Robert Hicks from Mocks UMC in Advance

Dude, this summer's mission trip was awesome. We joined with 5 other churches under the guidance/direction of Carolina Cross Connection. Staff for CCC was amazing. They kept us organized and focused on our service projects. Not only that, but they had the best worship and fun time back at camp! Food was amazing, too. Over the course of 7 days, we impacted 16 families in communities in the western part of the state of NC. The work was challenging, but extremely rewarding. I'm looking forward to going back again next summer. If you've not been part of a CCC Mission trip, I recommend looking into it. I promise, you'll be thankful you did.

Cody Mitchell from Glenn View Baptist Church in Winston-Salem

What I did on my summer missions trip was work on a mans house who was an 85 Year Old Widower. His wife died 20 years ago and he lives alone. We talked to him about Jesus and he changed the subject, but he went to church. We witnessed to people in the neighborhood. One man walked all the way to the end of the street and came back and asked for prayer. It was somewhat frightening because someone was shot a couple days before, a block down from our house. That's what I did on my Mission Trip this summer.

Rachel Elizabeth McGee from River Oaks Community Church in Clemmons

On my church missions trip to Tunica Mississippi, I had an amazing time. I worked on scraping and painting a church, and digging holes. We all earned our PhDs... "Post Hole Digging" Certificate. It was my second missions trip ever, and it was a phenomenal journey. I learned so much about myself and the people around me. I learned more of why I believe what I do from debates with people who don't necessarily believe what I do. I also was so strongly ministered to (oddly enough) by the woman we were working for (on a ranch). She found me out and prayed for me, and in turn, I taught her to open up as well. She hadn't spoken to her father in years, and with my discussing my own difficult past, she learned how having a father is a true gift that nothing can be compared to.

Also, I met the pastor, Rodney, of a church we visited on Sunday. He came to our meeting house that evening, and discussed his past with us. He had been abused when he was younger, and after that, there was worship. I went back to the back and talked to him for a long time, and he felt as if he should pray for me. I firmly believed that I was supposed to be a teacher, but God showed me that I need to teach down there, in a poverty-stricken area. And He gave me the call of "Build me a church", then over this time period He has shown me that this is in my on church. We had a wonderful youth group a while back, but it has gone down lately. I have been witnessing and doing all I can for it, and He's started showing miracles. Thank you father for these experiences.

Ryan Bonifay from River Oaks Community Church in Clemmons

For my church's mission trip, we went to Salt Lick, KY and my group and I built an addition onto a double wide that had ten people living in it. The woman whose house we were building onto's name was Edna and she had her aunt, grandfather, husband, her two daughters and their children. We were able to spread the word of Christ to the family who had been struggling and reluctant to accept Christ. Halfway through the week the aunt, who was in her 90s and was assisted by a oxygen tank, had trouble breathing and had to go o the hospital. In the hospital, one of our youth leaders talked to the aunt and asked if Christ was her lord and savior and she said yes. We also had to work with the two daughters that had strayed away from the path that she should be on in her life. One of them we were able to get to seriously think long and hard about giving her life to Christ. Also part way through the week, me and a fried of mine had a long talk about me giving my life to Christ. I had been wary in my faith because earlier in the year I was in a severe car accident and broke my femur, shattered my forearm, and broke several ribs. While I was in the hospital, I thought if there is a God, why would he let something like this happen? But every day, there would be a pastor with me from my church, my parents church, or my grandparents church. So, after my friend and I finished our long talk, I gave my life to Christ.

Maddie Cumbo from River Oaks Community Church in Clemmons

Ever since I began attending the youth program at my church, the Lord has called me to reach out to others in any way that I can. This summer, it was through missions. In the middle of July, I went to Tunica, Mississippi for a week. While we were there, we did various work projects. One of them was re-painting a tin roof. Another was building a 1000 ft. fence. And the last one was repainting a stone church. But for me, the ministering wasn't really in the work that we did, but the reaching out in the neighborhoods, nursing homes, and jails.

In the neighborhood, we installed smoke detectors, spread the Word to the people that lived there, and invited them to an outreach that we would be holding. At the outreach, we fed and ministered to the people who came, and played with all of the little kids, too. At the nursing home, most of the people were asleep, but we prayed and spoke with the ones who were awake. The jail was my favorite part. We had an hour to listen and share with the people there. The part that touched my heart the most was their unshakable belief and trust in the Lord. They all had heart-moving stories and greatly appreciated us visiting them.

The reason why this trip was different from all of the others that I've been on was because it brought all of the attention off of myself. I have a selfish attitude, and there wasn't room for that here. God worked in magnificent ways, and for me, all of the work was in others around me. This trip really changed the way that I view poverty and lack of necessities, but most of all, the need for love and affection. I thank God every day for revealing this to me.

Dean Graham from River Oaks Community Church in Clemmons

On my mission trip to Salt Lick, Kentucky I worked at a trailer in desperate need of repair. My team put on a new roof, a plumping system, and repainted most of the outside of the house. Also, while we were there a woman on our worksite was saved.

Nathaniel Bush from River Oaks Community Church in Clemmons

My youth group took a summer missions trip to Saltlick, Kentucky. When we arrived we were assigned families in which we would work on there house in any way needed while also taking the opportunities to share the Lord with them. My group was assigned the house in the worse condition of the other ones. It was a family of 3. None of them said that they new the Lord so we already new what was the most important thing to do. We worked at least 8 hrs. a day trying to repair the house the best we could. We worked on the roof which was a blast and we painted which was harder than normal. It was one of the funniest trips i have ever been on. The best part of it was that we finished the roof in 3 days. It was a lot of work. On the forth day my friend got his hand cut, it was bad. He had to be rushed to the hospital an hr. away. This happened with my youth pastor was trying to share the Lord with her. That impacted my trip the most. That showed all of us that the devil was trying to keep the family from hearing about the Lord. On Friday we had an outreach in which all the people from the community came and heard Christian music and got to eat free food. This was so much fun!!!! I would have to say this trip influenced my spiritual life more than anything a have ever experienced and i hope to go next year. God Bless

Kevin Gheen from River Oaks Community Church in Clemmons

What I did on my summer missions trip was to travel with 75 middle school students, high school students, and youth leaders to Saltlick Kentucky so we could do outreach to the community and repair a number of homes of families who could not afford the needed repairs. I led a team of three adults including me, and 12 teenagers through the process of reroofing the home of an elderly couple who were both cancer survivors. During the hot July and August sun we installed a black tin roof, painted and hung ceiling fans for Mr. and Mrs. Reed. The students did most of the work and I handled the technical stuff like flashing and trim. It was a great experience and I enjoyed having my wife, youngest son, and daughter on my work site.

In the evenings we worshiped and enjoyed fellowship and teaching by different leaders and ministers who were along with us. Several students came to know Jesus as their savior and one of the mom's at a work site also gave her heart to Christ.

