A Family Mission Trip

Just last night we returned from a week in Mexico on our very first "Family Mission Trip". I have to say that this was an incredible experience for every family unit who went on this trip. In regard to my own family, 10 years from now Eric and Emily will not be able to recall what gifts they were given for Christmas in 2005 but they will remember the time that our we loaded up on a bus, took our church's moonwalk and put on a Bible Club in Matamoros Mexico. It was incredibly meaningful participating side by side with my wonderful wife and children in Mexico this past week. This truly was a vacation with an eternal purpose because we were able to make a difference in one church and one community in Matamoros where three people prayed to receive Christ during the movie that we showed last Sunday night and over 100 children came to our Bible Club and learned a little more about who Jesus really is.

I am so thankful that my wife and children had this experience this week in Mexico. I was incredibly proud of my son Eric. Last Sunday, Eric was with a group walking through this neighborhood in Matamoros passing out flyers for the movie we were showing. This little Colonia housed about 1000 families who mostly lived in small shacks for houses. As Eric's team canvassed the neighborhood, a lady walked out of her little shack that her family of 5 called home. Everyone in the group could not help but notice her plywood walls, tin roof, falling down out-house and mis-matched shanty of a home. This place was un-like any place that I know of in Oklahoma City. When the mother of the home saw our group, she came out of her home and warmly greeted the group. My five year old son Eric, was able to look past all the poverty and notice a beautiful tree with beautiful flowers growing on it in this lady's front yard. When the lady began to speak with our interpreter, Eric asked, "How do you say your flowers are beautiful in Spanish?" Elida, our interpreter helped Eric communicate that to this woman. "Flores bonitas." Eric said. The lady smiled and said "Muchas Gracias"

God used this in my life this week to teach me that sometimes I focus so much on difficulty that I miss the beauty that is right in front of me. Here is my 5 year old son standing and facing extreme poverty and he sees pretty flowers on a pretty tree.

I want to be more like Eric.

I have a couple of questions for each person who reads this blog. When was the last time that you went on a vacation and someone gave their life to Jesus Christ? How would an experience like this make a difference in your family?

If I may, let me offer you a brief challenge. Many of you have two or three weeks of vacation at your work. Why not take one of those weeks and experience a family mission trip together? Council Road is going again next Spring Break. Why not make plans to join us with your family.

More families should experience a trip like this together. Just ask any family that went with us to Mexico this last week.