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Mission Trip Reports Trip Reports Home
Tunica MS, US Rural
Youth Group
| Trip Dates: | 6/3/2006 to 6/9/2006 |
| Age Group: | Jr. and Sr. high school students |
| Status: | Completed |
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| Reports for Tunica MS Trip |
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More reports:
5
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6/9/2006
By: Melissa Russell, Project Leader
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Bethany Lutheran Church- Austin, Texas
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Maria--Team Member
I have tried to write about every day so I can post it on the web, but everytime I end up writing 1000 catrillion pages just about that day. I start repeating myself over and over again. I become lost for words...but I do have two words that describe how my trip went...It was amazing and indescribable! There are no words that I could write, no pages that that I could write telling what happened each day. This trip for me was LIFE-CHANGING!
Always remember Psalm 37:4 "Delight your self in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart."
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Wed Journaling
4
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6/8/2006
By: Melissa Russell, Project LEader
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Bethany Lutheran- Austin, Texas
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Cici—Team Member
Ok, well, today I felt was very different than the other days. In fact, we started off waking up at 6:30 instead of 7:30 because the guys came in and sprayed shaving cream on us. It was pretty fun. Then after we all got our excitement out, the leaders had planned to go on an “ATL”(Ask the Lord—prayer activity). So we all piled into the vans and drove to one of the communities near us. We were going to park and walk for 30 minutes but when we parked, all the black kids were like “drawn” to us. Pretty soon we had like 30 or 40 kids all around. I wasn’t there more than half the time because of 7 of us who went on a smaller ATL and that was successful, very successful. When we got back, the kids were having a blast and 2 minutes in, a girl poured water down my back. Then I met up with this 10 year old girl that I had talked to before and I felt really happy to see her. Even though I barely knew her, I felt like I had missed her so much when I was gone, and I was glad to notice her face lit up when she saw me too. She happened to be doing someone’s hair at the time and she asked if she wanted to do mine. I of course said “yes,” thinking I’d probably take it out later but she styled my hair in a way that I totally fell in love with and so did everyone else. She was really happy to hear everyone liked it and I told her she should be a pro hairstylist and I was serious. We later exchanged addresses and she told me to write her. I fell in absolute love with this girl, her name was Charmel, if that’s how you spell it. Then we went to the nursing home and heard people tell their amazing faith stories and had a great time visiting and performing our Passion skit. We all came back and the guys went to prison for ministry while we had Pastor Rodney lead a Bible study and we had wound up having a great discussion about being Pro Life supporters. It was great and apparently the boys had a blast too. I’m still very tired but it’s been a great experience.
Adam—Team Member
The day began like any other day on a mission trip…the guys were wild and having a good time and the girls awoke to their own screams from being covered in layers of shaving cream! After that whole ordeal was finished, we went to an auditorium in the black community to have an ATL (Ask the Lord prayer activity). But we got swamped by the little kids from the community that it was impossible and we ended up ministering tot hem for about 2 hours. But me, Rebekah, Cici, Peter, Maria, Michelle, and Melissa decided to go on our own prayer walk during that time because we were confused as to what the Lord wanted us to do there. For details about this, ask me in person when we get home. But it was amazing. The Lord revealed himself in us. Then I had to ponder the possibility Michelle had put to me that morning. She had told me that I would have the opportunity to give a message or small sermon that evening. I was really nervous. I prayed with some people and by myself a good deal. I felt that I should share Romans 10:9. I had chosen that because it’s my favorite Bible verse, because it’s very reassuring, and I wanted to be comfortable with what I would be sharing. I later found out I would be sharing it during our prison ministry. When the time came for me to speak, I was not nervous in the least. After I finished, Pastor Jude told me that I had given a great sermon and so did many others, but I felt that it was God who had given a great sermon, not me at all. It felt wonderful when while Pastor Jude was asking questions to the prisoners about the main points of the message, most people (I’d say 90%) raised their hands when he asked if any truths had been revealed to them and if they understand they needed to say with their mouths, “Jesus is Lord” and believe in the hearts that God raised him from the dead—they would be saved. Overall, this day was probably the most life-changing day of my life.