Tyler Ned Wilhoit from Highland Baptist Church in New London

First mission trip this year, was to Jamaica for my third time in a row for short term missions. This year we began thinking it would be a bit more difficult year than in the past. We were short a couple more people than usual, which needless to say cut us short on baggage to carry supplies, food, and other gifts. But God is good, all the time. He supplied us with a wonderful team this year, one which all the pieces just "fell into place." We had a wonderful time ministering to the Jamaican people. Daily at VBS we had 120+ children and a few adults and many accepted Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Second mission trip this year was to Ukraine, for my second year in a row for short term missions there. If you can imagine the seven hour time jump added to the fact that we left the very next day from returning from Jamaica, it became a tough trip right off the bat. But God supplies us with the energy we need to do His work to His people. We ministered to three orphanages this year at a summer "camp" that the orphans were sent to attend. It was an awesome ministry experience. They were so receptive to the gospel. It was amazing to see how little they had and yet they still wanted to give something back to our team for coming. There were many tears when we left. The most amazing thing was that we had brought enough craft supplies for 50 kids each day. Well as you can imagine many more came to hear and see the Americans speak. We had approx. 70 kids each day, and God worked a miracle only He could. Every child that left each day had a craft to take back with them. Talk about loaves and fishes! We serve an awesome God. And even with the language barrier in Ukraine, we could still communicate with those kids through love and hand gestures, only God can work that out. These are just a few short stories about our short term missions this year. There was so so so much more that God did.

Debbie Doub from The Rock Church in King

I went with a group of church members to Honduras. We visited a school and held VBS. We climbed the mountains and distributed food to poor on the way to the top.We handed out clothing and bought a pig for a small village. The people there embraced us with love. They have so little but love so big. I have a new appreciation for all I have and for the blessed life I live. I can't wait to return.

Joshua Buhrman from River Oaks Community Church in Clemmons

Helped fix up poor families home so they felt like they had a new home. We saw the man and woman become alive for Jesus Christ by becoming believers and getting married the next day. This impact my life to see how God works in people's life.

Ashlyn Nicole Vestal from Turners Creek Baptist Church in Courtney

This is my first mission trip going to West Virginia. From our church it took about three and a half hours. We finally got to our hotel in Claypullhill, Viginia. We had to ride and hour and thirty min. to the church and back. The views were so amazing. The curvy roads the mountains they were so pretty. The first day at the church we had to unload all the food and drinks from the vans. Our youth pastor Brother Scott asked who wants to go visiting to tell people about our bible school. After most people the work loaded on. There was so much work that had to be done. After we got the church decorated we left the church and went back to the hotel. When we got back to the church the next day a lot of kids got there two or three hours earlier so we had to sing and play games with kids. All the kids and adults were so sweet the kids hugged you sat on your lap same with the adults but they did not sit in your lap. All this happened in the first day and we were complete strangers to them. The people just want someone to love them. Mrs. Sue was the Amen Baby of the church. She hugged everyone in the building. She wanted to marry three of our guys. She wanted to take me and three other kids home with her. The most interesting thing that happened was every day. Because you got to meet someone new everyday and you got to do something new to. But if I had to pick the most interesting thing it would be Mrs. Sue. Because I have never meet anyone like her. The trip made a big impact in my life. I am very thankful for my family, church, and friends. But most of all my parents. Because my parents provide food, shelter, and schooling. I would go on another mission trip any time.

Anna Beaty from River Oaks Community Church in Clemmons

This year I went on two mission trips with the ROC youth ministry. One was a mission trip to Tunica, Mississippi with the high school, and the other was to Salt Lick, Kentucky with the middle school as a student leader. The trip I want to focus on is the Kentucky trip. The "slogan" for our trip could be summed up as "Serve God, serve others, and drink Ale-8" (Ale-8 is a soda sold only in Kentucky, which is a favorite in our youth ministry). Over the week (July 26-August 2), I grew in my walk with God, had a chance to serve Him, and grew closer to my friends than I even thought was possible. During the week, we split up and went to different worksites. I was on a worksite with a young unmarried couple who had an eight year old son; they lived in a trailer that was in terrible condition. Over the week, we got to know the family, especially the mom and young boy. At the end of the week, Brandy (the mom) became a Christian!!!! The boy, Cody, said he wanted to go back with us. We worked on repairing the house in many ways. I did everything from painting, to tarring a roof, and washing dishes. Also, the teachings every night impacted me. The opportunity to go as a student leader was awesome!!! I got to know some younger students and take on more responsibility. We faced many spiritual attacks during the week as we served God, but we overcame them with His help. I was on the roof when another student leader was injured in a freak-accident. His hand was cut so deeply that it cut the nerve and tendon and required surgery. I am so thankful for my youth pastors Aaron Elmore and Sonny Flowers, and the youth leaders Lisa Kennedy, Kim Hawkins, Scott Singer, Madeline Huff, and all the others. They gave up a week of vacation to come minister to us!!!! I also could not have better friends than the ones in the youth ministry. I truly saw how much they love and care for me on this trip. I couldn't be more thankful for friends!!!!

Katarina Williams from River Oaks Community Church in Clemmons

I went to Frenchburg, Kentucky with my youth group and we helped repair houses for some people who don't have as much as we have. It was very rewarding because not only did the people I worked for get a lot of out the trip, I got a lot out of the trip.

Kayla Harrell from Grace Baptist Temple in Winston-Salem

This summer our group from church went to Costa Rica.On Tuesday and Wednesday we ventured to the orphanage and presented the gospel to the kids through the wordless book bracelet. While we were there we played with the most beautiful kids. We played soccer and threw a frisbee. It was a great experience there. Then on Thursday, we went into Los Guidos or what most people called it the Hole. That was the most devastating place I have ever been in. They were people who had moved from Nicaragua to find a better life and a chance to get a job. These people found the same lives that they had come from before. They now live in metal shacks and the sewer system is a creek that runs through the small village. During that day we handed out tracks and spread the gospel to these amazingly receptive people. One of the girls there received Jesus Christ into her heart while we were there. On Friday we went to help a church, El Camino that had just moved from a sixty person church to a church that could hold around three hundred. We painted the inside of it. While we were there I committed my life to serving Jesus through missions work wherever He wants to send me. Thank you so much!! Romans 10:14&1

Bethany Shaw from Pine Grove UMC in Winston-Salem

In June I was still at my "old church", Bunker Hill UMC Kernersville (Dad's a UM pastor) and our youth group had a mission "STAY" instead of a trip. We slept on the floor of the church, ate our meals together and generally acted as if we were on a trip. We were the hands and feet of Jesus as we helped to repair the home of a family whose house had burned almost a year ago. We had planned to travel to work at M.E.R.C.I., but when the grandfather of the family (who worked two jobs and worked on his house in his spare time) died on Memorial Day, the youth and adults planning to do the trip prayed about it and forfeited our deposits to M.E.R.C.I. and helped a family in the community. Never has mudding and taping dry wall, painting, installing windows and siding given me such joy.

The week after this "stay" my family moved to Pine Grove UMC in Winston-Salem, and I traveled with a group from PGUMC to the Navajo Nation to teach Bible School for the children and to take supplies to the hospital serving the people there. The children stole my heart, but my prayer is that our witness and love have changed their hearts.

