I just returned from a mission trip in Washington, D.C. yesterday morning. We left on Saturday morning at 5:00 a.m. and just got back. Last year I had the opportunity to go with our students to New York City and minister to the people of N.Y. God worked in so many great ways and it was a life changing experience for me.
This trip was another trip that I saw God move in some big ways. Here are some God things I saw in this trip.
- We stayed in a church in D.C. and I learned what it means to not complain about little things. We were thrown some curve balls at first, but God ended up using those curve balls for his glory!
- We had the chance to go to church at the Star of Bethlehem Church in Christ where we stayed on Sunday. I was totally in awe of how those people worshipped Christ! A typical Sunday morning for me is worship from 10:45-noon and then rush off for lunch. Well, not these people. We went to Sunday School from 9:30-11, then worship from 11-1:30. These people freely worshipped Christ and they didn't care what people thought. They raised their hands, they shouted out praises to God, they danced, incredible preaching. It totally made me want to worship my God in whatever way he calls me to!
- We spent one day working in Lincoln Heights, which is a project in D.C. and it is one of the roughest spots in D.C. We ended up cleaning a park where we found so much junk: alcohol bottles, tons of trash, we cut down limbs, dug up holes, and found more interesting stuff. We had the chance to talk to so people who really needed Jesus. This was a big impact day for me personally.
- We spent time at the church working with the children for their vacation bible school. This was another day that really ministered to me. There were so many children who just soaked up our love and that needed the touch of Christ. I was sad to see us leave these kids.
- We spent several days ministering around the D.C. Capitol area. We ministered around the White House, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Vietnam Wall, Arlington Cemetery, Union Station, World War 2 Memorial, and other locations. The group encountered many people who needed Jesus and it was cool to see how the students were bold enough to share their faith.
- We had some awesome times of worship at night. The Lord really showed up on Thursday night. Their were several students who laid things down at the feet of Christ and I was touched to see how far some of the kids came throughout the week.
- Had some incredible time of prayer time with my small group and others on trip.
I was praying that God would use me to encourage our team and those in the D.C. area. I have now been on two mission trips and each one has been different. I have so much more to learn on how to serve God more but being on this mission trip was a true blessing. I am really looking forward to seeing myself and our students take this experience back home and be able to witness and share our faith to our lost family members and friends.