Sean—Team Member
Ok…so where to start? (Sean’s youth minister, Michelle, is going to include the ministry story FIRST and then the silly shaving cream incident of 2006)…Going on to the prison…Our male missionaries had the opportunity to go to a prison for ministry…I met a guy named Johnny. He was cool and he gave me a really sweet picture. He said he was in jail for murdering a guy. Here is his story: “So I got in a fight with this guy right? And he wacked me with a pail and then we started shooting each other and he was in the hospital for three months (not Johnny) and then he died. And I was charged with murder…13 years…I have 3 years on paper and 2 years suspended so if I’m good, I’m out in three.”
Here’s the silly shaving cream story now…
So in the 6:30-6:45 area the girls—we attacked! Shaving cream—ALL over their bed, hair, sleeping bag, and clothes, “Run! Run!” yelled the boys and “Get out of here!” yelled Michelle T. So off we went into our own dorms to converse for about 15-20 minutes. We decided to go outside and look for more “prey” so here comes Missy, Abbie, and Cici. So we decided to attack again…1,2,3…go, go go! Yelled boys. Missy looking at us with huge eyes…AHHHH!...there, she was covered…next “prey” was Jenna! Hahahhaha…Run! Yelled all of htge boys…but I did not hear them…Jenna was covered with shaving cream on her head! So it began…out came Holly, red faced, big eyes,.. Sean, come here! NOW…so I came (bad move). She said, “I don’t want to see you do that again, okay? Ok? Ok?” So I said yes and I was sorry…we went went off to breakfast and no more shaving cream…we conversed on the shaving cream war….
Rebekah-Team Member
Today we had every intention to do an ATL (Ask the Lord prayer activity). We went to the Tunica Auditorium (in the black north subs) and as we drove up, about 15-20 kids started running. Whoa! What’s going on? Are they running from us or to us? We got out and the kids meet at the auditorium everyday to get free lunch together. Michelle and Melissa, our AIM leader, called me and four others over to them. They were dead confused. Michelle felt we needed to ask God whether to do the ATL or work with these kids. 7 of us total started praying and in less words we were lead to a dog with an empty stomach. HE symbolized people unable to get to God; they’re in a chain. His name was Freeway…We have a free…way…Then we went back to the kids and had 20 minutes or so to minister to them. I taught one girl all about Jesus and his promises. Next we went to a nursing home and talked and sang with the residents. Then the boys and girls split up. The boys went to a jail and the girls had a talk with a pastor we’ve been meeting with. We talked about aborting and it is 100% totally,, no exceptions, WRONG. Now we’re preparing for some worship and one-on-one time with God.
Peter—Team Member
Wow, God is truly an awesome God. Everything happens for a reason and those are God’s reasons. His ways are not our ways and his thoughts are not our thoughts. We cannot begin to understand God and that is why he is called a mystery. Pastor Lentz talked to us before we left. He said that he doesn’t want a God that he can understand and that would make God like us. Pastor Lentz’s statement I entirely agree with. If I understood God, then I wouldn’t be so enraptured with him. There is so much to say but I think I can let everybody else talk all about God’s wonders. I just had to say this because our plans have changed so much since we started.
Aaron—Team Member
Wednesday night, the men had the privilege of going to an adult prison to minister. We actually connected with a ton of the inmates and had a worship service with them. I met a young man by the name of Jonnie Strickland. He said he had only bee there for about eight months. He had been in a fight with a guy and the other guy his Jonnie with a bar and started firing at him. Jonnie fired back and hit the man and the other guy had to be hospitalized for three months but then he died. Jonnie was charged with murder and sentenced to 25 years, but due to his good behavior and some other circumstances, he brought it down to 13 years. He said he liked to draw so he didn’t get into trouble with the other inmates and he gave Sean a picture he had drawn. Then we went to Sonic and met a sheriff. His name was Sylvester Thomas and he knew one or our worship leaders, Pastor Rodney, and Sylvester was also a pastor. He was very nice and we learned all about handcuffs, mace, and 40 caliber pistol. Overall, Wednesday “got ‘er done!”
