Mission: Rhodell 2014

PREP WORK:
The preparation before a mission trip can be just as critical as the mission trip itself.  Part of that preparation is the team getting to know each other; let alone the leaders of the trip understanding how each member works (gifts and talents).  In all this we have to understand the Lord’s ways are not our ways.  After all, how can our Lord be glorified if we are not put in strenuous circumstances in which His glory would shine (i.e. Gideon).  We had 25 people on this trip; 13 of those were going for the first time (whom we only had two meetings with), and 6 of those were last minute joiners.  Now let’s see how the Lord used this.

We can start with the “Packing Party”  We were able to do this over a couple of days.  Susan Culbreth was energetic in getting the hygiene kits assembled.  Shortly after we arrived at the church and began getting things organized in comes an army of youth!  We got things set up for assembly line action and they were done in short order putting the backpacks together with school supplies.  The big “Packing Party” was Saturday.  Arriving at 9 a.m. not allowing ourselves to be hindered by the over whelming load of work set before us; organizing the clothes, packing miscellaneous items, having lunch, fellowship, and loading the truck as we weighed the boxes - to be done by 1 p.m.  I know it can’t be fully appreciated unless you were there, but as we were wrapping things up I looked at my phone to check the time - 1:10 p.m. God is good.
But wait…Silas then noted one rear tire was significantly low (Le gasp).  Due to obligations Silas wouldn’t be able to take care of the tire till tomorrow - departure day.

“LIFT OFF” - DAY OF DEPARTURE:
We had a three car convoy going up (one car left early).  One thing Silas and I like to have is communication by way of walkie-talkie.  Problem is we couldn’t find our walkie-talkies from last year; and we were hesitant about buying another set should we find the ones we had.  One lady who joined us last minute, Susan Garris, brought a set of walkie-talkies which was compatible with Jerry Oliver’s (the driver of the other vehicle); coincidence - I think not (Praise the Lord).  The trip was uneventful and we arrived in Beckley at a reasonable time - Praise the Lord.

“THE PEOPLE ARE COMING” - DAY 1:
As we pulled into Rhodell, we saw a significantly more people than usual waiting for us. One child was seen running into The Open Door yelling, “The people are her, the people are here!” A good sign. We had plenty of help unloading from the towns people. Meanwhile, I myself had two goals: get Angel and Susan Culbreth together to collaborate on a tutoring program , and get Susan Garris and Petie together (both Susan’s are teachers). At the same time that I was hunting these people down--I mean looking for them--Evelyn and Betty were doing medical screenings.  It was limited, but our two nurses were able to do quite a bit of consultation.  At the same time, our youth were managing the registration process. Though it was a little unrefined, they managed to hold it together. 

To get things rolling Evelyn and the others organized a loose rendition of “Deal or No Deal”  This went well; one boy won himself a complete line of Old Spice products - he’ll be ready for high school.  Then there was something that may become a town favorite if we do it right - “Rhodell’s Got Talent”.  People showed some eagerness to get up and share their talent.  We hope the Lord will bless this to an event the people of Rhodell and others will look forward to in the coming years.

My mom was coming from Maryland with Maria and her daughter, Sarah.  They would be meeting us this evening when we return to the hotel.  Turns out they rolled into the parking lot in time to get in the van heading out for dinner.  Tomorrow morning was to start out with shopping for supplies.  I found myself thinking, “My Mom’s first mission trip and it starts out with dinner at Cracker Barrel and shopping at Wal-Mart!”

THE MAIN EVENT - DAY 2:
This was the day when there would be the most interaction with the towns people and the distribution of the Redemption Coupons.  We still were not sure if the process would be received well-let alone if we could make it function.  Great anticipation and uncertain expectations accompanied us into town.

After lunch our kitchen team cleaned up while others prepared for the gospel stations while Praise and Worship was led by Susan and Karen.  Based on the colored beads that help tell the Good News of Jesus Christ, we set up stations inside The Open Door.  One of the team members was a each station to explain what the color represented.  At the conclusion each participant was given an item of that color (at the black station they received a drawstring backpack, at the red station an apple, the white station was a white towel, etc).  The black station started things off with Bobby Gray in the tent; he and Evelyn did a little skit about being lost.

The BBQ grill (courtesy of Rick from the fire department) was fired up for an evening meal of chicken.  As things wrapped up at the gospel stations BJ, Dee Dee and Monte got the basketball tourney revved up.  Dinner was served with another round of “Deal or No Deal”

To top our day off the gallant church van (which already showed signs of weakening steering linkage) driver's side window would not go back up!  Praise the Lord our investment in Silas' education in auto mechanics enabled him to fix the window. 

THE REDEMPTION STORE - DAY 3:
While yesterday was the main event, today was The Big Test.  Redemption Coupons were given out freely.  Yesterday I saw kids and adults walking around with stacks of cards.  Our challenge was to quickly set up the store, regulate the flow of people coming in, distribute backpacks, give bicycles, pack things up and be on our way by about 1 pm; it was now 10:30 am - go.  While the team has shone throughout this trip I think the Holy Spirit notched it up a level today.  Remember, 13 new people and 6 of those we last minute add ons.  After morning devotions we had our morning briefing.  As I spoke about how we were going to do the store I kept feeling this “nudge”.  As I spoke I kept feeling it; then I blurted it out…”This is our first time doing this, so if something comes up don’t feel you have to look for me or Evelyn to decide what to do; just make the call.”  I felt a sense of calm by giving each person the authority to make the decisions. 

When we arrived we sprung into action like a S.W.A.T. team (okay, maybe not a good comparison - but close).  People were lining up to get in and after a while I realized we could filter kids over to the trailer to distribute backpacks.  Silas, Dee Dee, and Karen handled this task.  The others were inside serving the people.  As action in the store was building I noticed that our youth had jumped in to start helping people carry their goods to their car.  After a while I poked my head out the door to see how backpack distribution was going - they were done; and we didn‘t even know it!  Normally one of the chaotic events and things were quietly finished (praise the Lord). 

With the backpacks distributed, the Redemption Store winding down, it was time to release the bicycles; another potentially chaotic time!  We were able to get the bikes off the trailer without much notice.  As a reader you may not appreciate this ; when we did our bicycle work day, by the end of the morning we had seven bikes ready.  We came to Rhodell with a small trailer of bikes.  After the kids took their bicycle of choice the Lord pulled a loaves and fishes move - we had maybe 10 bikes left over! (praise the Lord)
We packed up, headed for lunch, and got on the road by about 2:30 pm.  The return trip was uneventful (thank you Lord) and we pulled into the church parking lot by about 9:30 pm.  I hope I’m not sounding to anticlimactic, but going over all these events has made me tired.  The Lord blessed us in abundance and has moved us one step closer to seeing His glory shine on the work being done.  We hope you will stay tuned to the BLOG as we  anticipate continued developments in the coming months.  Thank you and may the Lord bless you for your support.

Galatians 6:9
“Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not grow weary.”