This past week I led a group of teenagers and adults to Victory Mountain Grace Brethren Chapel. The church is located outside of Hyden, KY which happens to be the #1 county for drug abuse in the entire state of KY. This area has seen the EPA shut down most of the coal mines which was the predominant job. Jobs are few, people are hurting, and hope is low.
The goal of our group was to be a blessing and to instill hope within the people of this area. We would pick up children and teenagers in 15 passenger vans and transport them to the church to love on them and share with them the good news of Jesus every evening.
During one of our van rides a teenager, named Brandon, leaned over and told me that he had a picture with me and some of our other teens from last year's mission trip framed on his dresser. This was my holy moment. I got to thinking that in this poverty stricken area in southern KY that there was a picture of me that was bringing hope to a young man. I was humbled and got teary eyed.
Our group goes down once a year to make a difference but yet we get to come back home to a life of comfort compared to what we encountered. Our trip every year is special to the children and teens that we encounter. For them it is like the Super Bowl. It is the highlight of their year. Now that is special, humbling, and motivating!
When you follow Jesus you never know where life will take you. Who would have thought that a picture of me would be sitting in a teen's bedroom in a trailer situated in the hollers of southern KY? The gospel of God needs to shine in the darkest of places.
Here are some other ways in which our group was able to see God work this past week:
1. We saw one of our own teens rededicate her life to Jesus this week. When you go to be a blessing to others you yourself are blessed.
2. All of our teens shared their testimonies of how God has impacted their lives during our evening outreach programming. This helped our team bond and understand each other better.
3. We saw 10-15 children/teens who had no connection with the church come because we walked around their downtown and invited them to come.
4. We saw the church triple their church attendance on Sunday morning with our group and visitors that we had invited.
5. Our adults workers were moved and impacted. One of them commented during team time: "I now have a renewed faith in the younger generation." Powerful statement.
6. The pastor and his wife were deeply encouraged. They have given their entire lives to the ministry there in KY. We did many work projects, afternoon outreaches, and an evening children/teen program every day.
7. Lastly, we had 18 children/teens who made commitments to follow Jesus during our evening programming. Wow!
Here is a picture of Brandon, the teen who has a picture hung on his dresser!
Had to get a selfie of us so he could have a new picture to hang up!
A picture of our teens with some of the children/teens who made decisions for Jesus this past week!
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