Missions Trips: Some Things Should Be Mystery, Some Things Not

While packing for our Peru missions trip today my friend Laurie Crowley Bolton Tweeted that she had read an article I contributed. Turns out it was in Group Magazine. I've been so busy lately I haven't had time to read this issue. I'll be reading it on the plane to Peru. In any event, I found the content of my piece so timely as it relates to missions trips. Enjoy.

Final Preparations for Peru!

I was in the pizzeria picking up 5 pies for our team last night when I saw a guy walk in with a great t-shirt on. It said, "Champions are made in the off season." I could not agree more. In fact, for years I have preached preparation to our students -- especially when they want to go on a missions trip. Our trips are not just 8 days. They are usually at least 4 months! Four months of team meetings and practices.

Last night our Peru team held its final team practices on U.S. soil. On Sunday we will be prayed over and commissioned at our Syosset campus. On Monday 41 of us will be departing for Lima, Peru. I'm so proud of our students! I know this is a first for many of them to prepare as extensively as we have, but our goal is to fill our ministry tool belt so that no matter what we encounter we can step up and serve. We have now trained to share testimonies, make balloon animals, do face painting, perform skits and dramas, lead group devotions, and we even have musicians to lead worship. We are also taking tools with us to do some work on the church we are working with. Please keep us in prayer as we go to love and serve people in the name of Jesus.

Summer Spectacular Crazy Hair Day and Nerd Day

Today I wrapped up a super fun week working with Jr. High Students at our church's Summer Spactacular (VBS). We really had a great time learning, playing, and building relationships. It's a great week for us to help many kids either make the transition from kids ministry into student ministry, or even to begin attending church. We have people in our church who have received Christ because of how we have loved and cared for their children. May fruit remain. 

Yankees Game With An Old Friend

Yesterday my friend Jonathan Schwandt was in New York City doing some work for Rhema Home Orphanage, a ministry his parents founded in Nairobi, Kenya, and which he serves as the Director for the USA. Before heading back to Rochester, he and his coworker Lance decided to take in a Yankees game and invited me to join them. Jonny and I met as teenagers in Kenya when I was there as a teenager in 1991. We attended Bible College together a few years later. It was so great seeing him again after all these years.

Natalia Flies to Chicago to See Nana and Pappy ... All By Herself!

This morning I took Natalia to the airport for her first-ever flight by herself. She flew to Chicago to spend two weeks with Nana and Pappy Mahaffy while we are in Peru. So proud of our little girl. She's so responsible and mature. Growing up so fast!

Made it safely! Happy to be with Nana!

Summer Spectacular Crazy Hat Day

Today was day 2 of Shelter Rock Church's Kid's Summer Spectacular! I am working with the middle schoolers, and today we had Crazy Hat Day. Fun!

SRCStudent Ministries Summer Kickoff Picnic

On Sunday we had our Summer Kickoff Picnic and had a great turnout and a wonderful time!