Minded For Missions: Part 2

I have spent the last few days recuperating and reflecting on last weeks mission trip with our churches youth group. It was a week of hard work, giving and receiving blessings from many wonderful people.

     Englewood First Baptist Youth Group & Sponsors

     We left Sunday after out morning church service to Appalachian Outreach in Jefferson City, TN. AO is a wonderful ministry near Carson-Newman College that has many ways in which to help folks in need. For more info: Appalachian OutreachThey always have homes in need of repair and this is the type of job our youth did this year.

Introduction and prayer                                                           Getting ready to remove the shingles

 Roofing in progress                                                                  Almost to the flue

We started our first day meeting Sandra, whose home we were working on, and praying. This home was an older home and in need of many repairs. It needed a complete new roof, which our youth removed all old shingles, replaced some damaged boards, and place the new shingles, in two days! A few of our youth had the job of removing part of the chimney flue. One of the bedrooms had severe damage to the ceiling tiles. That's where I worked mostly. We removed tiles, cleaned the walls, and repainted the ceiling. I also repaired a few dresser drawers that were broken. I also planted her some vegetables. A group of girls repainted the front of the house, the eaves, and pressure washed the awning. 

     Removing the floor                                         Scraping of the old paint

The hardest job had to be a bedroom in which the floor was sinking in. After removal of the floor, three inches of water was found underneath and the floor joices were severely damaged. This group of guys had to jack up the house, replace the joices, replace the floor, and lay the carpet. The reason for the water was the incline of her backyard causes the water to run to the house. A drain was installed four years ago, but obviously doesn't work. It was only six inches underneath the ground. We rented a backhoe to dig a two foot deep trench for a new drain. Unfortunately, we hit solid rock about 8 inches down, so we had to rent more heavy equipment.

     Busting the rock                                                                           Covering it back up

We worked from Monday to Thursday, finishing all jobs. We headed out Friday morning to spend the day relaxing on Tellico Lake. The kids enjoy fun on the lake with wake boarding and tubing. I spent the day on a float in a quiet cove soaking up some serious sun.

      Coming in for dinner                                                             Hamburgers and hotdogs on the grill

Sandra is a special lady. I am truly blessed to have been able to meet and help her.

      Sandra                                                                                   Our youth pastor presents Sandra with a Bible

      Beautiful sunset on the lake

Next I will be leaving to go to South Dakota for the EFBC adult mission trip. Stay tuned for the 3rd part of "Minded for Missions."

Minded For Missions

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.   Romans 12:1

    To Montana or bust                                               Welcome to Jordan, MT

    

        Englewood First Baptist Church mission team in Jordan, MT

To live the Christian life is to allow Jesus to live His life in and through us. Galatians 2:20 says, "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Jesus spent his life on earth as a servant and as a dedicated follower of Jesus, I believe in living my life in service to Him. Part of my service is going on mission trips. Being a missionary is first about spreading the word of Jesus, and second showing His love in service to others.

    A service window in their kitchen                        Replacing the back porch
Last July was my first mission trip. Since it was the churches first adult mission trip too, the plan was to stay within the boundaries of the United States. Our mission team leader contacted a few places and after much prayer, we were headed to Jordan, MT. Jordan in located in Garfield County, which is the size of Connecticut and only has a population of 1100. Talk about your wide open spaces. We had 48 members (22 were youth) of our church travel from Englewood, TN to Jordan, MT. While there, members made many repairs to the Jordan Community Bible Church and the parsonage, visited the nursing home, cooked, painted, did lots of yard work, were counselors for Bible camp, did some ranch work, and held VBS for the community. I was director for VBS. There I met and fell in love with many adorable children. We started VBS in a large tent in the park, but those Montana winds caused us to finish the week out in the local service hall. The drive was long, but it was the first time I had been that far west. The country is beautiful and we got to do some site seeing on our way home.

    VBS helpers and students                                    Handsome little Montana cowboy

    Going to the church for lunch                               Singing and dancing

    Sharing the gospel with colored birds
This year I have two mission trips to attend. The first one is with our church youth. I am currently serving as a youth sponsor (my first year). The youth, which is ages 13yo to 18yo, goes on a mission trip every summer. They usually attend Appalachian Outreach. At AO, they are given projects of construction for homes that have started deteriorating. I am leaving this Sunday with 22 youth and we will return Friday, July 1st. My second mission trip is with the adults of our church. This year we are heading over to Pierre, SD. My family and I will leave July 8th and return July 18. On this trip, I will be singing, taking my therapy dog to local nursing homes, and cooking the meals for our team. We have been praying that the flooding will start to recede before we get there.

Interested in visiting Pierre, SD or Appalachian Outreach? Follow this links for more info:

Pierre, SD
Appalachian Outreach