More on New Orleans

Last night the New Orleans Missions Trip gave their official report to our church body. So many people contributed to the evening. Several led singing, a couple helped with sound and tech stuff, and others shared about their experiences in New Orleans. Of those around the area (at least one has already left for college), we had 100 percent participation. The church body came out en masse to support their missionaries. From the 12 minute PowerPoint (150 pictures!) to the heartfelt statements about life-change I relived many of the highlights.

I am glad that the lessons learned brought emotions, but were not controlled by emotions. Maybe that's the heart of this post. I heard students talk about emotional highlights and the way their heart was moved. And I alos heard a ton of talk about how God is using trips like this to guide and direct our students in His service. So here are a couple of summary statements:

• Start serving! By beginning to serve you develop a servant's heart. Did you ever think that it worked the other way ("Once I get a servant's heart I will start to serve")? It doesn't. So many times God uses our experiences to encourage us toward deeper obedience. It's NOT our behavior that determines what we believe, I don't believe that. But I do believe that working hard toward common goals with God's people is a privilege that is (generally) self-sustaining. It is so rewarding to give!
• Serve in areas that you are uncomfortable in. I can't tell you how many people I have met that have basically relegated themselves to do only the tasks that tend to fall within their areas of "giftedness." I know that's how God has generally put the church together, but can you imagine how many monumental tasks would have NEVER been completed if the person who did them opted out because they didn't feel it was their "area"? Moses almost messed things up, Paul, I could go on and on. So embrace the fun of serving. Serve wherever there is a need. You may find out where you are NOT gifted, but you may find an additional gift or passion that lies submerged beneath your surface.
• Don't consider a foreign "Missions" trip unless you are engaged in the mission here and now. It kills me that so many people will display a heart of service in Ethiopia (or wherever) but they would not dream of serving their mom or wife or neighbor. If you aren't serving in your private life, don't fake it in the public eye. I'm not saying, "Don't ever go." I am saying, "Start serving now in your local church and then sign-up later for the big trip." The mission is not a "foreign field" mission, it's global. And if you live on the globe, your neck of the woods is the field.
• It's not what you do, it's who you are. That's my favorite lesson learned. Some people asked me, "What did you get done?" I don't know, we pulled weeds, we deconstrcuted walls, we moved stuff and we played with kids. I am amazed by the narratives that tell us about what Jesus did while He was here on the earth. He was unwilling to do anything that wasn't part of His purpose (He came to seek and to save that which was lost). But along the way he attended weddings, ate with tax collectors, showed compassion on people and connected with children. He didn't do one act of organization that produced a life-changing organization. He produced a shift in the way people should think about their lives. The Spirit has produced the organism, the Church. I'm not saying, "Don't accomplish something," I am saying, "Love compassionately while you accomplish things." "Be," not just "do."

Check out our trip Blog here.

I thank my God for His grace in allowing Nikki and me to lead this trip with the other adults. What a privilege to serve our Lord like this!