While these trips may not seem as important as International trips to many people, I am only 13 years old and these are my 11th and 12th weeks of mission and I KNOW that I'm in my 14th year of sharing Jesus with everything I do!

Aaron Elmore from River Oaks Community Church in Winston-Salem

This summer I helped lead 2 mission teams from our Church that went to Mississippi and Kentucky.

For our first trip we took 20 adults and 12 students to Tunica, Mississippi. Tunica was rated the poorest town in America in 1998. We did servant-evangelism through work projects in the community and were also involved in outreach, ministry, and evangelism. Our work projects included painting a local church, building a 1,000 ft fence for a therapeutic riding center for disabled children, as well as some roofing and other repairs at a local ministry. We did some ministry at a local nursing home, prison, and ending with the week with a community cookout where we were able to present the gospel and minister to the 250+ people who came (mostly children).

In late July, we took a team of 59 middle and high school students and 17 adults from our church to the rural Appalachian hills of Kentucky. During the week we split up into 4 sites to work for families who needed repairs to their home. We built 2 room additions, worked on decks, replaced two roofs, painted, and much more. We also had some of the team do ministry at a nursing home and at a local charity distribution center. We ended the week with a community outreach with free food, inflatable games for kids, and presented the gospel through drama, music, and a presentation of the Gospel.

I also had the amazing opportunity to travel to Kyrgyzstan in April. The ministry there involved Orphanage ministry, small group Bible study, English clubs, and encouragement for the full time missionaries positioned there.

I would like to conclude with a few words from a recent sermon I preached:

"Missions is so important for the Church, because missions lies at the heart of who God is. In fact, there is a very close connection between our passion for missions and our understanding of and passion for who God is. In his book Let the Nations Be Glad, author John Piper wrote, "Where passion for God is weak, zeal for missions will be weak. Churches that are not centered on the exaltation of the majesty and beauty of God will scarcely kindle a fervent desire to, ‘declare his glory among the nations’ (Ps 96:3). Even outsiders feel the disparity between boldness of our claim upon the nations and the blandness of our engagement with God."

Joe Valls from River Oaks Community Church in Winston-Salem

What I did on my summer missions trip...I went on two mission trips this summer. In Tunica, Mississipi, we built a 1000-ft fence for a therapeutic horse farm. We also did other various construction projects as well as installed smoke detectors in homes in dpressed neighborhoods. We put on a community outreach as well as visited the jails and nursing homes. God worked in a powerful way not only in the community we served but also in the team that we took. We did much of the same things in Kentucky as well.

Barbie Wright from Glenn View Baptist in Winston-Salem

A team of seven from Glenn View Baptist Church were called to go on a mission trip to Malawi, Africa for 10 days in June. Our main purpose in going was to tell others about who God is and what He has done in our lives. We encountered people from all walks of life. Some were already Christians, and we were able to encourage them. Some had heard of Jesus, and we were able to share the gospel and share our personal stories. Some we shared with were hearing the name of Jesus for the very first time. We would take the time we needed at each home in the village. Share, talk, visit, and if they desired, pray with them to accept Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. We also handed out tracts to those who accepted Christ and to those we passed as we walked back to the meeting place.

I am a RN in the newborn nursery at High Point Regional, which made one meeting very meaningful to me. I had the honor and privilege to meet with the midwife in the village. I was able to sit down and talk with her about how she helps women deliver their babies and encourage her in her relationship with Christ. We left her with piles and piles of tracts to hand out to these women when they come to deliver in her home. I pray that Jesus Christ is spread not only throughout her village, but also throughout the surrounding villages as well.

We also had the opportunity to set up a big screen in one of the villages and show the "Jesus Film" in their native language. We danced to African music as the sun set, watched the film, and then my husband presented the gospel to those who came. Twice while we were there we were able to share with elementary schools about the gospel of Jesus Christ. So many children raised their hands to accept Christ.

There is not enough room to type everything I have to say about this mission trip. Every mission trip is a life changing experience. You go to help others, but most of the time we are the ones who come back changed. I am thankful for being given the opportunity to be used by God to tell others about Christ. I am thankful for how God provided the money for both my husband and I to go on this trip. I am thankful for my parents being willing to come from FL to take care of our two kids (ages 3 1/2 and 18 mon). I am thankful for God's blessings. We have so much to be thankful for in America. Sometimes I think we are almost too self-sufficient that we don't see our need for God. The people we met were so kind and welcoming. They willingly listening to our message. I am thankful that there is an established church in that area that will be able to follow up what God has already started through us.

Pray and ask God if He desires for you to go on a short term mission trip. Never say never. Don't shut out an opportunity of a lifetime. I am a wife, nurse, mom of two young kids, and God called me to go on this trip and provided for me every step of the way.

Rebekah Emily Hollar from Abbotts Creek Missionary Alliance in High Point

This past summer, God laid a burden on my heart. That burden was that I needed to go on a missions trip and share His love with others. Never would I have thought He would have chosen New Orleans for my family and I to go to. I was quite skeptical and apprehensive at first but I knew God had all things worked out and I should follow and trust in Him. On July 5th at 5:00 a.m., a group of 19 mission-ready people, including me, left for New Orleans. It took most of the day to get there, but when we finally arrived I was relieved. We were able to stay in a very nice house considering the environment we were surrounded by. I hadn't had an opportunity to really get a feel for the area because we arrived so late, but the next morning I was anxious and excited to begin ministering with others. On Sunday we started out our day by worshipping with Carver Baptist Church. Pastor O'Connor, as well as my dad, Pastor Mark Hollar, preached a message. The service was truly blessed as the sanctuary was filled to capacity and extra chairs had to be set up. That afternoon we went to the Claiborne bridge to minister with the homeless. The sight and smell of urine and uncleanliness was almost unbearable. We fed them lunch and also distributed Bibles, hygiene packs, and cross necklaces to show we cared. For those who were accepting, we also shared the Gospel with these individuals who seemed so hopeless but yet were counting the blessings God had given them. We each walked away with a new spirit and understanding after encountering perhaps the most heart wrenching and inhumane conditions in New Orleans. The following day, the team tackled two different ministries. Most of the men along with two other ladies, worked with the St. Bernard Mission in rebuilding homes that had been destroyed by hurricane Katrina. The rest of the team worked with Global Maritime Ministries, an organization associated with the North American Mission Board that reaches out to the international workers.

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Michael Grayson from First Christian Church in King

When we left Greensboro July 5th on our way to Piedras Negras, Mexico this year I had no idea what to expect. I was nervous and excited about what the next week would bring. Nervous, because it was my first mission trip, the first time I would socialize with people from our new church for any length of time, and because I had never shared my testimony with anyone from a different culture. I was excited, because there were so many possibilities, I was getting a chance to learn more about the pepole I worshipped with every Sunday, and because I was going to share the gospel with people who did not know Jesus!

