Dark, Musty, and Creepy crawlies...

How old were you when you took your first missions trip? For many followers of Jesus, it began in their church youth group. My wife, Laura, was 16 years old when she went door-to-door in a needy community in Mexico. This missions experience of serving and sharing sparked something in her that changed her from the inside out. It took her halfway around the world to Ukraine, where she remained for 17 years, and forged a deep relationship with Jesus that shines through her today. 

Mission trips provide a wonderful opportunity for youth to get out and away from all the noise, demands and comforts of everyday life. Youth group mission endeavors provide great opportunities for the youth pastor and other adult leaders to connect with the youth -- providing a shared experience in an environment that promotes relationship breakthroughs that can produce years of growth.

Recently, we hosted a youth group from Kidron, Ohio -- 12 youth and 5 adults -- in our War, West Virginia location. (WV video clip) The team came in with a readiness to learn, work hard, and serve alongside HFI, and tackled all kinds of jobs. One job which I'll call the ?Big Nasty?-- I am not sure you could pay someone to do. It involved mucking out a basement that had been flooded years before.

The Kidron team rolled up their sleeves and jumped into the basement to muck it out. In some places, the muck was a foot or more deep. It was dark, musty, and who knows what creepy crawlies were down there. The muck-out produced one of our heaviest runs to the local landfill. This group saw the challenge and went after it with ?gusto?. Towards the end, they were down there with buckets and scrapers cleaning the floor. 

 Kidron Mennonite?s week with Hope Force International (HFI) was productive on a couple of fronts: HFI was able to move projects closer to completion, and the organization's long-term capacity to serve was increased as we moved our newly acquired staff house inches away from completion for our newest staff couple, Jack & Svea Schreiner. The youth group grew closer together through the shared experience. As I chatted with Craig, the youth pastor, he was highly encouraged by the growth that was happening in his youth. As you read this, you may be able to relate to how work projects provide opportunities for growth in relationships with your own family and friends. 

Breakthrough happens in ourselves when we step out and serve. It allows us to focus on a project or job that we want to see completed, instead of the differences that can drive us apart. The same is true in a disaster scene. People from all walks of life come together to serve, help and grieve along with survivors. Amazing things happen when we serve and give. I heard this quote from Winston Churchill recently, ?We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.?  The willingness of Kidron Mennonite's team to serve alongside HFI?s work in West Virginia is helping to ?make a life? happen for others.  (by Joey Stoltzfus, HFI Disaster Response Manager)

Considering working with Hope Force International in West Virgina?  Click here for more info...