Mission Trip to Asia 2007, VBS 2008, VBS 2009, VBS 2010, Mission Trip 2011, VBS 2012

June 8th

We were greeted by the parents of the team, their siblings, and some friends before we left for Iowa.  We had great fellowship and a great prayer time as we asked for God blessings.  One of the things that really encouraged me is how God has brought these families together for one common goal: to share His Word for His kingdom.  I was touched by a visit from Jon Lindstrom, who was part of our team last year.  He made special arrangements so he could be there.  Our dads took charge in loading our luggage and VBS materials.  Mr. Mike and his wife gave us some muffins to snack on the way.  All gave us their blessings.  We had the confidence that we are being prayed for and that God will bless our ministry.

We had the opportunity to eat our lunch by the Mississippi River.  We stopped at Parkersburg, a town that was demolished by a tornado last year.  It is amazing how that town rebuilt itself.  We had the opportunity to hear news on how God used this tragedy to challenge a specific family.

When we arrived at the church, we were greeted by several blessings.  First, the church families have decorated much of the church already, which gives us more time to prepare for our ministries.  We know that the church is in full support and that we are partnering together.  Then my in-laws gave us a box which contained money donated by the church for our needs.  This is a love offering from the families.  The  report states that many gave out of their hearts that is comparable to the widow's mite (Mark 12:41-44).  They also handed us small film containers filled with quarters.  Several families had taken up this project for each student to help with the laundry.  We also were given an account with the local grocery which were established by collecting aluminum cans.  God is so good and His people are being used in marvelous ways.  The students are experiencing this!  Is God real to these students?  His handiwork is being demonstrated tremendously in their lives.

We are reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan as part of our study.  Our goal is to challenge students to be authentic in their faith, to demonstrate it through tangible ways.  How do we accomplish this?  I challenge you to discuss this topic with our team when they come back.

Lem

June 11th

Hi, It's Alli.  This morning, Mik and I got up early and went out running like we have been and we had a really good run.  The rest of the group slept in.  We had breakfast and had a laid back morning.  The people who are the leaders for VBS came and we decorated our classrooms.  After that we took showers (they haven't been bad because we learned how to cooperate with them).  Next we practiced puppets and songs and had lunch and practiced again.  The rest of the day was relaxed.  We went to what we call "Doat" Park -- this is because it is called Deer Park, but there are goats in there also.  Then we went to the beach.  We waded in the water and played in the sand.  When we got home, Claire and I rested while the others set up the volleyball net and played.  Then we had our night devotions.  They were in the book Crazy Love.  They were about God being holy, eternal, all-knowing, and all-powerful.  Next we had dinner...yummy pizza!  Later were were all hyper and were just being weird.  Finally we watched a series of comedians from Thou Shalt Laugh and went to bed. 

I miss you all and will see you soon!  In His hands,

Alli

June 14th

Well, I've been here for a week and made it through the first day of VBS.  Hannah and I (this one's for Mrs. DeGraaf) are teaching the juniors (4th-5th graders).  It was really fun.  I enjoyed every part of it.  I'm starting to miss my family a lot.  Jake and I also always bring up inside jokes, for the memory of Lexi and Alli K.  This whole trip is a new experience for me.  Being away from home is the biggest and hardest change.  I am also learning how to adjust to people who are different from me.  It helps to be with my friends from school.  I have been learning more about my faith also...like at any minute I could be with the Lord -- SCARY!  I also realize that it's not all about me =(  but that all I do is actually all for and about God.  BTW, what is with all these people thinking me and Nathan are bro and sis?

Claire 

June 15th

Hey Ya'll back home.  I am pleased to say that Monday went well.  Our morning began a little earlier than most of the days before.  After showers and breakfast, we got ready for VBS.  Kids soon came and signed in and we did the beginning chapel.  After that we did games, Bible teaching, crafts, and snack along with the closing chapel.  Then we ate lunch, had devotions, practiced for tomorrow, and relaxed.  After this, we went to the park and to Grandpa and Grandma's house, had dinner, and devotions, and came back to the church to hang out and go to bed.

One thing that challenged me was in our devotional, which asked do you love God or His stuff.  I need to remember that God loves me, not my stuff!  Oh, and for your information, we already have one new convert!  Praise Jesus! 

Be blessed!  'til later,

Trent

June 9th

Today was awesome!  We canvassed most of the day after our cold showers.  Sorry...freezing!  Most of the girls, including my mom, screamed so loudly.  Apparently, the "men" screamed like the girls too.  I think that was the fastest showers anyone has ever taken.  Oh yeah, the showers are all in the same room with no curtains.  First time, I think, that we've showered in swim-suits and with four other people. 

Devotions were really good.  In the morning, we compared our lives as Christians to growing rock candy.  We learned that in order for our lives to be right on the outside, we need to have the Holy Spirit on the inside.  Evening devotions talked about our relationship with God.  This brought a lot of questions including "How do we listen for God's voice" and "Is it bad if you don't bow your head, close your eyes, and kneel when you pray?"  These and more questions were answered by Mr. E (dad).  I can't wait to see how close the team comes to one another.  Talk to you soon!  Bye for now! 

Mik

June 10th

Hey everybody!  It's me, Hannah and today was great.  Here's a trick from our devotions this morning:

1.  choose a number - any number

2.  double it

3.  add 12 to that number

4.  divide your number by 2, then subtract your original number

5.  now add one

What answer did you get?  It's seven.  The answer will always be seven.  The connection with the Bible is that you can do almost the same thing with God's commands.  But you don't have to remember five steps, just one: 

1.  love others

That's all!  The right thing is always the loving thing (Romans 13:8). 

During the day we finished canvassing.  Then we went and had some fun at Ahoy Fountain, a nostalgic 50's soda fountain.

Finally, our evening devotions touched all of us.  We watched two videos.  The first were pictures from space.  It shows how small we are while God is so big and powerful.  But God still cares for each of us.  The second video was about how we shouldn't lead a "normal" life.  We need to take time out of our busy lives to think and look at the beautiful creation around you.

I miss you all.  See you later.  God bless.

Hannah

June 12th

Friday was a great day!  First I went on a jog for a while with a couple friends.  Then I ate breakfast.  After that something amazing happened, we got our first warm shower in the community bathrooms!  Praise God!  We had the opportunity to visit Faith Baptist Bible College.  As part of our "reward day," we ate at a special place and went bowling.  That was really fun because we did that last year and it was like replaying exactly what happened last year.  This day was fun because it brought back many memories from a long time ago on last year's mission trip.

Nathan

June 13th

Saturday was a great day.  It started out with being able to sleep in.  We cleaned the church (vacuuming, cleaning windows, bathrooms, and window sills).  For the rest of the day, we were at Foster park on the Iowa River in Iowa Falls.  We played "lava monster" on the playground there.  It was hilariously fun!  We cooked hotdogs over a fire.  They were delicious.  Then we played ultimate frisbee.  That night, the guys and girls were in different places (we got our own rooms!).  In devotions, we learned that our significance dulls in comparison to God's importance which is equal to 2/5ths of a second in a movie. 

Jake

June 16th

Today we got up early to go to the showers.  After that, we came and got ready for VBS. 

Today VBS went well.  The kids participated in the songs and were more open to us.  After VBS, we went to grandma and grandpa's house to celebrate Mr. and Mrs. E's anniversary.

In devos I learned to not be lukewarm Christian (doing bare minimum) and to actually participate in the church.

Jameson

June 17th -19th

VBS was a great start to our summer!  It was fun to be doing God's work with close friends.  We were really able to grow in our faith and help others grow as well.