise had no way to come to church.

I remember going with the missionaries to visit a church member dying from breast cancer. She was not in a sterile hospital room with a bevy of doctors and nurses waiting on her and plying her with pain meds but instead was lying on her little cot in the sweltering heat of her small dirt floored shanty. She was waving away the occasional fly with a paper in her hand. Yet the joy of the Lord shone in her smiling face. I have often thought of her since. She had what I want. Peace and contentment with what she had in life because she had the hope of glory in her eternal life. Melanie….may God bless and be with you on your trip!

Marilyn…..from Mississippi

I’m so excited for your trip and pray God’s blessings of peace, protection and grace.

The best “advice” I can give is to be prepared to experience both extreme grief and amazing joy at the very same time. You may feel absolutely overwhelmed and hopeless at the suffering you see, but also be extremely blessed by the people’s incredible sense of joy in the midst of their own suffering. I pray that God will give you both the courage and the grace to fully immerse yourself in the culture (obviously those things that are of God) and soak it all up. I pray that He gives you countless opportunities to be His hands and heart to the people you meet.

Sweet blessings, Amy in OR