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

Hey Everyone! So far, our trip has been great. The ride here was really long, but we all had fun singing, laughing, and enjoying each other.  I’m so thankful that God kept us safe the whole way here.  The next day, we did a lot of decorating here at the church and practicing for VBS week. Yesterday, we spent a lot of the day passing out flyers, hanging them in store windows, and putting them on cars. In the evening, we had a Wednesday night church service. After the message, each of the adults there sat with one of us and prayed with us. It was really nice getting to meet some of the people who would be helping us in the next week. I was really encouraged by the prayer time we shared. It was a great feeling knowing that everyone there was praying for you. Every morning and evening, we do devotions as a group. We use a book called Ignite Your Faith and we also have our own books called Start Here that we read and discuss together. Our devotions are all about standing up for your faith and having courage. I’ve been really encouraged by these lessons. God is showing me through these how to stand up and not be afraid, and our devotions give us many examples of other Christians that have done so and the impact their choices have made. I’m really excited for the days to come. I thank God for keeping us all safe and for providing so much for us. Thank you all for praying for us!

Emily

We spent most of the week setting up and preparing for VBS. We set up decorations and went shopping for supplies. Thursday we went to a lodge and had dinner and games with some friends from the church. Friday we went to Mr. E sister’s church and played games. Every day we do devotions and right now we are focusing on how to do hard things as Christian teens.

What I learned so far is that that just because you’re young and people don’t think you’re capable of anything you are still able to find God’s will for you and follow it through. This challenged me to do my best in anything God wants me to do, and look for his will for me. 

Jameson

As of now we are about one week into the VBS missions trip to Iowa. Everything has worked just fine. Nobody fights and there is always a smile on at least one persons face. I know why they are smiling. They can’t help it. When we serve here we smile. The answer is simple we are content with what we are doing and it gives you a warmer feeling in your heart making a smile explode from ear to ear. As for me nothing could be better than spending my summer with people I care about while helping people out. The gift that has been given to us is being passed along to others here in Iowa as we prepare for the VBS program. Other than getting ready for VBS we do other things as well such as daily and evening devotions. These devotions really help you keep focused on what we are really supposed to be doing. Although we have not started this yet we will also be helping repair the damage of the hail storm that hit Iowa last fall. Even more importantly I myself am seeing God work through the individuals here and I believe he is working through me as well.   

Elaina

Hello.  The day we got here and we started with a group devotion I knew that this would be a trip to remember. I so glad all the kids on the VBS team were able to go. The thing I enjoy most is the devotions. The book we’re reading is the second addition to Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris. I learned that you have to start small to dream big or do big thing. My favorite thing that we have done is decorating the whole entire church. Every night we play one game. First game that I liked was Nerf gun war, second game we played was sardines. The showers are not that clean but tolerate able. I do get a little homesick every now and then but it passes because I know the Lord is with me where ever I go. The girls do devotions together every night and we discuss the passage. That helps me really express my faith with my friends. The first night of vacation bible school was on Monday. In all we had 40 kids. I work at the art station so I do get to see every class. I really do enjoy the kids company, and I can’t wait to see the improvements during the rest of the week.

Katie

This week has been amazing! I have had an awesome time with VBS and all of the kids JThis has been an awesome experience for me and I encourage anyone who is thinking about this to NOT hesitate and to come! These past two weeks go by soooo fast but I did learn one thing… no matter what we do we are God’s treasure and he will always come looking for us when we are lost! This trip has helped me grow closer to God in everything… whether it’s the songs, the lessons, the talks…it is an amazing experience. I am praying that I am going to be able to lead a kid to Christ this week, to bring a child closer to God would make this week 1,000 times better than it already is! I am really praying that this experience would help not only me but my friends also.  