So we landed in Charlotte for our first layover and wouldn't you know I started to get sick to my stomach. It happened about 30 minutes before we were supposed to depart for our flight to San Antonio. I was so frustrated! I didn't know what to do, so I decided not to continue to try to keep this stomach bug from infecting the rest of the group. My wife picked me up about two hours later in Charlotte. I just lost it in the car and began to sob. I couldn't understand why God would let this happen. I wanted to go so bad. I knew in my mind He had a plan, but I didn't understand at the time. I didn't know if I ever would. I kept saying my life verse, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and he shall make your path straight".

On the way home, I called several people from the church that helped plan the trip. Immediately they got to work to help me find another way down there if I were to start feeling better in the next few days. Wouldn't you know it, God was opening doors for me! I was able to get the LAST seat on a flight that Monday (we left on Sat.) and there was a passenger service that could transport me from San Antonio Airport to Eagle Pass, TX for only $20. Now this is amazing, because this is a three hour ride and it is right across the border from Crossroads Missions (our hosts for the week).

Now all I had to do was get rid of this stomach bug. I was able to make my flight, still not feeling 100%, but fully capable of traveling. We don't always understand why things happen the way they do, but God had someone he wanted me to witness to on the flight that afternoon. I spent 2 hours of the 2 1/2 hour flight listening to and sharing God's love in my life with Jenny. She was on leave from the Air Force for her Grandfathers funeral. Jenny told me she was lost and didn't have any particular religion and kind of took bits and pieces from each religion. I spent most of that time just listening to her story and what she was looking for in life. I spent the last year holding my wife after losing her mother and brother in that time span, so I knew what she was feeling.

I told Jenny that God gave me the strength to get through the hard times and that I couldn't possibly make it through out life without Him. She was captivated and eager to learn about what I had shared with her. I gave her some book titles to read, "The Case for Christ", "The Case for Faith", "The Purpose Driven Life", and "The Five Love Languages". I encouraged her to keep asking God questions and would answer them for her.

I finally made it to Piedras Negras, Mexico late that night. These kids that I hardly knew gave me the warmest welcome. They really made me feel part of the group. It was a joy getting to know them better and worship and serve with them. Through the experience I have decided to start a College Small Group for the kids in our church because they were doing bible study with middle school and high school kids. We spent the week building houses for underprivileged families and going on outreach in the community. During outreach we sand songs, provided snacks and played games for families.

We were able spend a night with some of the locals. I was so blessed by that night. Myself and three others sat around socializing and singing songs in Spanish and English. The true blessing came when the man we were staying with (Gustavo), his grand-daughter sang for us. She sang Open the Eyes of My Heart in Spanish and another hymn I had never heard in English. She had the voice of an angel. God has truly blessed her. She wants to be a singer when she grows up. We had a chance to pray for her and with the family. The last day we were there we found out that three local people had come to Christ that week because of our work.

It was a life changing experience in many ways and reassuring in others. I have formed some special relationships and become more connected to my church. I have let go of my fears of missionary work. I learned that we can serve God in many ways. Our focus just needs to be on Him. I also have a deeper faith in something I already knew. God is in control! When God is doing something big in my life, Satan is working extra hard to keep me from fulfilling God's purpose in my life. I will try to keep that in mind the next time I have struggles.

Stephen Gamble from Calvary Chapel of the Triad in Kernersville

What I did on my summer missions trip... Our youth group goes on a large week long trip every year, but this was the first year we went on a missions trip instead of a retreat. The first day we left our church Monday morning after giving hugs to parents and those who didn't get to go and climbing into our four fifteen passenger vans and headed out on the two and a half hour trip to mars hill college in Ashville, NC where we were staying in dorms for five days. when we got there we unloaded every thing into our dorms and at some lunch then we headed to the mall to witness to people, we broke up into groups of four, even though it was not in my group between the others three of the people we witnessed to were lead to the lord. when we got back after dinner we had a time of worship and our youth pastor D.A led a devotional. the next morning we got up early and had a time of worship to start off our morning and then broke up into to two groups, my group was to head over to the manna food bank to organize food boxes for the homeless, while the other group was going to the soup kitchen to give it a new paint job and then to help feed people at lunch, our group got lost on the way to starbucks were we had convinced our leader to stop, when we finally got there after two wrong turns and almost turning onto a one way street we went in and got our coffees and were handing out tracks to the people setting around and we led a seventy-two year old man to the lord. At the food bank we put together the boxes and had talked about what we had seen the past two days. The next morning we got up early again had worship and a devo led by Harly, one of the guys in our youth group. We went to the battered women's shelter that day and helped them do things like change light bulbs and pull weeds. That night we went to the ball park where Calvary chapel Asheville were holding a special service for there soft ball team who had made it to the finals. and then we watched them play a game. On Thursday, the last full day we would be there, we went rafting on the French board river for a five mile stretch and then had lunch on the river bank. on that night we had the band Stereo Jesus play for us and we had a bonfire with a youth group from Chicago. On Friday we woke up and packed up and had one more set of worship songs before we would go home.

Rachel Thompson from River Oaks Church in Winston-Salem

This This summer i went on a missions trip to Africa with my mom. We've been going to Africa since I was little, I was also born there. My mom owns a children's home there, The Challenge Farm. The kids were thrown on the street by there parents and abused in many ways and had no home to go too. So they live on the farm were they get a good education, learn about life, and where they learn how to become closer to God. I got to be become closer to these kids, who some of them I have known since they were little. I got to teach some of them in class and i got to talk to some of them and find out their life story. Challenge Farm is a great home for kids like them who are homeless and who just need someone to love them.

Lindsey Beth Dixon from Main Street Baptist in Kernersville

What I did on my summer missions trip...My mission trip was definitely an experience that I don't think I will ever forget. My youth group went down to Atlanta, Georgia in the middle of summer and man was it HOT!! First we were stuffed into two vans that had no air-conditioning. Then we stayed at a church that also had no air-conditioning. The rooms we stayed in were small and had quite a few bugs! The first few days of camp were really rough on everyone. We all went out into inner city Atlanta and did different service projects. Some made lunches for the homeless while others cleaned up yards for families. While doing these missions was fun, the most powerful part of the week happened halfway through. One night we had tacos for dinner at camp. The next day, over half of the camp had mysteriously fallen very ill. It turns out that a bunch of us got food poisoning. Both kids and leaders were dropping left and right through out the day. Quite a few people were actually taken to the hospital. That night at worship, we were missing over half of our camp but the service was more powerful than it had been all week. Here we were, a bunch of strangers from all over the South, and we came together like nobody could have imagined. We knew that the Devil was trying to stop us from serving but we refused to let him. We came together and refused to let the Devil keep us down. We cried out to God for help and praised Him for letting some of us avoid getting sick. The next day, almost the entire camp went out to our mission sites; even those who had been sick. I usually go to camp to get a Jesus high that lets me be on fire for Jesus for a few months. This was the first time I experienced something totally different. It was the first time in my life that I actually desired to be a servant and have a servant's heart. I am trying to be involved in more volunteer projects and just be the servant that God is calling me to be. This mission trip definitely taught many things that I will never forget.

