Insights From My First Mission Trip

Recently I journeyed to Jalapa, Guatemala with a group from my local church for my first mission trip. This mission trip was divided into two groups. One would do ministry work such as Vacation Bible School, and provide medical services to the local population and the second group would aid a local church with construction projects. Even though I have trouble assembling toys on Christmas morning, I signed up for the construction team. I did my best to keep my mind clear of preconceived notions of what I would encounter, and arrived open mined to experience whatever God would present to me on this mission trip. I came away with three distinct lessons and hope by sharing them I can positively impact others to take that first step, encourage those who go on a regular basis and give people a glimpse of God's work in Jalapa.

Home in the Japala Dump

First, God revealed to me I had no idea what I was praying about. I like many, thanked God for my abundance. I thanked Him for my food, conveniences, a great home and safe place to live. After all, I knew how others lived. I saw poverty and violence on television, read about it in the paper, heard others talk about it after their mission trips to Africa. Yes, I was thankful, because I knew what doing without was like. Wrong! Until you actually see with your own eyes, families living in a dump, knowing their children have to go out when the trucks arrive to scavenge for food or anything else of value, I promise you do not know poverty. It slapped me in the face and was a real spiritual awakening. It was if all my words before were just meaningless ramblings meant to make me feel better, look at me God, I'm thankful. Now I better understand what I am praying about and my prayers of thanksgiving carry much more meaning.

Children of Jalapa, smiles of hope

Secondly, despite the despair of families living in the dump or on the outskirts in makeshift homes with meager belongings their is hope. Yes God is everywhere, but we have to call on him through
our words and actions and in any situation we put God in there is hope. I did not feel overwhelmed or that our work was pointless. I felt his presence, and could see the hope in the eyes of the people we were serving. This trip taught me no matter the circumstances, forget how bleak things are, do not focus on the size of the challenge, just bring God into the situation, where there is God there is hope!

I'm on the right, Hector in the middle mixing concrete

Finally, be open to experience what God wants you to, not what you think you should experience. Well that's confusing, so I'll try to explain. As I mentioned earlier, I went on this trip with what I thought was an open mind, but I was working construction so my "God moment" of the trip would be construction related, right? Nope, the last night we were there, our praise minister Matt O'Rear asked me to give my testimony on tape. I was going to tell him of this great feat and God sized task we had accomplished on the job site. As he was setting up the camera and sound equipment, I was casually chatting with one of the local men (Hector) who helped us pour a concrete floor. I asked him if he was staying for the church service we were about to have after I gave my awesome testimony. Hector said yes, it was very important for him to praise God and proceeded to tell me his story. Even tough he was a skilled construction worker, he had been unemployed for an extended period. In fact, his own family had even turned and started calling him lazy. He cried out to God the Saturday we arrived and said lord I want to work, please help me find a job! On Monday morning he went out looking for work and saw our vans pull up to the construction site. He asked the local foreman if he needed help and the reply was no. The church only had money to pay two locals to help us and those positions were taken. Hector could speak a little English and as he walked away, he said "have a nice day" to one of our team members. The team member talked to Hector and found out he had extensive experience with concrete and since we were putting in a slab floor agreed to pay Hector out of his own pocket. Hector turned out to be one of our best workers and his contribution to our project cannot be overstated. He was also able to network with other locals and had a painting job lined up when we left and probably more construction work with the church. His eyes were full of pride as he talked about how God had answered his pleas. He had money in his pocket, had paid back a small loan to his uncle and was able to take care of his daughter. Matt came over and said he was ready to tape, I said forget me, you have to tape Hector's story. You see it really wasn't about me and my "God moment" of the trip was another man's testimony.


These few insights only scratch the surface of what I leaned on this trip. It was a life changing experience and I encourage those that go on mission trips on a regular basis to continue going and share you experiences and for those that have never been on a mission trip, what are you waiting for? Not only will you make a difference and bring positive change to a place outside your normal environment, it will positively change you, that I can promise!

Link to Faces of Jalapa video: Faces of Jalapa

One Small Step for Mankind, One Giant Leap for Me (Apologies to the late Neil Armstrong)

I twisted Neil Armstrong’s famous words as he became the first human to step on the moon to reflect my feelings as I prepare to take my first mission trip in a few days. Yes, in just 3 days I’m heading to Jalapa, Guatemala with a group from my home church. I thought if I wrote about what brought me to this point, maybe it would help others take the leap, get outside their comfort zones and proclaim their faith to others, while at the same time learning how different people live and view the world.

After a few church-less years in my twenties and early thirties, I was moved (I believe my mom’s ceaseless prayers were answered) to find a church home and raise my 2 young boys in a positive, Christian environment. I found a great church close to home, connected with the pastor and became a member of Effort Baptist Church in Fluvanna County. Right away, my wife became very active, signing up for small groups and taking Bible classes. I kind of eased into things but soon became as involved as her. As my boys got older my wife began to go on mission trips with them. They picked up trash locally, built access ramps and repaired roofs in North Carolina and even repaired homes after Hurricane Katrina. In the past few years she has gone to Puerto Rico and Guatemala always returning with great stories about what God was doing through the mission groups. I watched all of this and thought it sounded great, I even told myself I need to go on a mission trip.

Every year, in February or so, our church would post the list of places where they would be sending mission teams. And each year I would read the list, pray over it and nothing. Yes God had a plan for me and wanted me to step out, but the time wasn’t right. I mean if I was really called to serve I would feel the spirt leading me, right? Well I started attending Effort in the fall of 1995 and still no mission trip. This year was different though. The list was posted as usual, I looked it over and said that’s it, I’m going and put my finger on Guatemala. Funny thing is, once I made the decision I actually felt moved to go and the apprehension of stepping outside my comfort zone began to fade away and I am filled with excitement, eager to share my faith, work with others, and learn about another culture. I will be taking a notebook and I intend to post about my experience when I return.

So if like me, you are looking for a place to serve, whether it is at your church, a local construction project or a mission trip to another country. Go ahead take the leap, sometimes we are waiting for God to move us when He just wants us to move!

Local Author Reveals Young Jefferson

Living in close proximity to Thomas Jefferson’s birthplace and his Monticello home, many Central Virginians probably think they know the story of Jefferson and how he grew to become a founding father, vice-president, president, founder of the University of Virginia and an all-around brilliant scholar.

Local author Jayne D’Alessandro-Cox was curious about young Jefferson’s childhood and what influences he encountered as he grew up to become one of our nation’s greatest historical figures.  

Much to the author’s surprise, she could find very little on young Jefferson. Most of the books, and historical documents she read went into great detail on Jefferson’s adult life and his many accomplishments, but his younger years were glossed over. That peaked the author’s curiosity even more and that’s when she decided to research and write a book on young Thomas Jefferson.

In Thomas Jefferson-From Boy to Man, Jayne D’Alessandro-Cox illustrates how the interactions of friends, family, mentors and even failed love influenced Jefferson and sheds light on an often neglected part of the Jefferson story. Thoroughly researched, and illustrated with rare photographs, this is a must read for Jefferson history buffs or those just interested in learning more about the history of central Virginia and one of our most beloved founding fathers.

D’Alessandro-Cox will be at the Jefferson Pharmacy’s 5^th anniversary celebration on Thursday March 13^th from 4:30-6:30 for a book signing of Thomas Jefferson-From Boy to Man. Come meet the author and learn more about the man and our historically rich part of Virginia! More information on the book and author can be found here: http://www.jaynedalessandrocox.com/