Almost Time....

In just under four days we leave for our mission trip.  11 youth, 3 chaperones, 8.5 hours, 2 vans and who knows how many pit stops along the way.  This is the third year the youth have gone on a mission trip and each year is different than the last and each year presents new challenges, new lessons, new friends, and new opportunities for growth.  Even though we're not sure exactly what we'll be doing until we get there and we're not sure what our accommodations or food will be like we are anxious to go.  The youth are counting down the days until we begin our adventure.  But if there is one thing that has been evident through the last couple of years of mission trips, it's not about us.  It's not about the fact that this is the largest group we've had participated, it's not about the fact that we had to get 2 vans this year, and it's not even about the fact that we are going to help those in need.  What it is about are those we're helping. 

Every year we go excited to meet people and help where needed, but every year the people we go to help end up helping us.  Every year at least one of our groups gets touched in a special way by the people we go to help.  There's always that special something about the people we go to help as if they were hand-picked by God (funny how that works out).  The trials they've been through, the strength they show, the lessons they share, and the love they shine is worth far more than a new roof or fresh paint.  It's exciting to watch God's work unfold...we go on mission trips to help serve and be God's Hands and Feet with a Purpose, but many times the purpose God has in mind isn't what we think it will be - many times the purpose is not only to change the community we're in, but to have a change take place within ourselves.  So in just 3 days, 15 hours, and 49 minutes we leave again to become God's Hands and Feet with a Purpse...what will the purpose be this year?