Brandy Cardwell from Christ Wesleyan Church in Winston-Salem

On my missions trip this summer, my youth group and I went to inner city Atlanta, Georgia. We worked with an organization called Church on the Street. This is an organization that works with the homeless people of downtown Atlanta. We passed out socks and prayed with many people. We couldnt talk to them about the Bible though because most of them went to church 2 or 3 times a day and knew the Bible better than any of us. We also worked at the nearby homeless shelter and cleaned it up for them. We also passed out snow cones and just hung out with the people on the streets. We also passed out food at the safe house which was a church they had 3 times a week where the people could get food.We also went to the Gateway which is a place where people can go to try and get back on their feet. Our youth pastor and his wife and me and some of my friends got to hang out with the women and children there and just got to know them.

We did many interesting things and many other interesting things happened to us. We got to see what the homeless life is really like although some people were on the streets because they wanted to be. Some were having trouble with their wives so they would get on the streets and go back when they felt like it. It was really sad just to see how many people there were on the streets. Almost every corner you turned there were one or two people. We did run into a guy that we believe under the influence of drugs and told our youth pastor that he needed to get a swagger like him. Some very odd things happened on this trip and we were told many strange things. This trip also made a huge, huge impact on my life.

Down in Atlanta, I learned many things that will always stick with me because of the experiences I faced. I learned how to be content because we did not stay in a very nice hotel and me and the girls we were staying with were trying not to complain. We managed to keep it to a minimum. It just showed me when I got back that I have it really good. I also realized that it shouldnt be hard to talk to my friends about God because I was able to just go up to someone on the streets that I didnt know and pray with them. God showed me that I need to make an effort to be a shining light to people in my school and to my community. This missions trip is the best trip I have ever been on and it will stick with me for a long time.

Molly Miranda Richardson from Glen View Baptist in Kernersville

My mission trip was not far in distance, just to Grifton, North Carolina. But that part didn't matter. Our youth group went through an organization call World Changers. World Changers is a organization that helps people in need with home repairs. Anyone can go and help. What you do is, go for a week, sleep on air mattress at the local high school and eat cafeteria food, including soggy eggs. Hahahaha! And during the week you go and try to repair the homeowner's house, but the main reason we go is to share the love of Christ to our homeowner and other people in the neighborhood. In your crew that you are put with, at least one person from your church, maybe more, and with people that you have never met before from all over the U.S. Even though working doesn't sound like fun, but this is. Once while sitting down with our homeowner and talking, I asked her if when she died did she know if she was going to heaven! And earlier she had told us that she believed in God. But her answer was No! She did not know for certain. So, right then another girl from my crew and myself started telling her how she could know for sure that she would spend eternity with Jesus in heaven. After we told her the wonderful things that Jesus can do for her. We asked her again, if when she died did she know for sure that she was going to heaven. And this time her answer was YES! We were so excited that when we got back to where we stayed for the week we told the staff members that we had a rededication of faith! We were thrilled! Now, every time I get an opportunity to tell others about Jesus, I try not to miss it. Because, if you listen to God and follow through with what he is trying to tell you to do, and you do it, you will overflow with joy!!! That same day, in the same neighborhood, someone was walking down the street and we started talking to him about Jesus and he said he didn't believe in that stuff and started to walk away. It hurt, but I knew that I planted a seed and I was doing what God told me to do.

Katelyn Shelton

This summer I decided to go on a mission trip with my church to Chicago. We went with Student Life camp and worked with assisted living and nursing homes. While I was there I made a relationship that I will never forget. We broke up into groups of three and went on to talk to each one of them. We were on our way to the next room, when someone for our group stopped us and said, "Don't go in the room that says Mary, she's very grumpy." Well my friends and I decided to peer in to the room. "Well, my friend said lets skip her then." But there was a sudden urge inside of me to go in there and talk to her. So I told the group that we should go in there and we decided to go ahead. We walked in there and she brightly smiled at us and so we sat down for awhile talking to Mary, and concluded that she was catholic, she had children, and that actually she was nice. We told her that we would see her the next day and went on through the day. The next day we decided to go see her again and again everyday throughout the week. Later through the week we gave her a little booklet on becoming a Christian, and asked her if she was. She said yes, because she was a good person. We explained to her that there was more to it than that, and that she needed to repent. After sitting down with her and answering her questions she repeated the sinners prayer after us, and hopefully she accepted Jesus that day. We will never know for sure, but we can pray for her. I continue to pray for Mary and hope that I will see Mary in Heaven. I loved going on this mission trip. It changed my life and my relationship grew with Jesus Christ. I can't wait until next year!

Natalie Hauser from South Oak Ridge Baptist Church in Yadkinville

My youth group drove across country from Yadkinville, NC to Seattle, WA. We actually worked in a small town called Orting. Our group along with students and adults from Union Grove Baptist and the local church in Orting knocked on 3,715 doors, conducted 6 Back Yard Bible Clubs and hosted nightly crusades. We saw 60 individuals come to know the Lord. While on the trip we saw the Archway in St. Louis, Mt. Rushmore, Yellowstone National Park, Pike's Fish Market in Seattle, Mt. Ranier, and toured Salt Lake City, UT. We traveled through 16 states in two weeks. We stayed at local churches throughout the country. While in Montana we stayed at a church that hosted local individuals. It was one of the greatest experiences of my live. My personal growth in Christ was tremendous.

Lauren Thurmond from Hillsdale UMC in Advance

What I did on my summer missions trip...We went to Kinston, NC. I had started the youth group at our church only about 4 days before the trip. I didn't hae any friends that were in the youth group. But when I went on that mission trip I not only made friends in my youth group but I made friends with the kids at the Kinston Memorial home. We spent our days waking up at 7 and going to the kitchen and helping sorting the shelves out and labeling new things, we put can foods in boxes. We also painted all their food sheds.We had bible study on tuesday adn thursday night. At the girls home my group went to really touched me because I didn't think they were going to praticipate with us because they were shy. But boy was I wrong some of them really got into it. They talked about their experiances with God. And when we had our church service with them, they was something I could never forget. When I looked at all them staring back at us from the stage they were singing along with us, and smiling. We also did a 2 skits that they seemed to enjoy. But our days weren't only spent working when we were done working we got to swim with them in the pool, or playing a game of basketball or pool with them in the recreation room. We had 2 cook-outs with them were we got to socialize with them and had a great time. But what really made my first mission trip worth while was hereing that when we got back from our church service with them 4 girls asked their counciler what was the best way to read the bible. When our youth director told us this I was so shocked that we really had an impact on these kids. So that day we went out and got each of those girls devotional bibles. When we gave them to them that night it was wonderful how their faces lit up. I was truely glad that I signed up for that trip. It was the greatest thing I could ever eexperiance through God. And I hope he has more adventures like that one for me.

Heather Mebane from Calvary Moravian in Winston-Salem

I went up to Laural Ridge Mission camp and my church group worked on a horse farm. It was a non-profit organization and they did therepy with disabled kids. We did yard work and cleaned a house for an auction to raise money for them. That week made me realize how much I have and to appreciate it all. Even through the jeans on a hot summers day, the no air conditioned dorms, and cleaning out the nastiest horse stall ever on the earth EVERYONE still had a great time!