Paula-Rhea—Team Member
Today I was really excited about doing the ATL for the first time. We were only supposed to stay for 30 minutes but we decided for about 1 hour and 45 minutes and we got attached to the people. I met quite a few girls and boys. I am jealous of their names because they have very unique, genuine names. We also got to rejoin with Pastor Rodney. He lead us through church on Wednesday. We talked about Jesus and how one of his friends got sick while he was away on a trip. The message got to Jesus in one day and his friend died. When Jesus got there, he was dead. Then Jesus made him reborn. Then we talked about abortion. We thought that it wasn’t right to hurt a child. Because when you abort a child, it’s just like murdering, but inside a Mom’s womb.
Kevin—Team Member
Wednesday has been on of my favorite days. Playing kickball and getting to know the kids. The ones I got the closest to were Popo, Li’l Cook, and Quan. The other kids I got close to were Junior, S___(?), and Rico. When we went to the jail on Wednesday, it was so much fun. I met some new people that shared stuff with me. It was fun when we sang with them and praised.
Jeni—Team Member
Today, Wednesday, we were not doing VBS and we were driving around and we stopped at the Tunica auditorium. All of a sudden all these kids started coming and they wanted to be and talk with us. Oh, and I failed to mention that the boys this morning pulled their prank with shaving cream. Girls in the dorm were angry but we knew it was bound to happen sooner or later. We all had to remember that it was all in good and fun. Again thanks for all the prayers and blessings you have done for us.
Megan—Team Member
Today, Wednesday, I had an amazing time. It was not totally what we had planned but it was great anyway. I got to spend time with unfortunate people and learn from them. One thing I learned is we all our out for a good time. Like Ecclesiastes 11:7 says, “Light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun. However many years a man may life, let him enjoy them all.” I really saw this happening today with t he kids. They were honestly not worrying about anything else but having fun. Thought a few of the kids took a while to get in, everyone ended up participating. Also as far as I could tell, they were all having a great time. Then later in the day, we went to the nursing home. I enjoyed my time there because many of them confronted me about their problems. One guy with the nickname “Junebug” actually shared his faith story with us which really moved me. The reason is did this is because he was so open about his struggles in life. He told all of us how he personally dealt with drugs/alcohol after not having a real family (after his parents died). Also after that I had a conversation with Pastor Jude about something that didn’t really seem meaningful to me. Then he showed me what was the true meaning of it. My day was really exciting and interesting.
Liz—Team Member
Wednesday was totally uplifting in everything we did. The day started out rough when the girls awoke to shaving cream everywhere at 6:30! But once we started going, we got over it. I met so many wonderful children in which we never planned to play with. We played kickball, and “Little Sally Walker.” There was one boy that I will really remember because he wrote, “I love good (meaning God) and good loves me” and “good helps me; I help good” (his spelling for God) which I felt was pretty amazing for a 6 year old to write. Later we went to a nursing home. Most knew about God and enjoyed the skit. There was one man I prayed for with Bruce. His name was Andrew. During that trip, I found out that he had been a pastor for the last 40 years and that’s why he was praying for us. This was an awesome day and I’m glad it happened the way it did. Blessings all.
