Final Reflections -- Part Two

The team continues to share their final thoughts. One of the posts is a little long, but it tells a great story. Take time to read all of it!

There are still more insights to come after this. Stay tuned, the stroytelling continues!

Jesse –

"My trip this year started with some extra baggage. First, there was so much at work and some businesses had to wait 'til I came back and as I was walking out to go get the van they were still trying to get me to do some task. I was being pulled so many directions by this. Also to add to the mix was what the Presbytery had done to balance the budget. This weighed heavy on my heart.

"As we started to mesh as one team all those feelings went away and I was able to concentrate on the task at hand. The people of Ankeny opened their hearts and made us feel at home. I could not believe that people were actual living by the river and so many people were hungry. The meals that Hope Café provides are such blessings. Riding on the Salvation Army Canteen was also another blessing.

"There were a few speed bumps dealing with Habitat and The Children’s Center. I had to

keep reminding myself that even if were just cleaning, it was still part of God’s big plan. This was truly a test of faith to not whine and just believe. I will miss the family I made both on the trip and in Ankeny. To not see 31 other people at breakfast, lunch, and dinner is very strange. My life always changes for the better after these trips. Somehow I am more at peace than before I left. The trip was so great that I wanted to get in another van and head off to another site. There is a piece of everyone in my heart and that will go with me where ever I go. I will always feel each one of the team."

Kreig –

"So you ask me what this trip means to me, well this trip meant a lot to me. The only reason why I have gone on these trips was because this man named RRRICK, as I like to call him, begged me to go. I didn't want to go at first because I didn't want to waste 2 weeks of my summer to go on mission trips. That was 3 years ago. And if it wasn't for RRRICK I would've never known about these trips. The main reason why I went on this trip was to help more people. I have enjoyed my past mission trips. But I heard that this will be the last mission trip for RRRICK. And I wanted his last mission trip to be the best one, and the one that he will never forget. So this trip meant a lot not just for me but for RRRICK, and I will never forget him.

"There's only one thing that I brought back from Iowa, and it was the pink candle from our last worship together. This candle was given to all the up coming seniors, and the graduated seniors had maroon candles. And all the graduated seniors blew out their candles and they said,'we are passing the torch to y'all up coming seniors'. What I felt I can't explain. I just know I want this to never end. The work we do and the people we help. I like doing God's work. Now I have one more year for these trips and I will definitely go on my last one. Even though RRRICK won't be there, he will always be mot just in my heart, but in all the other people he touched in his life.Thanks RRRICK for everything. I will never forget you."

Sarah –

"This was my first Mission Trip in three years, and the first in which I participated as an advisor. After experiencing 2 years of college without the ever-refreshing Mission Trip during the summer break to, well- refresh my relationship with God, I came with high expectations. Having gone into situations before with expectations, I should have already known the outcome, but I once again failed to remember that going into something new with expectations is a recipe for disaster. It took until the last night of the trip for me to realize my purpose there. I learned a lot about myself, and made some new friends. It is my hope and prayer that this trip can happen again next summer, and that it will touch the lives of all those who are chosen to participate. Thank you for reading about our thoughts and experiences. I hope that

they have touched you. Thank you again, and God Bless."

Calvin –

"As a graduated senior, this trip was my final high school mission trip with Grace. However, this ending felt more like a promising beginning for my transition to college and my love for ministry and missionary work. I learned to be more accepting of things that were completed and tasks that I was given regardless of how much I completed or actually contributed. I left with God, 4 others, and sorrow about my future. I returned with 31 people, a greater sense of God’s steadfast love, and the ability to understand God’s intentions in my life."

Kody –

"This was my 3'rd consecutive mission trip, and every one of them have been on my birthday. I don't know about you, but hearing the birthday song sung to you every hour on the hour is just a little on the annoying side. But, to be honest with you I can't think of a better way to spend a birthday than on a mission trip doing God's work. All of the mission trips that i have been on have been wonderful. I get so close to God while on these mission trips. They keep my life on track and remind me of how fortunate I am. I'm not going to lie. I didn't think little old Iowa was going to rise to my expectations. At first I was scared that I wasn't going to get as close to God as I did on the previous trips. But this trip was full of surprises.

"On a previous blog during the trip I talked about a couple that we met. 'The friends' were a great inspiration and example of how great Gods love really is. their story truly touched me. I will never forget the day when we met them and they showed us the tent camps where they lived in before accepting Christ Jesus in their lives. The transition from tent to apartment complex within a year's time was truly amazing. I just wish more people who don't believe God makes miracles happen could hear this story. This trip was truly amazing and by far the best ever. Thank you Grace Presbytery, and thank you Rrrick."

Trish –

"Hope and Encouragement, WOW I never thought what those two words REALLY meant until I was lucky enough to be able to go out with 8 or 9 other people at 4:45am and help serve breakfast to many of Des Moines, Iowa's homeless, and also having the wonderful oppurtunity to help one very sweet couple move into their new apartment.

"My first REAL glance at Hope and Encouragement was on a LOVELY afternoon when we all met at Bethel Mission and were introduced to David and Tina. Dave (the man at Bethel) had told us this wonderful story of a Cinderella dream come true for one young lady and her Prince Charming! David and Tina had met years prior to this day and they by chance ran into each other again several months ago. They revived their friendship and fell in love and were wanting to get married. Well, neither of them had the means for a nice wedding, so they were going to go to the JP. They asked Dave if they could have their wedding at the Chapel at Bethel Mission and had asked Dave if he was a minister. Dave replied by saying YES you can have your wedding in the Chapel, but no I am not a minister. Dave thought for a moment and said 'I do have a friend who is a minister and I bet he would be willing to officiate the wedding'. About the same time all this was happening there happened to be a group of volunteers there and they asked if they could be part of the wedding and all parties agreed.

"Tina and David were both wondering what they should wear since neither of them really had anything 'nice enough' to wear for a wedding. SO Dave sent them to the Hope Bargain Store where there had just recently been donated wedding dresses and a BRAND NEW Suit. There was a dress that fit Tina perfectly and a suit that fit David, so NOW they were ready to be married. Suddenly it dawned on Dave that this lovely couple really didn't have anywhere to go to enjoy their first night of wedded bliss. However, once again through the GRACE of GOD there was a donation made for them to have a WONDERFUL night at a nice hotel and a VERY nice dinner.

"After their honeymoon night was over they went back to their tent camp on the river and found their home burned and their clothes ruined. NOW what will they do, they thought. But GOD was not done with them and there came an opportunity for them to move into an apartment. Again, everything came into place and action was taken and now they would get to move into a "REAL" home! As of the day we helped them move in, we were told that at least 3 months of rent were paid in full and both David and Tina had a job waiting for them!! God does amazing things for everyone!! The point of this story was to show how David and Tina received HOPE for the future & ENCOURAGEMENT for them to continue through life and help others as they had been helped!

"My other 'eye opening' experience was the VERY early in the morning Salvation Army Breakfast Truck. We went through the city of Des Moines and helped serve breakfast and pass out food for many of the city's homeless. I realized that this opportunity offered a chance, again, for us to give HOPE & ENCOURAGEMENT to all we had served by giving them a friendly smile, nourishment for them and their families, and a God loves you to help them through their day.

"This year's trip was one of the MOST AMAZING ones I have been on and I am glad that God has helped me realize that this is what I LOVE to do and would LOVE to do it all the time."