CrysAne McCallum from Salem Chapel in Winston-Salem

My high school youth group and I went on a missions trip to a little country called Estonia located near Russia for 10 days. While there we teamed up with a person from Joshua Ventures. He is a leader of a church and through out the year he holds english camps where he gets high school age kids from all over he country to attend. Our youth group came in and hosted an english camp by running a ton of fun activities and just having a great time. It was an english camp and we did a bunch of english senario activities for the teens, but we were there to tell them about the gospel. Few of the students were Christians, most of them had never heard the gospel before, and a lot will never here it again. There was a service time where our pastor taught on a subject, then there was a time when we split up into smaller groups which we American students led. In my group I furthered my kids understanding and just answered what they wanted to know about. I thought it was great to see these teens that hardley knew anything about God be so interested and then amazing to see when they would come personally to me and want to know more. They really wanted to know about God and this whole Christian thing. Each student there was very interested. Not one of them became a Christian on our trip there, but each and everyone one of them was wanting to learn more on their own when we left. I even gave a Bible to a 16 year old boy who had never had one or barely even seen one. He was extremely excited to start reading it and his face showed that he couldn't have been more thankful. It was hard to say good bye to these Estonians who we had made such great friends with. Even though they live half way around the world, I still keep in contact with them and love hearing how they are doing and what they have been up to. I absolutely loved this trip and I feel blessed that I was able to do this all for God! I am really hoping I can do it again next year!

Kristen Tyner from Legacy Community Church in Greensboro

On my missions trip I went to Santiago, Chile in South America. This mission’s trip was not related to my church but rather something I wanted to do on my own. I stayed in Santiago the entire month of June and spent my time teaching at a local Christian school called Santiago Christian Academy. I was able to substitute teach for the pre-K, the kindergarteners, and the 1st and 2nd grade. Although the school is an English speaking school with a large number of American students it also has a great avenue for evangelizing. A lot of the Chilean parents want their kids to learn English and what better way then to send your kid to an English speaking school. This did provide a very interesting challenge for me, however, because I don’t know any Spanish. The 1st and 2nd grader’s all new English but with the pre-K and the kindergartener's I didn’t get so lucky. It did make for some very interesting times. This trip impacted me in SO many ways. It made me more thankful for what I have here at home. It brought me closer to my walk with God and it finalized my decision in wanting to work in missions when I get out of school.

Hannah Crater from Fountain of Life Lutheran Church in Kernersville

First of all let me say that it was an amazing experience. I laughed a lot, cried a lot, worked hard, and am changed forever! I (along with my crew members) painted a 2 story house and a garage. The residents seemed really happy and appreciative that we were there. For my first mission trip it was very interesting. I met lots of new people. Some from right in Thomasville and some from Chicago. Also, we had half of a free day so my youth group leader had us all go whitewater rafting. That was very exhilarating and amazing. It impacted my life in many ways. Everyday we learned a different way to love out loud and each day they showed us how to take that home and do the same thing in our community. Also, I learned that most people that need help like painting their house or building a wheelchair ramp aren't bad people like a lot of people think. They are just everyday people in bad situations. Like my resident, her daughter has cancer and she had to use most of the money to get her treatment. Those were my experiences and how my life is changed from that experience.

Melissa Foster from Friedberg Moravian in Winston-Salem

This summer I joined a group from New Philadelphia Moravian Church on an eight day trip to Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua. We spent 4 days working a village called Sisin, an hour and fifteen minute drive away from where we were staying. Sisin was nearly destroyed by hurricane Felix last fall. The work we did included, making cinder blocks to rebuild the church, helping construct a log building to be used by the church, digging two long drainage ditches and managing crowed control aka, playing with the many kids in the village. The first day that we visited Sisin, we were swarmed by children that seemed to come out of nowhere. They crowed around us to look at the pictures we took of them or just to hold our hands as they showed us where they lived. Even though the village seemed to have nothing and the conditions where rough to say the least, they were content with what they had. The expressions on their faces when they saw us made me want to cry. They were incredibly happy just to see us.

In addition to working in Sisin we visited two Miskito churches in Port. Even though we did not understand every word that they spoke, we knew exactly how they felt. They were so thankful that we came to Nicaragua and that we were helping with the rebuilding effort in the villages. We never directly helped any one in Port, but they knew what we were doing and truly appreciated our work.

The biggest lesson learned for me was to be content and to never think that I was worse off than the people around me. I learned this in a rather inconvenient way. On the way TO Nicaragua, my luggage was stolen. (I found that out when I got home) That means that the entire eight days I spent living out of my carry on which consisted of one change of clothes, my work shoes and a few other items. For the first time I felt somewhat in need. I had to depend on the rest of my group for an extra shirt, or a pair of shorts to sleep in. I also had to hand wash what few clothing items I did have.

Hannah ElizaBeth Hurst Triad Baptist Church in Kernersville

This summer I had the amazing opportunity to to go to Patate, Ecuador. It was by far the best week of my life. The following are the most popular questions I am asked and my answers! I thought that would be the best way to describe the trip to you!

Q:Did you make any commitments or decisions that you think will impact your life?

The whole week I felt God tugging at my heart to dedicate my life to missions. I kept telling him no.. but the more we tell God no the more he keeps telling us yes. One night in worship our pastor, Dan, was talking about giving it all you have and the whole night had been focused on missions and that night I dedicated my life to God's work in missions.

Q: What did God teach you or show you on this trip?

God taught me a lot of things but the main thing that he taught me was to love beyond barriers. No matter where we are or what we do Gods love is sufficient to be a part of everything and not to let the barriers put up by this world stop us from sharing it.

God also taught me how to be completely content with what I have. The Ecuadorian people have so little but they lived like they had it all. They were completely content with everything they did have.. even so little. I amazed me how they never complained and even wanted to help us when we were working. I will never forget those people.

Q: How can we pray for Ecuador?

Ecuador needs Jesus just like America. When I think of Ecuador, I mainly remember the kids. We can pray that the young people of Ecuador can get involved in a church and learn to love and follow Christ.

Q: What were some of your expectations going into the trip? Were those expectations met, unmet, or exceeded?

My expectations on this trip was to change and my expectations were completely exceeded. I never imaged that I could completely change my point of view and learn how to really love people and look past all the differences and truly love.

Q: Why is it important for us to go on mission trips?

It is very important for us to go on mission trips because God called us to do so. It also allows us to see the Church of Christ in a whole new light and to learn to love and appreciate what we have here.

Q: Mission trip veterans out there...how does this trip compare with other mission trip experiences?

This missions trip was like none other I have been on. The whole trip was amazing from start to finish. Most trips I will get tired and want to go home. When it came time to go home.. I was wishing I could stay! I completely feel in love with the country, the people and the way God was working there. This was the best experience of my life.

Q: First impressions of the country?

My first impression was that the country was beautiful. We flew in early in the morning so it was dark. When we woke up in the morning, we got to see Ecuador for the first time and it was beautiful! I never could have thought it would be this amazing.

