And we’re back!
Another successful CSF mission trip is in the books! The previous blog gave some basic information about our trip. I am here to fill you in on the nitty-gritty details.
As was stated beforehand, we stayed with CCF in Rolla, MO Saturday, Match 8th. It was really cool getting to know some of the people staying at their campus house and both the guys and girls had some awesome, meaningful conversations with people. We went to Greentree Christian Church Sunday morning with some of the members of CCF, then packed up and finished our journey, stopping at Church of the Harvest, our lodgings for the week.
Throughout the week, we worked with Serve Moore, whose focus is to help rebuild and renew the community. We were one of many groups tasked with fulfilling whatever work orders came in from the community. We specifically were working on a shed for most of the week, building from bottom to top. You can check out a blog post from Serve Moore about the work we, and others, did here. (keep an eye out for CSFers in the pictures!) Since we only were at the one site for the entire week, it was a great opportunity to meet with the homeowner, Robin, and just get to know her family and their story. By the end of the week, we were all joking around and adding each other on Facebook!
That’s what these trips are about, at least, for me. We had the opportunity to really get connected with a family and show them genuine love. To me, mission trips are less about the actual work being done and more about making connections, not only with the people we work for but between each other. I saw what were originally "hey, I know you" relationships develop into deep friendships. I saw a family who was turned away from Christ be encouraged by eight CSFers. I saw a sense of completion and comfort enter Robin as she saw the finished shed, knowing that her house was finally finished after the devastation. I saw this, and so much more, on this trip and I am truly grateful for being given the opportunity to go on it. Thank you for everyone who made this trip possible, whether it was from monetary donations, prayers or a well-wish. Because of you guys encouraging us, we were able to encourage others.
Thank you all for what you have done and continue to do.
Ryan