Family Mission Trip: Day 2

Today was the first "real" day of our mission trip. We made it to Mission Arlington where Miss Tilly and a group of her staff members gave us our first assignment. We were to go to a local apartment complex and basically have a backyard Bible club for them. We had a guide named Sara, who came with us. She has been interacting with these kids all summer, so they knew her and were ready to come and play. We went door to door and told every apartment that answered that we were from Mission Arlington. I wasn't sure how many kids were going to come, but it was a huge success! We played games, had a Bible story, and were able to share Jesus with them while having fun. They had lunch delivered to them around 11:00, so we helped them make their way to the lunch area and then we went and had lunch on our own.

We had 2 places to choose from for lunch, and we picked Wendy's. We had been outside in the heat all morning, so a Frosty was in order!

After lunch, our next assignment was to visit another apartment complex for another backyard Bible study. We did everything the same as before, but this time we were on our own - no guide. We knocked on several doors, where you could tell they really didn't understand a word we were saying, but they just smiled politely and nodded. I can't even imagine what that must be like. We didn't have as many kids show up to our Bible study, but the kids who did come were precious, and were excited to be there with us. We opened up with songs from our Sunday school years, and they all seemed to love that. Joe taught the Bible study, and he did a really great job. I know I'm biased, but he just has a real knack of being able to communicate with people. He did a wonderful job. :-) After the lesson we all played a game of Simon Says and then we passed out fun worksheets for the kids to color.

At both the morning and afternoon sessions, the kids were so fascinated with our digital cameras. It was so cute to see them gaze at them as if they were seeing and touching something for the very first time. For most of them, I'm sure that was true. Something that our kids are so used to seeing and touching everyday because we are fortunate enough to have them in our home.... Something that we take for granted and toss around.... Something as simple as a camera.... They found so cool and interesting.

The best part about the entire day, for me, was seeing their eyes light up when we talked to them about Jesus. Seeing the big smiles on their faces when we sang songs and praised the Lord. Seeing them hug an adult and cling to them even though they had only met 10 minutes earlier. These kids were so trusting and so open to us. I wonder what they did after we left them. Did they go back inside their apartments and show their parents the papers they had colored? Did they play outside in the heat? Did any of them get to go swimming in the swimming pool? I will always remember each of their sweet faces, and I hope we planted a seed in their lives that will someday lead them to Jesus.

There are 13 pages of pictures here. It was hard not to take so many. James took my camera during the afternoon Bible study and took many of the pictures there. With his help we captured the entire day, so now we can share these precious kids with you too. Thanks James!

After our day with Mission Arlington we finished up with swimming, then dinner at Buck & Loons, and then swimming again. It was a long, busy day, so I fell asleep as soon as I hit the bed, which is why I didn't update my blog until this morning.

We are looking forward to another day of whatever God has in store for us with Mission Arlington. I will update again tonight or maybe tomorrow morning. Stay tuned...