Q: Tell me about the ministry you did. (describe the site, what did you do, etc.)

 At the site I worked at, I was in the music and drama section. This was amazing for me because I got to sing with the kids in Spanish. When we would sing, it would bring me to tears to think that the same God they are worshiping in Spanish is the same God I am worshiping in English. It was overwhelming. Our main job at the sights were to love the children. Just to hold them, and play with them and show Gods love to them.

Rebekah Elizabeth Grella from Biltmore UMC in Asheville

For my Summer Mission Trip I went to Jonesville Virgina. While their my group did construction work. We ended up putting up foundation for an 81 year old man named Dewey who had the black lung. It was very hard as we had to crawl under the house in a very small hole. This trip taught me to be more thankful of all that God has given to me as other people who live close to me have so little.

Katherine Elizabeth " Katie" Hall from Faith Missionary Alliance in Midway

What I did on my summer missions trip... On July 26th, 2008, thirty-four students, including myself, departed from our church to go to Marvell, Arkansas to serve and share the love of Jesus throughout the community. It was very cool because God showed me patience throughout the entire week. On the way down, the alternator broke in one of our church buses. It was frustrating because I am a very orderly person and I like to have everything in place at the proper time. But I was reminded that everything that was happening was planned by God and it was in his perfect and holy will (Romans 12:2-3). When we arrived at the YouthWorks site on Sunday, the other churches were very kind and helped us get all of our luggage off of the bus so that it could return to the rest area in Tennessee where the bus had broken down. The rest of our group arrived about 10 o'clock and survived off of the ham sandwiches in the vending machines. The girls were thankful because the guys were gentlemen and allowed for us to ride the bus on the first trip to the site. It was funny how everything worked out perfectly! On Monday and Tuesday, my crew, crew number two, assisted Amy Fox at the Kids Club, which was held at the Elementary School where we were staying. We split up in different groups so that crafts, games, and a Bible lesson could be covered. I decided to break away from my friends from NC and went to the Bible group. I helped plan out a skit to portray the rich man and the poor man who built their house upon the rock. I narrarated the story and the kids absolutely loved it! They even asked for us to do the skit again, which we learned later was the first time that they had asked a group for an encore! God was working throughout their lives and we could see it. I had the opportunity to go to the local nursing home and serve the people on Tuesday morning before Kids Club. It was a blessing because I saw that God can speak through the mute, deaf, and blind. Susan Adams, Callie Shoaf, and I sang.

Britnee Nickole East from Trinity Baptist Church in Trinity

In our summer mission trip. We traveled as a group of 37 to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. To M-Fuge Camp where we stayed on the Eastern University Campus. On our way there one of our Adult Leaders had fallen and scrapped up her knee and hurt her hand. Then when we got to Philly. and arrived at camp one of our students had gotten sick. The first day, of being on site we helped under privileged children. We played basket ball, kick ball, colored, anything they liked. So my team and I went inside to pack up our things to head back to camp. I noticed my wallet was open and was lying on top of my purse. I looked in my wallet to make sure nothing was taken. Sure enough, all the money I needed to survive that week was gone. I had $160 and that Tuesday on site my money was taken. Two leaders from my church had given me $40.00 then my Track Leader Lyndsay gave me $40.00. So Wednesday I was up to 80 bucks. Then Thursday rolled around. That morning my best friends Uncle died. They were really close.:[...I had gotten $20.00 from an adult in my Track group. I had gotten $40.00 from Trudy, the Adult leader from my group that fell. Another Adult leader in my group told her track team what had happened to me, and a student from her team gave her $40.00 to give to me (I didn't even know them). My youth pastor gave me 20 more dollars. So I was up to 200 bucks. Then Thursday night before worship, I got a call from my mother. My Great Grandmother had died that afternoon in her sleep. I went to worship crying my eyes out and I cried the whole time, I went up to the alter and prayed for the longest time and when I was done I got up and turned around and my entire church that was on that trip was behind me, so were kids and Adults I didn't even know. That night I wanted to accept Christ into my heart again. I knew my walk with GOD was dimming down and I was getting closer to him on that trip. So Friday I got $60's back from the kid that stole my money and a huge apology then one of the same people that had given me money gave me 40 more bucks.

Here's some highlights: We turned an 6 hour trip into an 18 hour trip. I got my money stolen. Trudy fell and broke her arm. I got back more money than I asked for. My grandmother died.  My best friends uncle died. Some how it took us 15 in a half hours to get home. My walk with GOD is so much more amazing. Ever since I've been home I've been wanting to get baptized.

Thank You so much.

Jon Link from Grace Baptist Temple in Winston-Salem

This summer i went to coasta rica with a group from my church.While we were there we went to and orphanage and helped paint a church.

Amy Harrelson from Richmond Hill Baptist Church in Boonville

This summer our church sent 8 youth and 2 adults to Bridgetown, Barbados. There were around 70 people on the trip as a whole. We were told before we left that we would be going into the local schools and daycares to talk to the children about God. That was one of the main reasons I chose to go on the trip, I love children and I love God! Yet, when we got to Barbados, God had other plans. We found out that the schools decided to close early and they would not be in session during our trip. With the help of the amazing missionaries (Rick and Cindy Jenkins) we split up into small groups and walked the streets of Barbados doing door-to-door evangelism. I had never personally done this type of ministry but I knew God had put me there for a reason. I feel like I matured so much in that first day. I no longer had that crazy feeling in my stomach when I started to speak to someone new. With that new-found desire to share, we spoke to everyone within earshot! I cannot even begin to describe the experiences I had while on this trip. I know for a fact that all 10 people from my church grew closer to God and to each other. We all gained different things from the trip but it made the biggest impact on each of our lives.

Shelby Thigpen from Oak View Baptist Church in High Point

What I did on my summer missions trip...Some of the youth at the church went to Hendersonville, NC. We had to do certain things like keep up our quiet time, tell our testimony on a Sunday morning in the chapel in front of the youth or on Wednesday night, teach our Sunday school class, couldn't miss no more than 4 days of church, read "Signs of life" and we had to write a paper about the book. Doing all these qualifications for this trip was worth it. We got to spend time with the children doing VBS. We just didn't do VBS we were there to spread God's word. We went on a bread run where you gave out food, the bread would be molded, food was out of date but they didn't care as long as they had food. The pastor would go out through his community 3 days out of 5 giving out food to the people who needs it. We also went through some neighborhoods giving out flyer's for VBS and salvation bracelets that the church made. We also helped a woman that just got in jail we had to get all her stuff out of her house so that no one in the trailer park would steel anything. Helping out the pastor which lives right beside of the church we took about 5 hrs. planting flowers and pulling up unwanted grass in the area so that their house and the church would look neat. The whole time we were there I learned that we shouldn't just help people we should care for them just like the pastor Mike takes all his time helping people witnessing to them and he keeps the church going even though he's 6 months behind on his payment, he is a true man of God. I just think that I should spend my time just like that, especially since I fully committed to Gods calling in the mission field.