Alex 

As we wrap up our two weeks in Eldora, Iowa it is great to see all of the things accomplished in not just my life but also the effects we had on the people around us.  The devotionals we had every morning and night were a great boost to my spiritual life making it easier to do what was needed when VBS week rolled around.  The theme for VBS this year, “SeaQuest: Diving for God’s treasure”, was a great way to connect the kids with God’s word because it excites kids to be looking for treasure even though it’s in God’s word.  Every one of the teens on the VBS team was either paired up with a class, crafts, or games.  The job I was given was to help with the games that the kids played for about 20 minutes and then watch them during their snack time afterwards.  This was really cool because I got to work with and connect with all of the kids unlike the people who taught and helped in a class.  At the end of the week you could see the affect VBS had on all of the kids.  Unlike at the beginning of the week, the kids were jumping around and singing the songs without worrying who was looking, even the oldest kids in 4^th-6^th grade.  This trip has really shown me that if God gives you an opportunity to serve him, and you take it, he will do something great through you.        

Riley

Hi.  So far this trip has been amazing! We all have enjoyed the fun activities and the Bible studies we have twice a day. In our devotions we have been learning about standing up for what we believe in and taking smaller steps to work up to bigger ones. This trip has really strengthened my relationship with God. Even though some days are kind of challenging and tiring, we all help each other and encourage one another. For V.B.S I am a helper for the primaries which are 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd graders. Mia, Emily, and a girl named Samantha are also with me. We enjoy helping them and they love to be around us. The girls have started a group that does devotions every day, and we try to keep it constant. I have to say the devotions/Bible study we do in the morning prepare us for the rest of the day and the ones in the afternoon prepare us for a new day. I have come across a few challenges during the two weeks but God has shown me His light. Even though it has rained a lot over here we still seem to see the sun even in the stormy or cloudier days. The kids enjoy V.B.S and they participate in basically everything. It’s so much fun to see their smiling faces when we do songs, skits, and puppets. I can definitely see God working here. Thank you all for supporting us in your prayers and we can’t wait to see what else God will do later on!

Brittany

It is now Thursday, but it seems as if I’ve been here longer with all the things we have done. We have been quite busy preparing for VBS with decorating, songs, puppets, and skits. Those are the main things we have been doing since Tuesday, but it hasn’t been all work. We often play games at night such as sardines, a form of hide and seek in the dark where when you find the person and hide with them, nerf gun wars, and going to a park. Unfortunately, I’m not very brave, so Mr. E scared me so bad last night. Needless to say, it was hilarious. We are well fed here. We’ve gone out to eat from pizza to Chinese food and also have enjoyed Mrs. E‘s good cooking. Our days are long, but it’s great to stay up every night.

Our devotionals are awesome to say the least. We are reading the devotional book Start Here, a sequel to the amazing book Do Hard Things. It challenges us each day to become bolder and more on fire for Christ. It also makes you feel empowered that you are not the only one who wants to fight and conquer the devil in America once again. It includes stories from other young Christians who have done stands for Christ and have shown their communities God in a whole new way. All in all, the devotional seems to scream “Get going! Now’s the time! It’s D-Day, soldiers, so MARCH!” 

Please continue to pray for us as we go throughout the next week and a half. I hope you all have good health and safety and we’ll see you soon.

Trent

This VBS trip has really showed me a lot about God’s divine power and all he’s done for me in my life. So far it has really opened my eyes to everything around me and showed me how much more I need him in my life.  He has done so much for me in my life and this trip has taught me to really take heed in all he does for me. To spend time with him and give him part of my day. The message of God is being sent out to me and I want to carry that out to the children in this VBS mission. I will work hard this week and give the children my all when it comes to knowing about God. This VBS trip has challenged me to take more responsibility and to really live out the message of Christ. Thank you and I am looking forward to another God filled week. God Bless.

