I've Gone Country A blog about a city girl learning a whole new world

We have just returned from Kentucky.  It all started with the Youth from our church planning to go on a Mission trip.  Before long people young and old(er) were wanting to go as well.  I believe we had about 76 people attend.

We stayed in an old school which is now used for these purposes.  It was perfect to house us all for the week.

This is a picture of our dorm….

 

There were several teams on which you could serve, Construction, Distribution, Club 180 and last but certainly not least the Kitchen team.

 

Which is where I worked along side these great people.

 

We served over 2,000 meals…..and loved every minute of it.  The first night we arrived we bought a 50 pound bag of potatoes ….and this precious heart was among them. A reminder to serve the whole week with the love that took us there to begin with.

Here is some of the construction site and members as they enjoy some lunch we delivered.

 

The guys had already knocked out the wall to the right and were making great progress.  That is Billy in the blue shirt, he headed up that team.

Some fathers and sons were on this trip.

It was really neat to see them work along side each other.

This is the outside of their finished project.  This will be part of Club 180, which will offer a counseling area.

Picture taking was limited due to the time I was around the job sites….when we served lunch, I was able to get a pic or two.

Club 180  is here all year, ministering to the community.

This particular week our group did a Vacation Bible School.

The numbers of kids varied all week, but there were about 70 or so each day.

 

We went there to feed them…

 

That’s when we were able to see some of their sweet little faces.

It was neat to see them in action….this was their first week with air conditioning.  This club has been operating for 5 years without air….but that hasn’t stopped the kids from coming.

Another team was building a pavilion at the park.

This enabled parents to access playground equipment, for their disabled children, that they could not otherwise.

As well as providing a nice place to sit or picnic in a shaded area.

It turned out very nice.

The distribution team was very interesting too.

The week we were there was the week set aside for preparing the kids for the school year.

 

They would line up…and be asked sizes for the children’s clothes, shoes etc.  A host was appointed to guide them through from beginning to end.

 

They went through the clothing department, each child received two pairs of new pants and two new shirts.

All areas were covered….

They even had some fun booths for the kids.

 

Haircuts were offered…for the new school year “do”

 

She looks excited!!!!

 

Hard to tell here…..maybe the Mama was the one who was excited about this haircut.

 

There was even a foot washing station….

 

They washed the feet for two reasons.  One because that is what Christ did for his disciples.  Jesus was serving them….He was showing us that we too should serve one another.  It was a outward showing of love and humility….as it still is today.

I heard about this station as some of the group commented on it when they came back to the school, the first day.  It wasn’t until I went to take pictures that I truly felt the love that took place.

Thinking I would grab a quick picture, I had no idea that I would be so moved….. that I would cry.

I watched as both parties were touched by this gesture…..

 

These children were soaking up the reason why someone they didn’t know would want to wash their feet.

That is what we came to do….to serve, sharing the love of Christ.   (John 13: 1-17)

The other reason was because it prepared their feet for new socks and shoes.

 

Every child received a brand new pair of shoes that they “liked”…and that fit properly.  It took many people to make this work.  Missions starts with a group gathering all these donations, long before they ever leave for the trip.  Many people are a part of this project…even if they weren’t here physically.

 

Health kits containing toothbrushes, toothpaste and other items needed for daily hygiene.  All these packed items bought and packed with loving hands, in advance.

 

Back packs loaded with school supplies were also distributed.

Prayer time was offered to these upcoming students as well.

There was much more…food, drinks, popcorn, snow cones, hula hoop contest and fingernail painting to name a few.

People waited in line for hours upon hours just to receive these few items for their children.

The coalmines have  been closed in most of this area.  That was the main industry that provided a living for these people.  Times are hard and the people are struggling.  This was just one way to help the community.

Our group worked hard and played hard.  There were practical jokes once we were back at the school….

 

The boys tried to scare the girls….or prank them any way they could.

Which led to even the adults leaving notes around….just in case someone even THOUGHT about messing with things.

 

All that leads to great memories that I hope all our kids took home with them.

Fun and thought provoking memories…that will prayerfully take them to many more mission opportunities through life.

 

 

 

 

Especially as they reflect on the life’s that they touched…..

 

 

And the lives that touched them back.

It was a great week.  Interesting how we go to bless others…..and yet come away….feeling blessed ourselves.

Mission opportunities are EVERYWHERE.  We can do missions right where we live and work.

It took me a long time to go other places for missions.  Other places besides my little community.  One day I finally just did it…I stepped out of my comfort zone…and I have been the one that has been blessed through it.

I pray you too will step out, if you haven’t already, you won’t regret it.

MARK 16:15  

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.