Marissa Nicole Williams from Turners Creek Baptist Church in Courtney

What I did on my summer missions trip...We went to a church in Bradshaw, West Virginia. The pastor's name was Dean Crane. We sponsored a bible school. It was a great experience and I loved every minute of it. I thank the lord for allowing us to go and the church for supporting us by coming to our fundraisers. The most interesting part was the people. They weren't very fortunate but they were loving and kind. Even though they didn't know us they came up to us and gave us hugs like we've been friends all our lives. They are very smart and know a lot about God. There was one lady whose name is Mrs. Sue but we liked to call her "Amen Baby" because she would always yell "Amen Baby" to encourage the preacher. This trip has impacted my life by knowing that even though you aren't in the best family or you're not that fortunate you can still love with such compassion as they did. It makes you thankful for what u have and it shows you that u shouldn't judge from the outside it's the inside that counts. Jesus did that for us and I think we should do all that we can for him.

Hunter Wayne Hutchens from South Oak Ridge Baptist Church in Yadkinville

What I did on my summer missions trip... Is go to Seattle, Washington from NC by driving the whole way. It was some trip! We drove 8 days total. We stopped in many cities like St. Louie, Missouri. It was my favorite cause the arch way was there & i went in it to the very top. We spent a night there & then it was back on the road for us. Finally when we reached the "WELCOME TO SEATTLE" sign we sighed in relief! We had many activities planned for the 5 days we where there, We had a party in the park, door to door, & a basketball camp. I did door to door cause I'm best at that.  What touched me the most was when we where in the park & we sung "God of this city".  It was so good that it brought tears to our eyes, cause its amazing to me how 3 small churches came to the rescue & led over 60 people to Christ.

Megan Marie Hutchens from South Oak Ridge Baptist in Yadkinville

This summer my youth group drove across the country to Washington State. We went to a small town just outside Seattle near Mt. Rainer called Orting. On the way out there churches from every state we went through let us stay the night and shower. About 40 or so of us went from my church and all the girls stayed in host homes and the guys stayed at a near by church for a week. During the week we all split out into teams and went door-to-door telling people about Christ and inviting them to events we would host at the church every night. Others held a bible school "party in the park" for the local children at the park. While some guys put on a basketball camp for the younger basketball players.  While we were there the entire town knew what we were there because we went to almost every door in that town and talked to someone at the door and if they weren't there we would leave a door hanger. We had over 20 salvations! Along the way we stopped at the St. Louis Arch, Yellow Stone and Mount Rushmore.

Anna (Porter) McCollum from Centenary United Methodist Church in Winston-Salem

For the last five years I have gone on a mission trip to Hayesville, North Carolina to The Hinton Rural Life Center. This year, my team got to put hurricane straps on a house that had just been built in a neighborhood for those who couldnt afford a nice home but could take the time to help build it. Our group also got to build a deck in two days. The one thing that is so wonderful about Hinton is what is around you: loving people that want to know you, breathe taking views, and God. At the end of the trip we got to visit a house that we wired last year. We were in shock that the house's power actaully worked. It sent chills down my back just knowing we helped build their house. Thanks for letting me share :D

Sam Jensen from MT. Tabor UMC in Winston-Salem

I, my mom and other people from my church went to Hinton Rural Life Center in Hayesville, NC. The first 2 days we went to Ms. Popular's house. We painted the inside of her house and put plastic around the the trailer. The last 2 days we went to Mr. Guffey's house. Mt Guffey is an old man who is poor. He lives in a log cabin by himself. He has a wheelchair. He has 2 pitiful dogs with lots of fleas. We built a ramp for him to get on his porch, put tar on his roof so water could not get in and cleaned his bathroom, which had mushrooms in it ! I learned to help people do things. I would love to do it again. It made my proud.

Christina Pardo from Calvary Chapel of the Triad in Kernersville

What I did on my summer missions trip...Since I have been back from Peru, I miss it there so much already. Peru and the people there stole my heart. Traveling there and serving was the best thing I have ever done in my entire life. Everyday was just so amazing. I can not even explain it; I am not sure how to even put it into words. Eleven of us went to Lima, Peru for 8 days. We stayed at the church in Lima, we traveled to different locations throughout our trip, first was a village called Santa Rosa which was an hour away, then Ica which was four hours, and Canete which was two hours. Each place we went to was so special. We went out into the streets and gave tracks to people, ministered to them and invited them and the children to the church service. We mostly ministered to the kids. We did projects with them showing them the love of Jesus Christ. My memories of Peru are too much to write but just my first day walking up the mountain in Santa Rosa changed my life. I have seen things on TV before but to see what I saw with my own eyes will never go away. The people there live in really poor conditions. We walked through the village on dirt roads, dirt and garbage everywhere. The houses they lived in where like little shacks made out of some kind of tree leaves, I am not sure. Some of the children were home alone, very young, they had to take care of themselves while the parents were away at work or wherever. The women washed clothes in buckets and there was no electricity. There was an amazing peace there, even though they lived that way. There was one thing missing and that is Love, just the One Love. Most of them do not know the Love of Jesus. The first kids we ministered to were home alone and we shared the good news of Jesus with them and they prayed the salvation prayer. I wonder why I never saw the need before. I guess until it was right in front of my face I was just ignorant to it. We have so much here in the US; so much stuff and we can be so selfish.

Charles L. Shoaf from Sheets Memorial Baptist in Lexington

What I did on my summer missions trip...This summer I went with Endzone Youth Ministries to Sao Paulo, Brazil. Our team of 15 (11 students and 4 leaders) helped serve Steven, Dave, and their families. These 2 families are full time missionaries serving in Sao Paulo. From the start, our motto was "It’s not about me," and we were able to keep that philosophy true throughout our ten day trip. While in Brazil, we helped build a new church building and spent four days doing VBS. The building that Steven and Dave’s church had been meeting in on Sundays was no more than a garage and at a typical service was full of people. Recently, they had been given the opportunity to buy a larger piece of property just up the street. This new property was essentially a larger garage with bathrooms, a large open area that would become the sports court, and an additional three story building that would become a Sunday school area and fellowship hall. The girls in our group worked on sanding and painting the new bathrooms, while the guys added new dirt to the future sports court and poured the new cement floor in the future Sunday school area. The VBS we ran was a huge hit with kids throughout the community. One girl accepted Jesus as her Savior during this time, and other children are now attending Steven and Dave’s church regularly and bringing their parents with them. This is just a small overview of the great things the Lord was able to do through us in Sao Paulo. Please pray that the Lord will continue to bless this church as it grows.

Willis Bradley Jones from First Baptist Church in Mocksville

The high schoolers in our youth group went to Chicago through Youthworks for our summer mission trip. We drove, and it took FOREVER! The drive took to days, and we spent the night at our youth pastor's seminary in Kentucky. To get to the seminary, we had to take a really windy road, with two one-lane bridges. We actually met a car on one of them, which was kind of scary. I think that the drive took about 18 hours.  There were four groups at our site: us, a group from South Dakota, Pittsburgh, and i think another one from Pennsylvania. The groups were split up, and several of my friends and I worked with the group from Pittsburgh. We were painting