A Story To Tell

So much happened over our first mission/vision trip that I don't know where to start.  We were blessed with safe travels, places to sleep, food to eat, car to drive, and work to join.  More importantly, God allowed us to hear stories of how He has transformed lives.  Here are a few examples of God at work in the lives of people in the mission field that follows crisis.

NEW JERSEY UPDATE

HOMEOWNER
The team served at Ms. Rosie's home which was completely devastated by Sandy (pic below).  Rosie shared her story of the storm and her life since then.  Through these difficult trials, she has recently started attending Beacon Church and learning more about God and the hope of Christ.  The team's presence at Ms. Rosie's home encouraged her that she was not forgotten and that someday she'd be restored to her home.

VOLUNTEER
Mark and I also had the pleasure of hearing the testimony of one of the volunteers serving in NJ.  He told us how he had come to point of crisis in his own life due to drugs, alcohol, etc.  He said he literally heard the voice of God calling out to him and he had to find out who was speaking to Him.  Thankfully God had put believers in his life who pointed him to Jesus and to the cross.  He surrendered his life only a few years ago to the Lord and is fired up to share his new addiction of Jesus Christ to anyone he meets! 

NEW YORK UPDATE

HOMEOWNER
In New York, we had a team come from Utah and immediately they formed friendships with their homeowners, Ms. Anna and Ms. Lily (pic below).  After an all day rain on Wednesday, Anna's basement had flooded and Ms. Lily was sure that her basement had flooded as well.  Turns out Lily's basement didn't flood which inspired her to go out and help those who were.  Lily was no longer just a recipient of help but now she was a giver too!

 

VOLUNTEER
Mark and I also had the chance to share the love of Christ with a volunteer who came to serve in New York who was there but didn't know why.  She wasn't a believer but felt this was something she needed to do.  After spending a week serving alongside our staff and volunteers, God began to open her eyes to His truth and love.  This past Sunday, she committed her life to following Jesus Christ.  She has told me that "The whole trip was such an amazing experience. God wanted me there for a reason and now I know why."  PRAISE THE LORD!!

COMMUNITY MEMBER
We had the chance to meet a man named Aiman who has started a relief center where his house once stood.  He started where he was with what he had!  Praise the LORD for his obedience!  You can read more of his story on our Crisis Response Blog!

I hope these stories encourage your hearts and remind you that God is at work everywhere!  He's in the huge life changing moments and in the small day-to-day moments!  Take some time this week to see where He's at work and praise Him for it!

"From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, 

The name of the LORD is to be praised."

Psalm 113:3