A few weeks ago, our church took 32 people on a family mission trip to Bogalusa, Louisiana. Our ages ranged from retired to my daughter of 16 months. Before going, I was asked why we were going to Louisiana when there was much work to be done here. And yes, there is much work to be done from Hurricane Rita. And yes, we in the church have and will continue to help. However, before Hurricane Katrina or Rita hit, we had planned to go on a mission trip to eastern Kentucky. Once Katrina hit (before Rita) we diverted and made plans to go to Louisiana. So we went!
I am reminded of the scripture from Matthew 25:31-46 where Jesus discusses who will enter into heaven. In this scripture, Jesus says people will be divided into two categories, sheep or goats. Jesus says, “Where did we see you Lord?” “ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” Mission work is important and while it alone will not save your soul, it is an outward sign of the inner manifestation of Christ in your life.
That is the point of mission work, stewardship, and really most things of which Christ commanded. Do things for others because the kind of heart Christ wants us to have is one of giving. You see, mission work can be done “down the street”, but it is also important at times to get people out of their comfort zone, away from ringing phones (especially cell phones), television, and the bustle of daily life. You can talk about helping someone or send a check, but on a mission trip you put yourself into a time and place where you commit to being in relationship with those individuals in their difficult circumstances. There is a change, the Holy Spirit blows upon both the helper and the one being helped. It is an act of service and yet it is a blessing to serve and humbling for those who are being served. We went to a new place to meet God. That new place for our people was in Bogalusa, a city hit by the high winds of Hurricane Katrina. Thanks to some skilled workers to whom I am indebted, we installed new sheetrock on ceilings and walls, lifted a sagging floor, scraped and repainted, sorted clothes at the Salvation Army, cut trees, and got to know many new brothers and sisters in Christ. The work was… work, hot and sweaty in the Louisiana summer heat, but I don’ think that the heat will be remembered. I think that no one will ever forget the people and personalities that we discovered there. The people we served were wonderful people who were suffering through a difficult situation. We went to Bogalusa to meet Jesus… and He was HOME!
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