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Christmas 2004  On December 27, 2004,
while most Americans were busily shopping at post-Christmas sales or enjoying
vacation time, forty intrepid and committed folks ranging in age from 7 to over
60, flew to Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, to serve. Home Improvement Ministries'
first family missions trip was thus launched, in spite of a severe winter storm
which threatened to ground the whole operation. During our 8-day mission trip, this band of mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters worked side by side and hand in hand with many national Trinidadians who were heartened that their American brothers and sisters would sacrifice time, money, and energy to come alongside their ministry. As a major focus, our team staged two separate 3-day backyard Bible clubs, both of which were well attended by local children. Can you imagine walking through the dirt roads of a rural village, hollering  a
greetting from the roadside to summon the attention of the residents, and
extending to them an invitation for Bible Club at the church that afternoon? In
America, the police would be summoned (or no one would be home), but in Campoo
and St. Helena, it's an effective means for gathering a crowd. How amazed we
were and how thrilling it was to have 25-50 children filter in later that day,
ready to play games, sing songs and hear stories about Jesus, and make a craft!
Each day the crowd grew and the opportunities increased. At week's end, four
children prayed to receive Christ. Fond farewells were exchanged with our new
friends and family members, and we left changed.
Additionally, we visited several orphanages, including one specifically for children with AIDS. Though our schedule allowed only a two-hour visit with these "forgotten" children, we bonded quickly and leaving them  was very hard. One little boy, who attached himself as
if with super glue to one of our male adult team members, clung to his new big
friend when departure began and begged him not to go or to take him with him.
The "big man" knelt down in front of his little friend and explained that he
had to leave, but that Jesus would be with him. Praying for the little guy, our
team member could feel the distress and tension leave his charge, who upon
hearing "Amen" said good-bye and ran off to play with his fellow orphans. Hope
in Jesus was the best gift we could give those children, who, though rejected
by this world, are precious in His sight. More change happened in
us.A "mini-sized" family camp was held each night at the missionary compound in St. Helena. Families came together for worship, family building activities, and teaching on family life. We were amazed to hear that Trinidadian marriages and families are challenged in many ways common to American families. It only reinforced that scripture holds the keys for family life wherever that family happens to live in the world. From the youngest team member to the oldest, God both  used and met us. Making such a trip is a
huge expense and an immense amount of work. We asked our Trinidadian partners
if they'd rather have money than us; after all, making such a trip isn't cheap.
They keep assuring us that our physical presence means more to them than we'll
ever know, and so we’re committed to continue going. Perhaps the strongest
statement that our team made this year was through our cohesiveness as a team.
The unity we experienced and demonstrated was surely a reflection of the grace
of God in our lives and of our focus on something much bigger than ourselves.
Mission trips help us get outside of ourselves, serve, and get a glimpse of the
global heart of God.In the words of one of our young team members, "I cannot honestly say that I have had a more magical week than the time shared with the team in Trinidad. I am so excited to use all the wonderful things I have learned back home. I am so blessed to have had the chance to be around so many God-loving people. I've learned so much about how much God is needed and how blessed I am to know Him. Thank you for this life-changing week." A teen-aged member of the team wrote, "A mission trip can be  a life-changing experience. Not only for those who are
being ministered to, but for the missionaries who travel to the area of need. I
realized that after traveling to Trinidad, my life will never be the same. I
was blessed to get to know so many kids and their families on a deeper level as
we shared our love for the Lord."Join us in thanking God for His faithfulness and goodness shown to us during this wonderful adventure. Please pray for the continuing work of Trinidad-Tobago Urban Ministries. |