Follow-up Archive

September 5, 2007

"Load Up!" Out of your Comfort Zone into the Mission Field
By Suzie Salleee

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There has been nothing in my life that compares to a mission trip: out of my comfort zone and stripped back so that God can reshape, reenergize and reignite the passion I have to labor in His ministry. With a mission trip, it is not just building a house that is significant, but building relationships with new friends - God's people in need - sharing the love of Christ and building a stronger bond with God. We have been created to praise and serve the Lord God Almighty. We can do this by serving His people. Only weeks ago, I was blessed to be part of a mission trip that served His people in Juarez, Mexico.

"Load up!" That was the last thing said as everyone piled into 15-passenger vans for our mission trip to Juarez to build houses for those in desperate need of a place to call their own. What else could it be that makes one look forward to cramming into vans filled with people you don't know, sitting on an uncomfortable seat for 48 straight hours, without the comfort of your own schedule, no shower, eating sandwiches for every meal and sleeping on the hard ground? It is a blessing and a calling that only comes from God to make the difference in the lives of His people! It is the voice of God prompting us to serve Him by serving His people.

Upon arriving to Juarez, we weaved around the outskirts of town. I always enjoy watching the faces of those who are making the trip for the first time as they experience a new culture. Within fifteen minutes we arrived to the campus called "home" for the next 5 days: a church we have been staying in for over 10 years. The pastor and his family have become near and dear to us. (We have been making this trip time and time again.) They graciously open their property to us - up to 200 people on some trips! The kids scrambled to claim a space on the floor to plop their stuff. Then we gathered together to worship in song, prayer and receive from God's Word.

Many on the trip had no idea what to expect while others were pumped and ready to work, knowing exactly what was to come.5:00 a.m.: "Wake up!" The CD player turned on the highest volume played "GO". Audio Adrenaline sang: "I wanna be your hands, I wanna be your feet, I'll GO where you send me, GO where you send me!" As we awoke this sluggish group, the goal was to remind them that we are working as instruments of God to do His will. Breakfast was served and into the vans we went, off to the worksite!

When we arrived, the group teamed up with a project manager who taught the workers how to build a home. The first thing we did was stand in a circle encompassing the ground on which to build. Everyone took a knee and placed one hand on the ground as we prayed:

"Lord, we are standing on holy ground. Today nothing sits upon this space other than the lives of those who love you and desire nothing more than to do your will. Give us the strength and determination to endure the task that is before us. You have blessed our lives and, in turn, we pray that we too can be a blessing to others. It is hard to believe that in just 3 short days a house will stand on this very spot and a family will have a home. Bless the hearts of those who are kneeling at your feet this very moment and bless the home we are about to build for we pray that in your name we are furthering the kingdom of God. Amen."

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