All It Takes is a Called, Willing Heart

Recently, our church organized and supported a “mission trip” that very few of us knew anything about. Some mission trips require a called, willing heart plus hours of preparation and hundreds of dollars. Other mission trips, however, require only a called, willing heart and a couple of phone calls.

Stacy D. recently experienced a mission trip of the latter type. She spent a week of her vacation time from work to serve at Forest Avenue Women’s Shelter. The trip didn’t require a passport, airline tickets, or immunizations.  I followed up with her after her week to hear about how it went…

Q. What circumstances led you to volunteer at Forest Avenue?

I have to fill out my vacation request in March for the year. I’ve been volunteering for our Vacation Bible School for the past three years. That far out, I guessed VBS would be the first week of June. Wrong! Now, I had a week off work that I had been planning on doing God’s work, and no work to do! I called Jimmy and he set some things in motion for me to choose from. I had been thinking of Forest Avenue several times, so when he mentioned that, I knew where I was supposed to go!

Q. What type of activities did you do there?

I helped sort donated food and put it away. They had moved their food pantry to the basement, so I helped by sorting and organizing the soups and vegetables. Now they can accurately see how much of each they have. I did some laundry – towels, sheets, and bedspreads – and started organizing their linen closet. I also organized a closet full of Bibles and other Christian literature.

Q. Can you tell about an event that impacted you greatly?

I wasn’t expecting a group of teenagers to be volunteering also. Two different youth groups – probably 75 kids total – were at Forest Avenue while I was there. One group from Texas was a choir. They would volunteer until a certain time, get cleaned up, and then go sing a concert each day! It was very encouraging to see so many teenagers doing for others.

Q. How were you changed by serving at Forest Avenue?

I got to see more of their facility, hear about how things work, and get a better idea of the items they need for donations. For instance, they have a very limited supply of washcloths, so now I can donate more specifically to their needs. I enjoyed helping out. I thought a lot about how blessed I am, and that I should take more time to help others.

Q. Is there anything else from your week that you’d like to share with our church family?

Anyone can be helpful to them at Forest Avenue. I am certainly not “trained” in a certain field and there were plenty of things that I could do. It will be more of a blessing than you would ever dream!

Thank you, Stacy, for your willingness to give of your time and effort to serve at Forest Avenue. If you are sensing the Spirit's call to serve God on a short term mission experience, please talk to Jimmy Woodall. He is always ready to help a called, willing heart.

Stories from Mission Trip to Haiti

In January, a group from LJBC, together with some from Red Bridge Baptist Church, visited the Haiti Home of Home. Kathi Woodall blogged on her personal blog of the time they were there. Below is a compilation of each of her stories.  Feel free to browse through them, each article will open in a new window so you won't lose your place...

Heart Vision in Haiti 
My expectation of the sights of Port-au-Prince and Haiti in general seemed inconsequential compared to the stories experienced travelers kept telling me before my arrival. I've stepped over bodies in the streets of Hell's Kitchen, New York. I've stood in the gas chambers of Dachau concentration camp. I've cleaned out hovels of the homeless that defy understanding. So as I heard tell of the conditions in Haiti, I kept thinking...click here to read more

Thank You Too Much

"One of them when he saw he was healed came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus feet and thanked him" (Luke 17:15-16). I have been reminded several times today of the power of a grateful heart...click here to read more

 

Blessing

I'm convinced God doesn't want to just meet our needs, just barely get by. He wants to bless us from the depths of His infinite riches. Yet another odd lesson to ponder in one of the poorest countries on earth...click here to read more

 

Divine Inconvenience

We arrived in Haiti around 9:00am this past Tuesday; none of our group's checked luggage, however, did. After some searching on the computer, a lady at the airport told us all of our bags should be on the next flight, arriving around 12:00. OK, well, it's not the best situation, but we settled in, sitting on the baggage claim for a long wait. Our wait caused us to miss our mission flight into the mountains...click here to read more

 

And a Little Child Shall Lead Them

This morning in Haiti we attended a Haitian church. Everyone got dressed in their Sunday best and waited to make the half-mile walk to the church.  Mommy's foot was injured so her and Poppy rode the four-wheeler to church. Poppy told us we could go ahead and leave, they would be driving separately.

