There are many benefits a person gains from traveling to another country and culture.
Traveling to other places opens up a person to new ideas and possibilities. And in the case of mission trips, these trips open up a person to experience and hear from God in ways they normally wouldn't.
Over the last few years, I've seen my children's outlook on life and their walk with the Lord be changed by the time they've spent serving in Swaziland...
I've seen them learn to love the Lord more deeply and, as a result, the "least of these" more fully.
I've seen them turn into followers of Jesus with a global heart. When they hear news stories of disasters or wars or injustices occuring in Asia, the Middle East, South of the Border, or Africa, they realize that there are real people behind the names, statistics, and stories. They are burdened to pray and give, and when possible, go.
Next month, David and Anna will go. They will once again learn of a new culture, a new place, a new people. They will hear new stories with an old theme...people with hurts and burdens who need the love of Jesus...people who were in bondage and darkness who were given a new life thru Jesus.
They will have the honor and blessing of becoming a part of those stories. They will have the chance to be a part of God's plan to set the captives free and heal up the broken hearted. They will have the chance to encourage those who are downhearted and support those who are already working diligently for the Kingdom.
David and Anna both are in the process of raising money for their trips. David now needs just under a thousand dollars. Anna still needs a little more than that.
A sweet friend who we know through our homeschool group and used to go to church with us has donated a painting of African animals for us. Now, my kids who've been to Africa know that real giraffes, zebras, lions, and monkeys look just a wee bit different than these adorable critters, but that's okay because they'd look great decorating a church nursery, pediatrician's office, or child's room. And since we're selling them for the kids' mission trips, the money we'll make is okay, too.
This original creation, by Sarah Polson Macoy, measures 8 X 10 and has a dark blue ribbons accenting the painting. It is painted on a flat canvas that can be displayed as is or framed.
The bidding will start at $9. To bid on it, leave a comment with your name, contact information, and amount you are bidding. If you aren't able to leave a message, send me your contact via facebook or thru an email to jimelm "at" windstream "dot" net.
I will be glad to ship this to anyone living in the Continental U.S.A. This auction will end at 5:00 this Friday. SEE AMENDMENT BELOW.
IMPORTANT AMENDMENT: Due to technical issues with Blogger, my blog was not accessible during most of the two days leading up to the end of the original auction. For that reason, this item is back up for auction. The bidding will end on Friday, May 27 at 5:00.
By the way, I want to identify a couple of friends in photos featured. The laughing girl with the parrot is the sister of one of Anna's friends. Megan went on the AIM Ambassador trip to Peru this past summer that David is going on this year. The young woman in front of the Sun Pyramid in Mexico is a treasured friend of mine that I know through my college social club, The Troubadours, at MUW. She spent time one summer in Spanish language immersion south of the border. Thanks for sharing y'all's photos!
When traveling, a person learns of the ways other people live...
...things they've seen before on nature and science shows become real...
...and events they had just read about in history books seem to come alive when the places they occurred are visited.
Traveling to other places opens up a person to new ideas and possibilities. And in the case of mission trips, these trips open up a person to experience and hear from God in ways they normally wouldn't.
Over the last few years, I've seen my children's outlook on life and their walk with the Lord be changed by the time they've spent serving in Swaziland...
...Romania...
...and Mexico.
I've seen them learn to love the Lord more deeply and, as a result, the "least of these" more fully.
I've seen them turn into followers of Jesus with a global heart. When they hear news stories of disasters or wars or injustices occuring in Asia, the Middle East, South of the Border, or Africa, they realize that there are real people behind the names, statistics, and stories. They are burdened to pray and give, and when possible, go.
This spring, Betsie has gone to Thailand.
Next month, David and Anna will go. They will once again learn of a new culture, a new place, a new people. They will hear new stories with an old theme...people with hurts and burdens who need the love of Jesus...people who were in bondage and darkness who were given a new life thru Jesus.
They will have the honor and blessing of becoming a part of those stories. They will have the chance to be a part of God's plan to set the captives free and heal up the broken hearted. They will have the chance to encourage those who are downhearted and support those who are already working diligently for the Kingdom.
David and Anna both are in the process of raising money for their trips. David now needs just under a thousand dollars. Anna still needs a little more than that.
A sweet friend who we know through our homeschool group and used to go to church with us has donated a painting of African animals for us. Now, my kids who've been to Africa know that real giraffes, zebras, lions, and monkeys look just a wee bit different than these adorable critters, but that's okay because they'd look great decorating a church nursery, pediatrician's office, or child's room. And since we're selling them for the kids' mission trips, the money we'll make is okay, too.
This original creation, by Sarah Polson Macoy, measures 8 X 10 and has a dark blue ribbons accenting the painting. It is painted on a flat canvas that can be displayed as is or framed.
The bidding will start at $9. To bid on it, leave a comment with your name, contact information, and amount you are bidding. If you aren't able to leave a message, send me your contact via facebook or thru an email to jimelm "at" windstream "dot" net.
I will be glad to ship this to anyone living in the Continental U.S.A. This auction will end at 5:00 this Friday. SEE AMENDMENT BELOW.
*****************************
IMPORTANT AMENDMENT: Due to technical issues with Blogger, my blog was not accessible during most of the two days leading up to the end of the original auction. For that reason, this item is back up for auction. The bidding will end on Friday, May 27 at 5:00.
**********************************
By the way, I want to identify a couple of friends in photos featured. The laughing girl with the parrot is the sister of one of Anna's friends. Megan went on the AIM Ambassador trip to Peru this past summer that David is going on this year. The young woman in front of the Sun Pyramid in Mexico is a treasured friend of mine that I know through my college social club, The Troubadours, at MUW. She spent time one summer in Spanish language immersion south of the border. Thanks for sharing y'all's photos!
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Due to technical issues with Blogger, my blog was not accessible during most of the two days leading up to the end of the auction. For that reason, this item is back up for auction. The bidding will end on Friday, May 27 at 5:00.
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