Megan—Team Member
Wednesday we went to a nursing home in Tunica. There we performed the Passion skit (about Jesus dying and rising) for the elderly. They all enjoyed it very much. Afterwards, people were telling their faith stories, and after some youth did, a man called Junebug went up. He said that basically he had been through pretty much all of the worst things you could do. Some of these were drug dealing, killing people, high speed street racing, friends and parents dying, alcoholic parents, and feeling absent of love and putting different things where that love should be. This love is the love of Christ, and even though it took a while, Junebug sure did find it. He told us to always know God is with us and he loves us. You would think you would be afraid of a man that had done these things, but all I got were good vibes. I think he is a good man and even he did bad things, he turned to Christ and saw that he is what matters most. Junebug told us he had been praying for youth with whom he could share his story with, so that his life would mean something and he would still make a good impact. He told us to spread his story and that is what I’m doing by having you read this and writing this. Feel free to tell others his story because it is what Junebugt wants, and I know it will be a story I will tell a lot of people for a long time.
Rachel—Team Member
Wednesday we woke up to loud boys coming in and hitting us with shaving cream. I wasn’t surprised. Of course Id didn’t get any either. Then we went to the Tunica Auditorium (in the black community in the north subs) for an Ask the Lord prayer activity, but all the kids came and played with us. After an hour and 30 minutes of that, we ate lunch and went off to the nursing home. We did the Passion skit again. We also met a lot of awesome people who had been through tough times. Then the guys went to minister to the people in prison. We, however, stayed to do a Bible study at the dining hall.
Missy—Team Member
Wednesday has been a hard day. First, the boys decided to attack us with shaving cream in our beds! I got attacked again when I went to breakfast. We also set out to do some ministry but actually just played with the kids and showed affection. After we went to a nursing home and talked to them and showed them a skit. When we got back to the dorm, we did some Bible study. Then the boys went to visit a prison and we had Pastor Rodney to talk to us. This mission trip has been eye-opener and I’m so excited to see what God has in store for me tomorrow.
Michelle Turnipseed, Youth Minister
I often spend my time when giving feedback and reflections on the youth. But I think the youth speak for themselves in their entries so I would rather share with you my personal touch of the Lord’s hand on me yesterday, Wednesday. I have the blessing to see God work personally in my life daily, outside of a mission trip like this. I also have the blessing of experiencing mission trips yearly and seeing our youth grow and meet God on retreats, in Bible studies, and in youth group. Today I really saw someone through the eyes of Christ and it came with great ease for me stare intimately at the person’s face, not 12 inches from mine.
When we arrived at the Tunica Nursing Home, the Lord halted my steps just inside the doorway. I fell to my knees and took a hold of his hand and started intently into his face, taking him in. A black man, probably in his 50s or 60s, laid in a wheelchair facing the glass sliding doors, his only connection to the outside. He was nearly in a completely horizontal position with his legs propped in front of him, bound with braces. His arms were also bound. The man was mute, his mouth filled with white mucus build-up from not eating or drinking (a tube feeding him). He moved his head in response to me and I could hear his breathing increasing as his mind desperately told his tongue to speak while his tongue could not act upon the message his brain was sending out to his mouth. His hand gripped mine immediately and I took in the gnarled, long nails of his hands. His hands were weathered and probably not touched enough. I spoke to him of my family, my husband, my son. I told him why we were here in Tunica, to minister to the hurting of a divided community.
I longed to know his name so looked for any clues. I saw two initials on his brace—JM. The Lord placed the name James on my heart and looked intently at him and asked if his name was James. He seemed to attempt to nod and blink his eyes, so I then asked if it was John. He seemed to indicate it was not. I returned to James and again that appeared to be a positive response. I stopped an aid and asked for his name. It was indeed James. I asked if I could pray with him and he said yes. I spoke them to him of his frustration to speak to me and I shared how my son can only say Mama and Dada but he communicates to me through his expressions, his body, how he hugs me, how he reaches for me, how his eyes see into me. And I told him I could also hear him in how he tightened his hand on mine and sunk his eyes into me.
