Trip Report - Mini-trip #1
Saturday, February 2
At 8:00am sharp, the mission team headed out on the first of two "mini-trips" – this one to Hastings, FL where we joined up with Brother Jeb Smith and God's Way Baptist Church for a weekend packed full of ministry, missions preparation, and fun.
Saturday’s key task was 6 solid hours of door-to-door evangelism in 2 different areas: the town of Hastings and an area known as Flagler Estates or "10,000 acres." The team was divided into 4 groups and each was assigned a certain quadrant. With few exceptions, the team found the people generally receptive and had many open doors to present the gospel message as well as extend an invitation to visit God's Way Baptist Church. As a result of these conversations, we were able to make a handful of contacts for Brother Jeb to follow up on later.
That evening, the team enjoyed a hearty cookout and some games in "The Barn" at the Smith family's farm before heading back to the church house to prepare for the next morning and (try to) get some rest.
Sunday, February 3
The mission team was responsible for every aspect of the service Sunday morning. The meeting began with a teen leading the congregation in song from the pulpit and another providing accompaniment at the piano. Next, Brother Lew Carney laid out our plans for the mission trip to Honduras and asked for the people of God's Way Baptist Church to join us in prayer regarding the trip. The entire mission team then recited and sang several scripture verses dealing with God's simple plan of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ without works, and the new life we have in Jesus Christ.
The testimonies and preaching were preceded by a duet from two of the young men and a beautiful solo from one of the young ladies. To conclude the service, each of the young men on the team gave a brief testimony and/or preached a short Bible message focusing on the need of the lost for salvation and the need for the saved to go out and evangelize. Every aspect of the service was indeed a blessing.
After another meal at "The Barn," we joined God’s Way Baptist for some public ministry at the one traffic light in "downtown" Hastings and thus fulfilled a desire Brother Jeb has had since he started the church – to fill every corner of that intersection with smiling faces proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ.
A tired crew headed arrived back in DeLand just after 4:00 Sunday afternoon.
Purpose
The purpose of the mini-trips is to provide some form of preparation for our week in Honduras. Mini-trip #1 simulated a mission trip environment in the following ways:
• 6 hours of door-to-door witnessing with no bathroom breaks or 7-Eleven stops
• W alking up to 200 and 300 yards at times to get to the next door
• Camping out "sardine style" Saturday night in 2 separate Sunday school rooms
• 14 people, 2 bathrooms, 1 shower, COLD water
The one way in which we did not simulate a missions trip was the enormous amount of wonderful food provided by the people God's Way Baptist Church. Not often does one return from a missions trip with extra pounds.
Our heart-felt thanks to Brother Jeb and God's Way Baptist Church for a great weekend in the service of the Lord and the fellowship of the brethren!