Amanda

So far we have been setting up for VBS. Today is the first day of VBS we will be doing skits, songs, and puppet shows. We decorated the church in the theme of our VBS which was sea life. God has impacted me by the devotions we have had and the church services that we went to. God has also shown me some really cool people within the church. I will have the privilege to work with 1^st 2^nd and 3^rd graders. I get to teach them a lesson with Emily and Brittany but we will be teaching separate days. I’m glad I get to serve God in this way while being with friends and teaching kids. It has been a fun and influential trip so far. KEEP PRAYING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mia

I have learned so much on this mission’s trip. It has really been, lots of fun hanging out with my friends and being able to work on my spiritual weaknesses. We have been able to accomplish so much for this community. But at the same time we have had lots and lots of fun! This mission’s trip has not only showed me a great time as did it to everyone else, but God has helped me so much with my spiritual weaknesses.

One of my spiritual weaknesses has been not keeping up with my devotions. And being here and doing them twice a day has shown me how important they are to a great spiritual life. I kind of thought that if I didn’t do them too much it wouldn’t affect me. But I realized that doing them helps me to relax and focus on what God has done for me.  God has really shown me so much spiritually on this trip. He has shown me not only to do more devotions, but to spend more time talking to him and seeking his guidance.  I have also got a chance to share my spiritual strengths with the group. One of those is working with kids. Today will be the first day I get to work with the kids. It’s going to be lots of fun.  Strength of mine is speaking and a little bit of acting. I got a chance to do that too yesterday it was so much fun!  But this trip was not all serious we had some fun too!

During this past week we have focused on God a lot, which is what you do during a mission’s trip. But let me tell you I have never had so much fun in my life it has been great this past week. We have had nerf gun wars, and also play Sardines in the church when it’s been pitch black! I have had many great laughs and some awesome times I can’t wait to see what’s in store for me next week!

Sean

Hey guys! Well, these past two weeks have flown by. It seems like we just left yesterday and we’ll be leaving for home tomorrow. Although I would like to stay here, I can’t wait to get home and sleep in my own bed.

Almost every day our team did devotions in the morning and somewhat of a Bible study in the evenings. We used a book, Start Here, written by two brothers, Alex and Brett Harris. This is the second book they have written (Do Hard Things) and it greatly impacted our lives. We learned how to get started living for God. They gave tips on how to start making a difference by doing ‘small’ hard things. These ‘small’ things will help prepare you for the bigger tasks you hopefully do for God later in your life. Alex and Brett show that just because we are teenagers does not mean that we have to follow the world’s view of teens. The world views most teens as irresponsible and careless. As Christians, we need to break the stereo type and do hard things for God’s glory.

VBS went very well. On our first day the record for attendance was already broken! God is good! So many were able to hear the Gospel and learn about God. Many of the kids that were here this year have come in the previous years. It was great seeing their faces again. My jobs were to help out in crafts and I was Sushi the octopus for the openings. I had a lot of fun being able to work with the kids again and watching them jump around singing our songs made my day. It was also great to see kids and other adults attending the church as a result of last year’s VBS.

Although we worked hard, we got to enjoy some fun time. I think my favorite activity was going to a farm. We were able to wade in a creek—or as people in Iowa say: crick -- pet some horses, drive right through some cows, and even drive a tractor! Haha There’s something you can’t do in the city! ;) As we rode on the haystack we were able to look at the amazing scenery around us. There was a storm coming, but it brought some amazing clouds with it. Everywhere we looked we were able to see God’s amazing creations unlike in the city where all you see are buildings.

Another activity we did was simply looking at the stars. I heard most of the kids saying “Wow! I’ve never seen so many stars before!” and once again, God’s awesomeness was brought to mind. Everywhere you looked you could see endless stars. There were no lights to get in the way, no buildings, no factory smoke. It was just us and God’s creation.

All in all, it was a good two weeks. I was able to get to know people who I didn’t really know before and became closer to those I already knew. I also grew closer to the God who created me and loves me no matter what. I’m very grateful for everyone who made our trip possible and can’t wait until next year! Start planning!!! ;)

Mikaela