While our team readied for our worship service with the residents, I sought an aid to move James into the meeting room. After the worship service, I spent more time with James and his breathing intensified as he tried to speak to me. He kept looking at his feeding tube and his tongue rapidly was pushing out of his mouth as he longed to speak words. I looked at him and just said, “I know. I know. I know you’re speaking. I hear you.” I leaned in very close to his face and studied his eyes, the stubble on his face, the spittle on his mouth, the weariness in his eyes. I assured him that the Lord has a place in his Kingdom and he would rest with God in Heaven. I asked if he believed Jesus was his Savior; he said yes.
My parting words to him were that I would meet him in Heaven again. It was painful to walk away and this morning. As I write this, I recall words God spoke to me yesterday morning. He asked me to “Bind their souls to Me.” This man was physically bound but I knew he was released to Christ. Like Lazarus’ bandages fell from him, so also this man’s earthly bondage would fall upon his arrival in his Father’s home. I praise God that I met James and for the first time, I really looked at someone who was very hard to look at—and I didn’t desire to look away. And likewise, the Lord never looks away from us. How might we also truly look at people, especially those who truly need to be seen and touched and loved with abandon.
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Tuesday Journaling
3
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6/8/2006
By: Melissa Russell, Project Leader
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Bethany Lutheran- Austin, Texas
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Aaron—Team Member
Monday night the group had a “Moment”. Well, it was actually a ton of moments because it lasted about 3 hours. It was one of those “God things” and I know that if my mom was there, she would certainly be crying. I’ve never been so touched by a group of young adults. We bonded a lot and personally I think that the new theme for the trip should be “Got China?”
I overheard a group of girls talking about how we went beyond Magma & I said that beyond Magma is….china!
We also devised a new objective, for mission, for the mission trip: Breaking Barriers! At the beginning of the trip-our mission team was split into multiple groups. Also, the people of Tunica were split into groups, the black and the white. Throughout the trip, we were focusing on breaking the barriers between our groups & also between the people of Tunica. To me, the greatest growth I experienced was in my wisdom; the prayer I pray for most is wisdom because it is portrayed as precious throughout the Bible. Proverbs 3:13 says “Blessed is the man who finds wisdom.” And Proverbs 8:11 says, “For wisdom is more precious that rubies.” My personal favorite verse pertaining to wisdom is: “If anyone lacks wisdom he should ask God.”
Throughout my life, God has used people; specifically my friend Bradley & our much loved Youth Minister, Michelle Turnipseed to present to me and show me that other people though of me as wise.
P.S. Romans 1:16
Quinton—Team Member
On Saturday, on our way to Tunica, this was the beginning of our mission work. We made lunch bags and gift bags with things from soaps to deodorant. Then we passed them out to everyone in the park we were positioned in. After about an hour and a half, we were back on the road again.
Sunday, June 4th, was even better than Memphis! We went to a black church in the morning. What an experience it was! Wow! It was just like the movies. Later that day we went on a prayer drive and prayed about everything we saw in the black side of town and got to see the sites where our carnivals were going to take place for the next two days.
The carnival started at 8:30 A.M. on Monday. A total of 160 kids came and had a blast! Then we went back to base camp and started to strip the flaky paint off the Women’s Club House. To relax we went to a large pool with maybe a 4ft platform. Finally we had a very moving service and almost every person cried even the boys. Monday was the busiest day so far because of all the events that took place.
The mission trip is very successful at this point. We are sharing God’s word and bonding with each other as well as others. I am definitely growing in my faith and hope to grow more in the future and I pray the same for others around me.
Rebecca—Team Member
Today was a blessing! We got up at 6:45 (an hour later than Monday) and set out for our “carnival” or mini VBS. After the team bonding last night, there was lots of positive energy running through our veins. We got our site and began to rehearse our skit. About 10 minutes into rehearsal, the kids came. We did our skit and my mom had a genius idea. Why not let the kids re-enact our skits? That was a huge success! I think that helped our ministry and got the point across even more. Later we had a giant water fight. We ended up walking back to our dorm, but it brought our team even closer than before.
