I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.
– Matthew 25:36
LINKS:
Guatemala Mission Trips
Jail Ministry
The word “missions” can evoke such deep emotions. Each year, many Americans go around the globe on mission trips with churches or other organizations. Some Americans even feel called to move to another country and become missionaries. On the other hand, many U.S. citizens struggle with the fact that there are people with needs right here in our country. A few years ago, someone asked us, “Why don’t you spend your time and money on the people in America?” That is a great question!
First, we know statistically that sadly, the poorest Americans are actually richer than the average person living in a third world country. We want to make the biggest impact where it’s needed the most! But we also know that you need to serve where you are called to serve. It’s not about WHERE you serve that’s important; rather it’s that you DO serve and love on other humans. It says in Acts 20:35, “…we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, who He himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”
In 2012, our family pursued volunteering at the Good Samaritan Rescue Mission, taking care of the children living at a local shelter so their parents could attend church services on Friday nights. Since then, God has opened doors for us to go on trips to Central America. He’s given us a heart for a tiny village that doesn’t have the services we have here in America, such as garbage pick up, animal control, medical facilities, food pantries, or homeless shelters. If God changes that calling and He wants our family to focus our time and resources in a different country or somewhere more local, you better believe we will obey.
We would love to take you to Guatemala if you are called to do that. If you aren’t, then continue serving right where you are – in your home, at your job, and in your own community! In the end, it’s all about love … and that can happen anywhere! Mission work can happen right here in the Tri-City area. Click on the links above to find out more about our overseas mission trips or how you can volunteer your time locally at one of the jails. These are just two of the many ways we can do what it says in Romans 15:1 – “Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”