Uh, excuse me?  You want us to take off walking through the streets of a third world village, having no idea where we are going or how to get there?...click here to read more

 

Cleaning Off the Dirt

On Sunday of my time here in Haiti, a few of us visited the home of one of the families who come to the milk clinic at the orphanage. Amy is a newborn whose mother died in childbirth. Her aunt and grandfather have been walking eight miles to bring her to the milk clinic to receive clothing and infant formula. The precious baby weighs less than five pounds...click here to read more

 

Getting the Work Done

Although I’m home from Haiti now, I am still thinking about my trip.  I’ve known Jennifer, or Mommy as she’s called at the orphanage, for years but this was my first time to go visit her there in Haiti.  I’ve heard her stories and imagined her conditions for years, all the while trying to fathom how she is able to do what she does.  In recent conversations and especially while observing her on the trip, I figured it out. In the answer are some lessons for us all...click here to read more

 

 

Another Chance to get it Right

Alisa, a house resident, wrote the following on the Rivera House Facebook page.  The Rivera House is part of the ministry of Mark and Dana West, missionaries we support in Nashville, TN. I was touched by her words and asked permission to share them with you…

I wanted to share with you some personal thoughts and feelings that myself and Penni have been sharing with each other.  A lot has been going on with us lately, changes are going on around us, and in us every day.  We are very excited about the fact that we are working hard to step into leadership roles in the Theotherapy world.  Theotherapy has become one of the very most important things in our lives, to see ourselves changing, growing and healing has been a little overwhelming sometimes...but not in a bad way at all!  You see...Penni and I are used to moving backwards.  We are familiar with drug addiction, unhealthy relationships, low self esteem, anger, self hatred, fear...lots and lots of fear....and the feeling of being alone.  So to see our lives turning around, to be able to enjoy our lives clean and sober, to see relationships being restored, to be able to love ourselves...and you....well...it takes our breath sometimes!  We are like little girls on Christmas morning a lot of the time. It is so hard to put into words what we are feeling, what we sit and talk about. The fact that it is going on with both of us at the same time makes all of this that more special and amazing. We realize too that this also is a gift from God.  Penni and I have become the very best of friends and to have a true and loving friend to share all of this with has been an unexpected blessing...for both of us.  We are so excited about the new feelings we are experiencing, we are not in the least confused about where and Who this comes from. We see and feel every day the love that God has for us...I am 40 yrs old and have never "felt" this.  I knew in my head that He loved me, because people told me He did...and I believed it, but to "feel" it…that is brand new for the both of us.  It bounces around inside of us and we have contemplated shouting it from the roof of the Rivera House!!!  We know that none of what is going on now is an accident.  It is by design, from a loving and gracious Heavenly Father that we are here in a place where we are able to get rid of the hurt and pain that has held us prisoner for so long, so that He might be able to start filling those empty places with love, hope, joy, peace and so much more that I can't even put a name to.  Dr. Mario Rivera has said that the only necessary ingredient for healing is unconditional love, we were designed for that, and have spent our entire lives searching for it...but we have been looking in the wrong places...until now!!  We have found it!! We are soaking it up, grabbing at it with both hands, and God does not disappoint. I thank Him for all that He has given me and all that He wants for me...and I thank him for Penni and all of the loving people He has placed in my life...and I thank Him for another chance to get it right...to do right.  ....Alisa

God's Already Working in the Haiti Trip

Four LJBC members will be leaving in January to help minister at the Haiti Home of Hope orphanage run by Bill and Jennifer Campbell. In these weeks building up to the trip, we have been blessed to see God already working as we prepare for the trip. Here are two stories where He has made Himself known.


Although finances are tight for all, the Barnett family in particular wondered where the money would come from to pay for the trip. Their concern was doubled as they have two family members going. Despite their reservations, they felt led to join the group. As soon as they committed by faith to go, Mr. Barnett started being allowed to work overtime at his job. They used the extra pay towards the trip until both sets of fees were fully paid. Interestingly, as soon as the necessary amount was reached, he was no longer given any overtime by his employer.

Deborah and I are the other two LJBC members participating in the trip. Awhile back I mentioned to Deborah that all of the women going are capable in design and organization. She joked, “Should we do an Extreme Makeover: Home of Hope Edition?” No more was said of our idea then or in the weeks to come.

Meanwhile, Jennifer was home in the states. While here, she attended a Celebrating Home party. She purchased a small piece of artwork; although she kept it to herself, in her mind she decided it would be the inspiration to decorate her room at the orphanage.

Fast forward a few weeks. Jennifer, Deborah, and I met for lunch to discuss our activities for the upcoming trip. We discussed the usual: games with the kids, craft projects, home visits, etc. I sensed I needed to keep pushing and then Jennifer shared, “Well, there is one thing but I hate to ask.” We encouraged her to go ahead. She continued, “Bill and I had a horrible wall color the ten years we lived in Kansas City. We moved to the orphanage and our room is the same color as our room in Kansas City had been. For twenty years of marriage, we have had the same awful color. I decided while I was here that I want to make our room nice as it is the only place we have that is for just the two of us.” Deborah and I jumped at this opportunity. Before long we had a new wall color picked, bedding purchased within a few days, and more still in the works.