We went to an orphanage named Palmer Home for Children. We saw the church and then we cleaned up the homes the children live in. We pulled weeds and washed out some dirty buckets used for a crayfish fest. We had a fabulous supper and then went to a Bible study where we went to church. Everyone picked there favorite Bible verse and explained why they loved it. It was great to hear verses and explanations and pretty much everyone shared and lots of us shared multiple verses/feelings.
Sarah—Team Member
Last night was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. The team broke down barriers that were tearing us apart. God used that to make us a very strong team. That discussion really affected the way we ministered to others. We acted more as a team; not as a group of multiple teams. I felt that we got a lot more accomplished than yesterday; not that yesterday wasn’t great, I’m so glad that now we are one.
Megan—Team Member
This trip has not gone as I thought it would. Still I have had an amazing time. I have met so many new children and I helped them grow in their faith. Also I have learned a lot from them. Like when we went to church on Sunday, I learned a whole new way to worship God. I really feel like God is watching over us and speaking to us directly and indirectly. If I have learned this much from the trip so far there is no telling what will be happening the rest of the week.
Adam—Team Member
I’d have to say, so far, the Lord has “got ‘er dun” here in Tunica. He has moved all of us in amazing ways, and we can feel Him working through us. Even if I left Tunica today, I would be able to say that God, our Lord, has changed me immensely. I can’t wait to be home but then again, do I even want to leave? I only pray that everyone at Bethany could experience something like this, some kind of feeling that is beyond any other earthly feeling. It’s the feeling of being in God’s presence.
Ps. Mom, Ryan, Weesie and Amanda, hi!!:)
Sean—Team Member
Pastor Rodney is a really good Pastor and he make most of the boys cry…including me.
We had really touching relationships with the children at the VBS. They are so cute!
Rachel—Team Member
We are doing carnivals for children everyday. We helped out at an orphanage. We went swimming at an Olympic sized pool.
Jeni—Team Member
We had a huge VBS carnival today. There were so many children it was just a blast. After the kids were gone we had to clean up the chalk drawings the children had made. We had a water fight. It was a great time and a great bonding experience. Thanx 4 all the prayers and blessings.
Jenna—Team Member
Wow, my Lord is AWESOME!! How I have really come to realize this is still being comprehended in my mind! The time that I have spent here has been an amazing journey so far. For instance, last night (Monday) was an emotional “journey”. I have probably cried all the tears in my tear ducts and really mean it. Now I know that you’re wondering what exactly went on last night but as I have said early in the writing I’m still trying to comprehend it all. So when and if I ever find out I will most definitely keep you posted.
With all my love
Megan—Team Member
Last night was the bonding that God used to bring us together as a group. He let us realize we should not let Satan get in our way and pull the group apart. Now we all respect and trust one another and we are the team we need to be to help Tunica. We sang praises to God and prayed and listened to Pastor Rodney and affirmed each other. It was very intense as many of us cried (all of us) and we all hugged each other like maniacs. The girls had a big talk about clicks and gossip and we defeated the problems with help from the Lord.
This morning (at the carnival for the kids) I met a little boy named JJ. He is incredible and I had the best time hanging out with him. He learned so much from me and I learned so much from him (even thought he is only 6). You could tell he knew I was different (being white) but he still loved me as much as (or even more!) the he loves other people. I look forward to seeing him on Thursday when that group comes back to see us!
Cici—Team Member
This has been a totally incredible experience. It’s like way different than any retreats or camps I’ve ever been to. My definition of “mission trip” is when a person filled with the Holy Spirit goes out of their comfort zone to meet the needs of others and grow spiritually in their faith not only as themselves but as a team.
I would like to say that the mission trip started in the vans but it didn’t. In fact it didn’t start until Monday night. The trip had been going well, if you looked at the team from the outside, but actually we had two kids, 8th & 7th grades, step-up and address the situation that we had been missing or ignoring. Our team no longer was a team. We had split up into groups, “cliques” and excluded some people. Not only that, but we slandered; we pretty much fed on it. So as we talked about it, we realized our trust had been broken between everyone. That’s where reconciliation comes in. We started building up our trust again and broke down barriers so that we will be a team and family in unity. So Monday night we all came together and addressed it and prayed for hours. It was very spiritual and emotional, everyone cried including the guys. I feel like our relationships and growth will keep growing.
