The summer is off and running. June flew by as the days were filled with weeks of Christian camp, Vacation Bible Schools and mission trips. Here is a little more about what’s been happening:2009 Mission Journeys
Several of this year’s Mission Journeys took place in June with more coming in July. While the trips have be going very well, nothing has been easy about this year’s trips.
The struggles began last fall. The economic recession in our country had many people worried about their money. As a result, Mission Journey volunteers were much more hesitant in committing to going on a short-term mission trip this year.
Our international trips took the biggest hit as people opted for staying inside the United States for a less-expensive project.
The primary focus of our international efforts this year was to be in the Central American country of Honduras, with two teams scheduled to go their this summer.
Our first team led by Ken Henderson (June 18-28) had a great trip.
Ken wrote, “My team did a GREAT work in Honduras for people in GREAT need. God is surely more pleased than I am, and I am thrilled at all that was accomplished. A special thanks to JD Miller for heading up the music contest, and the Madeline Hicks for heading up the dental clinics, and to John Walker and Gay Patton for heading up the medical clinics. Thanks to every other trip member and thanks to the Mission for their excellent organization and care of us while we were there.”
As the team neared time for their departure, a sense of political unrest and uncertainty developed in Honduras. The president of Honduras was removed from office by the military, with the president of the congress being appointed as president to serve until the elections to be held in November.
The team, however, was able to return home at their scheduled time, June 28th.
The instability in the country led us to reschedule the second team (July 16-25) to Saltillo, Mexico, where they will be working on a Christian camp outside of the city with Ernesto Fuentes.
Ernesto was thrilled to have a team coming to work with him. The spring’s H1N1 “swine flu” virus news from Mexico had all but wiped out the chances of his mission receiving any visitors this summer.
Our stateside projects had their fair share of hurdles to overcome, too.
One of our host missionaries on the Yakama Reservation in Washington learned she had terminal cancer. Please keep Jerry & My McNew in your prayers!
Two other missionary couples are having some serious marital problems. I do not wish to name them. However, please keep them in your prayers, too.
A full-time ministry worker on the San Carlos Apache Reservation in Arizona wrote me in early June saying, “The situation right now requires a great deal of prayer. Between 22-30 teens/adults (Native Americans we work with) have attempted suicide in the past month, several succeeding. Two added to this number just this week.”
I am reminded of 1 Peter 5:8, “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil roams around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
However, I take comfort in 1 John 4:4, “the one that is in you is greater than the one that is in the world.”
Camp/VBS
Along with the Mission Journeys, the VBS/Camp season is in full swing, too.
Teen Mission was the mission for VBS at our home church, Gardenside Christian Church (Lexington, KY), June 14-19.
GCC Children’s Director Shannon Hatfield did a great job with her 1st VBS @ GCC. There were over 80 children in attendance most every night; several of them were not from a church background.
It was one of the best evangelistic things we’ve done at Gardenside in a long time.
The offering for Teen Mission, USA, was $800!
The following week (June 21-25), I represented Teen Mission as the missionary for a Junior High week of camp at Butler Springs Christian Camp near Hillsboro, OH.
In all, TM is the mission for 6 Vacation Bible Schools and 11 weeks of church camp this summer.
NACC (June 30-July 03)
This year’s North American Christian Convention was held close to home in Louisville, KY.
It was good to have Kelly and Autumn attend with me this year. Meredith had a week of camp at Blue Grass Christian Camp and stayed with her Grandma.
We were able to “connect” with lots of old friends and meet some new ones as well.
It was especially good to spend some time with Denford Chizanga and family. Denford ministers in his native country of Zimbabwe, Africa. He and his wife (Shingi) help develop church leaders and plant new churches. Gardenside and my Sunday School class (the LIFE class) support their ministry efforts there.
Denford spoke at Gardenside on Sunday night, June 28th. He, Shinigi and daughter Hannah (15 mos) stayed a few nights in Lexington and rode up to the NACC with my family.
We’d love to bring a mission team to visit them in Zimbabwe sometime in the next few years.
THANKS again for your prayers, support and encouragement!
In Him,
Greg Herriford (Teen Mission, USA)
