30 folks - ranged from 18 to 40 years of age - formed a troop and traveled down south with a common goal in their minds: to show others God's love.
Pre-trip
I came to know about this mission trip at "Sidestreet" event that was held in January. Miles Seppelt, the InterVasity Christian Fellowship campus staff, spoke to me about this and encouraged me to join the troop. Initially, I was reluctant. God moved me with the attractive scholarship that whosoever be the first four to sign up may receive some discount.
I took time to check them out one Wednesday in January. I then made up my mind that I really wanted to do this because I have never gone on a mission trip before. God is gracious that He granted me a $75 off the total cost of the trip.
Things went every smoothly since then. We were asked to form three main teams: Project team, kitchen team and Vacation Bible School (VBS) team. I joined the VBS team because I thought that handling kids was something that I'm good at.
Weeks after weeks, we met in the Alumni room. Bits and pieces we laid out the whole game plan for the trip.
The Ride
March 12, it was a sunny morning that turned windy in the afternoon. The troop embarked the bus at about 6p.m. and departed St. Cloud half an hour later. 36 hours in total and numerous stops we had through the journey from Minnesota-Iowa-Missouri-Kansas-Oklahoma-Texas-New Mexico- and finally Arizona. The ride was not as dreadful as I've expected. We did not know one another really well. Yet, sing-a-long session brought most of us together.
We arrived on Sunday morning, at Fountain of Living Waters church, and made it to the morning service conducted by Ps. Wayne.
The rest of the week was just phenomenal:
Project
I was in the "Goldfish" painting team. All in all we painted 2 houses in the week. The lady in the video below was the host for the first house that we've painted. I was so touched by her and her family. Like Miles mentioned before, "it is 60-70% poverty there, you won't believe that you're still in America when you are down there." Now I understand what that really meant. I seriously thank God for all that I have owned in my life right now. The Apaches community are friendly though. I enjoyed all my painting sessions there even though it was painful for my back and arm, the smiles on the Apaches faces encouraged me to move on.
VBS
The entire VBS team were very excited about getting the kids to come to church. On Monday, we headed out in the 2 "church vans" to the Apaches neighborhood to give out flyers to inform them about VBS. The church vans were the most "fantastic" vehicles I have ever ride on. Both of them had lost the side windows, one of the "Ferrari's" has its roof top ready to fly away anytime.
It was really a sort of experience. Now, I won't complain about my 20-year-old Honda Civic anymore.
The first day of VBS was total chaos. 30 kids from three- to 18 years old attended the bible school and we totally lost control of the situation. I can't remember how much I wanted to punish the kids by giving them push-ups like what I used to do with the boys in Boys' Brigade. They were just rough and rude. Nonetheless, we survived through the 2-hour VBS and got ourselves sat down and planned for the upcoming days.
The second the third day was rather good compared to Monday. I suggested that we split the younger kids from the older kids in order to have better disciplinary control. It worked. We were forced to divide our team into two and I was in the junior section.
The last day of VBS was combined with the Extravaganza party, in which we followed Jesus' example of feeding the 5000. Though there weren't 5000 Apaches, many turned up that evening. The entire troop took up different roles to make the Extravaganza a blast. Some grilled, some entertained and some controlled the situation (imagine 70 kids running around in the middle of the road). At the end of the party, Ps. Wayne led the Apaches in saying the sinners prayer and many came to accept God as their personal Lord and Savior.
Overall
I felt really blessed on this trip. Not only that I have made good friends, I felt the Lord working through each individuals to make this trip a successful one. Something extraordinary was that for a few days, I was able to experience all 4-seasons within a day, snow in the morning, windy in the afternoon, sunny in the evening and cold again at night. We were blamed to have brought over the snow all the way from Minnesota to Arizona. Ha!
Also, I love the people on this trip. They have so much passion for Christ and they have been the example for me in the entire week. They are also very fuzzy and friendly. I learned how to play many games, i.e. "Bunny-bunny" and "Big bottie." In return, I taught them some games that I used to play in BB. I have also showed some of them magic tricks.
"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." - 1 Timothy 4:12.
I was reminded of this verse over and over in this trip. God had used everyone on this trip to show love in one way or another. I am so proud to be a tool for God. Blessed be the name of the Lord. In all things we do, we do it in the name of Jesus. The most vivid memory I had for the trip was when I stood beside a little girl when she said the sinners prayer. I am just so touched by her purity and sincerity. Deep down I prayed that she will grow up to be the salt and light for the world.
Even though this week was really exhausting, this had certainly been the most memorable week ever of my life.
