2009 Mission Journeys

Even though we’re not far into the New Year, the 2009 Mission Journeys are already well underway.
Back in October, a newsletter was mailed out to over 7,000 churches and individuals. Since then, we’ve been hearing back from several people interested in taking part. We're looking to have 30-35 trips and around 550 participants.

This year’s theme is “Heroes,” playing off the popular NBC TV series with the same name.
The TV show features characters with supernatural powers doing larger-than-life acts of heroism.
However, we hope to encourage folks to stretch their faith through the Mission Journeys and be a hero to someone else in the name of Lord, Jesus Christ.
Doing this may involve a simple act like giving a needy child a much-needed hug or loving those who society does not love.

As we now head toward the end of January, things are really starting to pick up with the 2009 edition of Mission Journeys.

Our annual Coordinator’s Retreat will be held on Thursday, January 29th at First Church of Christ (Burlington, KY). This meeting is to help train those leading one of our Mission Journeys. The items covered are critical for those leading short-term mission trips for Teen Mission, USA.

Also, the first mission trip of the year is only a few weeks away.
Our own Chuck Perry will be leading a group to Haiti (February 05-14) working with Kendell & Yvrose Johnson and the Dufailly Christian Mission. Kendell was part of our 1st-ever Mission Journey team in 1985 (to Haiti). He fell in love with Haiti and later returned as a full-time missionary.
Our team plans on helping with the construction of a new church building for the Dufailly Christian Church, which began in May, 2004, as a result of the mission work of Kendell & Yvrose.
The church currently meets in a 21’ x 14’ tin shed, but the team plans on helping construct a nice 18’ x 24’ block building.
While there, the team will also do a VBS for several hundred children in the afternoon and hold a week-long revival at night.

There’s still room for you on to join a team or project in 2009!
Let us know what kind of location you had in mind and we can work with your dates, matching you up with one of our partner communities.
Visit the Mission Journeys web site at http://www.missionjourneys.org/ to see our current 2009 trip list. That will give you a better idea of what communities/locations we’re working in.

In Him,
Greg Herriford (Teen Mission, USA)

Teen Mission Notes (December, 2008)

We’re already a couple of weeks into the New Year and I hope and pray all is going well for you.
December is probably the slowest month of the year for us at Teen Mission.
We’re usually out of the office a good bit around the Holidays.
It’s a good time, however, to catch your breath and get recharged for the year ahead.

December was a month of both highs and lows.
The month started on a high note.
Gardenside Christian Church (Lexington, KY) celebrated its 50th Anniversary on Sunday, December 7th.
It was a great day.
We had packed house and several past members were on hand to celebrate. In all, over 700 people took part in the festivities.
Gardenside is my home church.
I learned about Jesus there and eventually accepted him and was baptized there.
I am not only a member, but also a teacher, timothy and elder at Gardenside. It would be a great understatement to say the church has meant a lot to me.
I can not adequately express my gratitude for all the blessings.

On Monday, December 8th, my brother and sister-in-law’s 8-day old baby boy passed away. He was born a few months early on November 29th and had been fighting an uphill battle.
Jaxon had climbed a few major hurdles, however, and had been having a few good days in a row. He seemed to be in the clear.
I, along with several others, felt like he was going to make it.
His health went downhill really fast on Monday morning, though, and that's what caught everyone off guard.
God had other plans and Jaxon went home to be with his heavenly father instead.
Because of this, it has been a really tough time for my family. Please continue to keep them in your prayers.

Our 4th Annual Appalachian Christmas Project held December 12-14, 2008, went very well. You can read more in a previous post.

This year, I had a MERRY CHRISTMAS and was able to spend some time with family and folks I really care a lot about.
We got together with my Mom & Dad on December 24th, my Aunt Anna Lois in Russell Springs, KY, on December 25th and Kelly’s family on December 26th.

There were many difficulties for many people this year.
Many people are glad that 2008 is over.
As 2008 comes to a close, though, we can look back and see the many ways the Lord has blessed this year.
Let’s pray for each other as we begin a new year!

We’re looking forward to working with many you again in 2009.
May God richly bless our efforts!

In Him,
Greg Herriford (Teen Mission, USA)