Now some may be thinking, “Really? They’re going to decorate a room?” Let me explain this isn’t a case of extravagance. For ten years they have lived with no closet or storage for their clothing of any kind. Nothing decorates their walls except ugly paint. No coverings adorn their window and not even a lamp sits by their bed. Every waking hour of every day they are in Haiti is dedicated to taking care of the children. As I told Jimmy and others about our lunch conversation, I was blessed to the point of tears that not only was God desiring to bless Bill and Jennifer in this way but He had chosen our group through which to bless them.

These two events reveal God is working through this trip. I’m confident of speaking on behalf of all of us going when I say that we are looking forward to being part of what God has planned through this short-term mission experience. Stay tuned…more to come in the weeks ahead!

Thank You for 2010

A couple months ago Pastor Jerry presented an urgent request to the congregation. One of our missionaries was experiencing extreme financial difficulties and, out of love and commitment to serve our missionaries, we wanted to make our congregation aware of this need. As usual, our church stepped forward with generosity, love, and compassion. We received a note of gratitude from our missionary, and while maintaining the privacy of our friend, I want to share that note with you, our church family.

“Dear Brothers,
      I just wanted to drop you a note and let you know how very much we appreciate your generosity to [my wife] and I regarding our [financial problem.] Things have been especially difficult at the church, as you know. Your gift helped to pay a large amount of that needed bill.
      We appreciate your prayers and support more than you know. Please continue to keep our family and the church…in your prayers. You are in our prayers, as well. I pray that God will richly bless you and your families as you continue to follow His leading.

With much appreciation and In His service,”

This missionary has encountered even more problems in the weeks since this letter was written. Indeed, our missionary team around the world has been facing new hurdles and obstacles in their respective ministries. They have followed God wholeheartedly but God never promises that will be easy, and they still struggle with the effects of diseases, crime, war, economic downturns, and natural disasters. However, in the midst of the trials, as we draw nearer to the return of Christ, they are fighting their battles with stronger faith, trust and obedience.

Supporting a missionary goes beyond the financial gifts and includes prayer and encouragement. (For ways to contact members of our mission team, please contact Kathi Woodall.) With that said, in 2010 our church was able to meet many needs for our missionaries.

Budgeted funds were set aside for missionaries serving in:

• Eastern Kansas & Western Missouri, Inner Kansas City, Tennessee
• Togo, Mexico, Kenya, Haiti
• Domestic and international Southern Baptist missions

Beyond that, Faith Promise gifts provided:

• Monthly support for the Quiroz family in Spain
• Clothing and household items for the Inman family while they are home on furlough
• Additional monthly support plus funds towards a car for Joseph Akakpo
• Shipping for clothing and shoes for children at the Haiti Home of Hope
• Manuals for the Theotherapy prison ministry in Nashville

The Women’s Ministry reached out by:

• Making and shipping blankets for the Haiti Home of Hope
• Mailing a gift card and personalized pillowcase for each woman who enters the Rivera Transition Home for Women in Nashville
• Donating finances for manuals for the Theotherapy prison ministry in Nashville

Thank you so much to all of our church body who made all of this possible in 2010. The missions’ committee is excited as we look forward into 2011. Through trust and obedience, we are seeking new areas where God desires us to reach out to a world desperately in need of a Savior.

Teamwork!

The Women's Ministry at LJBC has teamed up with the Missions Committee and Mark West, Program Director for the Theotherapy Project and the Rivera Homes in Nashville, TN, for an exciting new project.  As women transition from the Tennessee correctional facilities back into society, they are in need of many basic clothing and toiletry items.  The goal of the LJBC Women's Ministry is to send each new woman a personal note, a gift card for Target or Wal-Mart, and a personalized, embroidered pillowcase as she enters one of the Rivera Transition Homes.

Beyond providing for a few of their physical needs, the Women's Ministry is hoping to touch the hearts of the women on a spiritual level with the message that they are created unique and are precious to God.  For women who have known a life of rejection, abuse, and violence, an unexpected message of hope and a personalized gift might be something they have rarely, if ever, experienced before.

A special thanks goes out to the Womens' Ministry at LJBC!

Fun & Fellowship

Lone Jack Baptist Church had the pleasure of having the Michael Busenitz family in town for the weekend of June 19-22.  On Saturday night, church members and the Busenitz family had fun at the Woodall home chowing down on burgers and hot dogs while the kids (and Tom Cornwell) jumped on the trampoline.  The kids also had fun taking turns at driving Jimmy's tractor in laps around the yard.

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On Sunday morning, Michael shared with the older children and the adults about the work they are doing in Mexico. The drug wars have caused them many setbacks but God is more powerful than any drug cartel, and His work is continuing.

Finally, Michael shared during the worship service and then had a great time visiting with many people afterwards.