So, remember those childhood trips or vacations? Maybe it was something ‘big’ like Disneyland or the World’s Fair. Maybe it was just a long fishing weekend at the lake or a bug-infested campout with the cousins. Either way, the anticipation, the planning and the talking about it was half the fun.
This diverse, radical, fun-loving, Christ-centric small group started tossing around the idea of and talking about the possibility of a mission trip. It was over a year in the making. Could we, would we really do this? How would it be feasible for everyone? I mean we’re old, we’re young, some work, some don’t, some married, some single, some in great health, some getting parts replaced! How could we organize such diversity into a mission trip? But we talked and theorized and came to the conclusion that all things are possible through Christ. First we had to believe we could and believe God would guide us to serve in his honor.
Now keep in mind, this group is about 66% energy and enthusiasm and about 33% focus and application. Throughout each of us though, Christ is our cornerstone. We laugh, we cry, we hug, we eat, we serve, we pray, we learn and all in the name of Christ. We knew, if we put our minds and hearts to this, we’d be able to accomplish it. So the research began; we thought domestic for sure – sort of like a ‘test drive’ and ‘not too long’, as well. We wondered if each other were as much on board and committed as it seemed. The amazing thing about this small group – we’re like a physics experiment. Get the mass rolling downhill and we’re 100% moving together toward the finish line.
Luckily, depending on your perspective – we found John who is part of the Global Impact team at Resurrection. Yes, patient, calm, tireless, and did I mention patient, John. After a couple of introductory, info-gathering meetings, we started talking reality. Seriously, we were really on-board and really going to do this thing. We are a cohesive group and routinely remark that our meeting and bonding is not an accident, but surely the work of God in our lives.
After some round table discussion, it seems that Denver, CO is the destination and with the help of John and the domestic serve team at Resurrection – we committed. A little more training, more paperwork, a little education, more planning and we’re set. But wait, we can’t miss opening weekend of the new sanctuary and oh yes, we need to wait until after Easter. How about the very end of April? YES, let’s plan for a nice Spring weekend in Denver – weather should be lovely about then. It’ll be warmer, more Spring-like. (oh noooo – week prior had forecasts of 1-3” of snow and temps in the 20’s and 30’s!)
So we’re set – Denver it is and end of April, we’ll go. 100% planned participation. As life would have it, our darling Jackie had knee replacement surgery just one month prior to departure and things didn’t go quite as smoothly, or should we say painlessly as planned. A couple of 10 hr drives and days of standing and walking and working weren’t what the doctor ordered! She’ll be missed most certainly – but it’s always wise to leave someone responsible behind to pray for the rest, right?
We’re like giddy kids, excited to travel together, excited about what the weekend will bring. And we routinely commit to our personal mission – to know, love and serve God. 
