This past week I had the opportunity of joining a team from my church who headed down to Avenal, California to hold VBS for the Hispanic community there. I wasn't particularly looking forward to the trip as I didn't feel prepared and the majority of the group was highschoolers that I didn't have a whole lot in common with and didn't know very well. But on the other side of the trip, even though there were a lot of times throughout the week that were rough, I would choose to go again. I can't exactly explain what it was that was so amazing about the trip, but it was amazing and I came away so blessed from the experience and having learned so much that it was worth the stress that was involved.

Below is a letter that I wrote to be shared with my church family on my behalf since I won't be there to personally share about the trip at the missions sharing night.
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When I think about our trip to Avenal I am reminded of Hebrews 12:1,2 which says "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." These verses came to my mind Sunday morning as we were worshiping with the Hispanic church in Avenal. I was overwhelmed Sunday by the feeling that I was surrounded by the family of God. I didn't speak the same language as a lot of the people in the church but the love, friendship, and gratitude that was held out to each of the members of our team amazed me and I truly felt surrounded by a cloud of witnesses. I was really blessed to worship with one of the Hispanic churches in Avenal and I was also blessed to be able to serve them. I wondered the first day we spent in Avenal how we could possibly serve these people when they were giving so much to us but the VBS really was a means of ministering to them. The kids enthusiasm every day was great to see and it was a joy to spend time getting to know the kids and teach them and just be a friend for them during the week that we were there.
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The most amazing part of the trip was praying with a little girl to accept Christ into her heart. I've never lead anyone to Christ before and even though we'd been taught how to share Christ with someone I didn't really think the opportunity would arise, but it did. It was overwhelming to think that Christ could work through me to bring someone into his kingdom.