In Luke 10, Luke tells of Jesus sending out the Seventy (two) and verse 17 tells us that they “returned with joy.” Only those who have gone out to serve the Lord in some way can truly appreciate the joy that comes from ‘going out’ and ‘serving’.
In Luke 10, Luke tells of Jesus sending out the Seventy (two) and verse 17 tells us that they “returned with joy.” Only those who have gone out to serve the Lord in some way can truly appreciate the joy that comes from ‘going out’ and ‘serving’.
This certainly was the case of the twenty some people from our church who just returned from the missions trip to Jenkins KY. What a thrill it was to minister in this coal mining town deep in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains.
The outreach team had programs at a couple of schools, in nursing homes, in parks, in churches and even at a Wal-Mart. The gospel was presented and God was glorified. The quilting team from the church had made many quilts which were taken down to be distributed and had the opportunity to go to a community center for a quilting demonstration. The communications had broken down a bit on this one so the turnout was not what had been hoped for, but it still was a privilege to serve.
Meanwhile the construction crew was busy on the renovation of one of the old ‘coal’ houses located nearby. It was far and away the worst looking house that we saw in the town. The windows were mostly all out. The doors needed replacing. The flooring in a back hallway was rotten and had to be replaced, the back porch had to be torn out and replaced and the house needed to be painted. The work progressed well and when finished even the neighbors were saying they couldn’t believe what a difference it made in the neighborhood.
When one of the team members returned to say goodbye to the lady who lived there with her son, he found her giving the house a top to bottom cleaning with a new found pride in her dwelling place. She was also out at a service we held on Thursday evening at the mission. It is our prayer that she will continue to come out and that she will give her life to the Lord.
The frosting on the cake for the construction crew was the building (on our last day there) of a steeple with a cross which was placed on the roof of the mission. It makes that old NAPA building look like a spiffy church.
A number of kids came with us on the trip and they all took part in the ministry. Kyle worked hard with his dad on the construction team, and the girls, Kendyl, Corban, Rose, along with Jonna Lynn and Naomi took part in the music, dance, skits, juggling and magic tricks.
The trip was also an opportunity to get to know everyone better and the week went by amazingly well. We were challenged by the faith and courage of our hosts Lester and Bessie McPeek who have shown great vision and courage as they have ministered to needy mothers in this very poor area through their mission: God’s Love From A Diaper Bag.
We have returned to Bridgton, once again, with a renewed vision for reaching out to our own community by ministering to the very practical needs as well as the spiritual needs of those we come in contact with.