Anyway, I was moved but along with that we have been doing like a carnival thing for kids ages 3 to 15 and doing our skits and its been great waking up at 5:45 in the morning. I myself sleep any chance I get. We have also fed and prayed with the homeless, had a water fight. All in all it’s been a great time and we still have a couple of days to go.
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Sunday June 4th
2
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6/4/2006
By: Melissa Russell, Project Leader
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Bethany Lutheran Church- Austin, Texas
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Wow! What a day to see God has this trip in His sight and that He is moving in small and mighty ways even amongst the team. There have been so many God moments as we have spent the day getting ready for some of the changes that have been made to the schedule since we have arrived here in Tunica. The day started with devotions, and then a debriefing time that focused on "Not Limiting God". We then headed to church to fellowship with our brothers and sisters about 12 miles south of the main part of town. It was an increadible service. One God moment today was that the sermon was about "Not limiting God" through a lesson on the feeding of the 5000. After church we enjoyed lunch and a prayer drive visiting the entire town of Tunica. After dinner we went to the Mississippi River for a time of Worship and Pastor Rodney challenged us to "Use what we have for the Lord." Below are some stories from today from the students:
Rachel Britt – Team Member
Today we went on the black side of Tunica County to go to church. We went to Reverend Rodney’s church. It was a great experience to start off the week. Of course, it was all blacks, but they welcomed us into their church. It was a powerful and soulful service. Amen’s and Hallelujahs were being called out all the time. The choir was very soulful and inspiring. We also learned some new songs! The pastor did a great sermon on the story of Jesus feeding the 5000! He included us in the sermon and was very funny. He also did a great lesson at the same time!
Afterward, we mingled with the people. They wanted to know where we were from and how we liked it here. They were extremely kind to us. I hope we can go back there! It was a lot of fun! Right now I have to go load into the vans, but I’ll try to type some more later! See you around!
Samantha
Today was awesome! We went to a church made up of black people. The worship was cool. They sang a lot. It is amazing how thankful they are for everything. I enjoyed it so much. It was so easy to learn from the message because the pastor was so excited about what he was preaching so I made sure I listened. I can’t wait till tomorrow. It will be so much fun. We are going to have a carnival sort of thing with a group of 160 kids. It will be amazing to see God work. The only thing I’m not looking forward to is waking up at 5:45 in the morning. I’m sure it will be worth it though.
Megan- Team Member
This morning we went to a place that was out of our comfort zone. The mission group went to a church that had all (except for us) black people in it, and there was lots of singing. Everyone had a great time, and everyone felt welcome. All of the people were very kind to us, and welcomed us as Christians. If someone felt moved to say or do something, they went ahead and did it (even if this meant shouting out as loud as possible)! I was very moved to sing along, and I did. I listened very closely to the reverend, and what he had to say was amazing! I am so glad that I got to go to this incredible church, and hear things I otherwise would not have heard that moved me so much in my faith.
After we talked with everyone from the church and I was amazed at their faith and friendliness! I am so blessed to have gotten to go there, and it is an experience that I will never forget!
Rebekah-Team Member
We went to an all black church this morning where there was lots of singing and praise. When they prayed, they seldom asked for anything, but instead praised God for everything he gives us and they were also very thankful that we were there, regardless of our race.
Later we saw the black and poverty side of town. It was amazing to see all the stuff we take for granted, even if it’s a place to lay your head. We also saw the ministry sites for our carnival activities. We prayed about our ministry and then reflected about our day.
The team this year is a blessing and I’m looking forward to all the opportunities God will bless and challenge us with this week.
