This morning I went to the church early to pray with the team that is on their way to New Orleans. I am not going this year because I wasn't sure how my shoulder would turn out. I am looking forward to our Mexico mission trip in February. Short term mission trips are a great way to spend a family vacation or school break. Over the years I have loved getting to know those that make up the team as well as knowing that I am making a difference for the kingdom. Some mission trips cost more than others but are so worth it. Some years we go to Christian Encounter Ranch for a day and there isn't any cost.
My first mission trip was back in 1973. I bought a plane ticket for France and spent a month near Aix-en-Provence helping to build a Christian conference center. I joined about 8 other young men from 5 different countries digging mud and setting forms for the foundation. They gave us room and board. I took all the money I had left over after buying the plane ticket (I think it was only $10 but it might have been $20). I remember coming home with $5 and I didn't have a credit card. I am not sure how I managed a month in France spending what we spend now on a cup of coffee. I did have other motives...something about a wonderful young lady named Debby that was going to college just 15 km from the place I was working
I imagine that there will be a day that I will retire and have lots of opportunities to go on mission trips.
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