Rock Island BIC
A Note From the Pastor of Rock Island BIC
How can one summarize any mission trip experience with a group of like-minded believers? How can one truly paint the deeper picture of the experience as the Holy Spirit had His way in each of our individual hearts?You see, ULTIMATELY, mission trip experiences are about changing those on the team as they engage with the Lord in a way apart from what some may call a "normal" church experience. Team members left their homes, pets, gardens and family members in trusted hands and entered into a cocoon-like atmosphere where the Lord could metamorphose each of us just a little bit more into the likeness of His Son Jesus.
I saw an individual whose heart struggled with the truth that we were the only work team this summer going to the mission when SO MUCH labor is needed to upgrade the mission.
I saw an individual who tirelessly poured herself into the meals end of things, and along with some other selfless ladies, made sure we had three square meals and lots of coffee!
I saw an individual broken to the point where she is leaving the past behind and has chosen to move forward in the victory of Jesus Christ.
I saw a couple of individuals who, despite some deeper, most often unspoken physical pain, kept plowing on and smiling all the way. Paraphrasing one individual: She said that all of her pain and soreness was worth it for the glory and honor of the Lord in His service.
I saw another individual broken at the poverty and neediness of the people.
I saw a couple of women of profound humble, quiet strength picking up the workload wherever she was needed; thus, helping to bear the burdens of us all.
I saw the youngest of our team never really complaining as he unselfishly worked hard to scrape, scrape, scrape and paint low, paint low, paint low!
I saw the oldest of our team working circles around some of us as he tirelessly climbed ladder after ladder.
Though not a part of the Rock Island family, I saw a woman as a sister in Christ blend right in with the grace and joy of the Lord.
I saw someone cry for the first time as a powerful devotional moved him to tears.
I saw another individual describe her experience as being overwhelming as she witnessed the power of the Holy Spirit moving.
Even though some of them were a bit anxious, I saw eight amazing women step up to the challenge of leading other women in prayer and blessing at the women’s retreat. Though some of them may have looked at me cross-eyed and said inside, "What are you thinking!", God enabled them at that moment in the power of the Holy Spirit.
I saw our speakers at the retreat emboldened and transparent as they shared struggles and wisdom in growing godly families.
I saw our retreat guests broken and transparent with our ladies as they shared their burdens and joys one-on-one.
I saw the powerful example of passing on the faith when I heard a mom and her son reading scripture behind the closed door of their bedroom.
I saw how the Lord brought together a team and blended our various gifts and talents into a cohesive whole for the project we tackled. Just as the apostle Paul wrote that various parts of the body need other parts to make a whole, our collective gifts and talents were necessary to make a “whole.”
I saw individuals who were challenged physically as the project we took on was physically demanding in many ways.
I saw everyone at one time or another working in the desert sun as a team to get what seemed like an overwhelming project done in 3½ short days. It basically only took three days!
I saw no panic when the water dwindled down to nothing Wednesday morning, but some showers were short-lived!
I saw a team enjoying each other when they took time to relax and soak in God’s creation.
I saw grace and mercy extended to those who needed grace and mercy the most from time to time.
I saw the birth and development of a rock project that has scattered the spirit of Rock Island and the Lord from New Mexico to Herington. The project is not over yet!
I saw and experienced deeper theological conversations that refreshed ones soul.
I saw and experienced a powerful worship service as music moved us to uncontrollable tears and as an aging pastor delivered a profound message Sunday morning that none of us will ever forget.
I saw a communion experience together that bonded us even more tightly as brothers and sisters in the Lord Jesus Christ.
I saw and heard such powerful devotional times together after breakfast that fed our souls and challenged us to change.
Then I saw a man deliver a powerful final devotional that summarized our entire experience: We are incapable of doing anything in our own human strength, but if we allow the Lord to lead the way, incredible things can be accomplished in the power of the Spirit.
"Humble thyself in the sight of the Lord . . .”
I am sure that when Thursday morning came and we were packing up to leave, it was a bittersweet time. Yes, in some ways we were anxious to get home and touch base with the familiar. However, in other ways, the mission can grow on a person, and the cocoon we found ourselves in was a time of refreshing, rejuvenation and spiritual growth. For at least some of us, a part of our heart is still lodged at the mission, and we WILL BE BACK!
Truly, I only touched the very tip of the iceberg in these few thoughts about our week together. You will glean a sense of our experience at the mission. However, until one actually engages in such an experience for himself, the picture will be missing some paint.
None of us will be the same.
The next mission trip has been scheduled for 2020, the same calendar week . . . God willing and the creek don’t rise.
Finally, I want to personally thank the team. I told them during our communion time together that each of them challenges me in some way.
Among other things . . .
I am challenged to dig even deeper into God’s Word.
I am challenged to let go of some more things in order to move forward in the Spirit.
I am challenged to examine the blessings in my own life and how those blessings can be used even more to further God's kingdom and to do His work.
Thank you, team, for a most precious experience this past week. I know we are all probably still a bit tired and maybe a bit sore, but we all know it was sure worth it because the fatigue and soreness pales in comparison to the spiritual lessons and growth we experienced individually and as a team. May God truly be glorified in it all!!
Pastor Deb Wiles