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Saturday June 3rd Reports
1
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6/4/2006
By: Melissa Russell, Project Leader
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Bethany Lutheran Church- Austin, Texas
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The team arrived today and we met up in Memphis first to do lunch and a little outreach to the homeless just outside of downtown. Then we headed out to Tunica to start our missions trip (Technically the mission trip started 8 to 9 months ago at the first day of training but today was a defining moment in time of the actual first day of the trip). Once arriving at the border of Tunica we went through the Tunica Museum to learn a little about the place that we would be ministering over the next week. Then we moved straight to dinner. After Dinner we had a meeting to talk about the week ahead and focus preparing our hearts to hear from the Lord this week. We ended with some up beat worship with our worship leader, Jude Del Hierro from Denver. Below are a few testimonies of what the students from the trip wrote about the first day of ministry:
Maria—Team Member
Today way the first day of actual ministry. It was a very special day for me, because I got to pray with an interesting man. He had a story that I was very intrigued by. This man told me, that he has a problem with drugs, and then 5 days ago, he had a sign from God, to quite doing drugs, to turn to God to start focusing more on him, and not on the drugs that he was using.
Today was very life changing for me, because I got to get interacted with the man, and talk to him about his challenges that he faced. I got to pray for him, and all of the struggles that he faced. Today, I also got to come close to God because he is helping me to get through all of the struggles that I face in my life at home. He is making me realize what I have, is a lot more than what some people have here in Tunica. It makes me think that I am so… thankful that I have been given the chance to be here, and get away from everything going on in my life.
I am sure God is working in everyone of us youth, and even the leaders to be strong, and we are going to be out of our comfort zone and be able to grow more and more in our faith, because we aren’t in out comfort zone, we will be able to learn more, and experience more than if we were in our zone.
I am very thankful that I am here, and that I have the opportunity to experience that I am going to have on this trip. All of the friendships that I will make, and grow in. And to grow more and more in my faith with God; and realize that he is our number one Savior, and he is all that we need.
Paula Rhea—Team Member
Hello, mommy! You will never guess what we did today! We did some activities such as making some lunches for the homeless peoples. In our whole car ride we went from church (of course), to Little Rock, Arkansas, then to Memphis, Tennessee, and finally, TUNICA, MISSISSIPPI! Like I said earlier, we fed the homeless people in Tunica and talked and prayed to the people to help them or family or even friends.
I miss you a whole bunch. Oh, I also made some new friends. But I really miss you a lot. I know that this was short. But lights are going out, to sleep, I love you, but I’ve really got to go bye-bye! By the way, remember the faith in GOD!
Peter Szalwinski—Team Member
Wow, what an experience. Today was the first day of actual ministry. We went to a park in Memphis. There we made lunches, made toiletriy kits and then gave them out to the homeless who were at the park. After we had made the kits we had gone out as small groups and handed them out. While we were handing them out we met many people. I met a man who told us what has been going on with him. He said that he had given up drugs only five days ago and that he had heard from God to stop doing drugs. We gave him a pin in the shape of a fishing hook and he told us that he is a fisher of men.
We asked if we could pray for him and he said that we could, so right there we prayed, Melissa, Maria and me. After we had prayed he asked if he could pray for us. That is what I found really cool, and awesome.
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Bethany Lutheran, TX (Michelle Turnipseed)
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FREE!
Missions Trip Debrief from
Missions Resources .com
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“50 Questions?”
to ask your student when they get back from
their Short-Term Missions Trip experience...
Every transition in life has its set of challenges,
difficulties, and benefits. Returning home from a mission’s trip is
no exception. Coming home with such a life-changing experience
requires more than the usual “Welcome Back” greeting. Get your
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The Art of Listening Prayer - by Seth Barnes
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This interactive devotional is for the person who isn't satisfied with a dry faith. If you're dying to hear God's voice, the good news is that you can! Jesus is the door, and He has opened it up to you.
Don't Miss Out on Hearing God's Voice!
The Art of Listening Prayer |
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