Western North Carolina Mission Trip | Day 4: Full Hearts, Grateful Spirits
Today was a last full day working, as many of us are making our way back to Virginia Beach tomorrow. Some are staying for a half day to do some more work on the house before heading back to the beach.
With that said, today will be the last blog. When we get back in town, we will share more stories and photos for you.
Today our job was…
Painting!
Yes, something other than sanding and mudding. We started to put the primer coats on the walls and it really is starting to look put together. There was a lot going on at the house today. The waterline from the well to the house was being dug. Touchups outside were happening, but the majority of us were inside priming our little hearts out.
It’s hard to believe that this week is almost over. Our team has worked so well together. The things I’ll miss:
Being woken up by the smell of bacon every morning.
Working on a small bedroom in the house and imagining how she might decorate it when we are done.
The mountain air
Games and laughter around the table in the evening
Delicious dinners (James made his Meatballs and Sauce for us tonight)
Having deep and meaning conversations with our group and with the other groups we worked with
My heart really is full, and I know that I can speak for the rest of the group when I say that their hearts are full as well. We are already planning the next trip….I hope you will come with us!
Today’s challenge for the team was, “where in your life do you need to give yourself some grace.” I’m writing this before our devotion time, so I don’t know the answers the team will provide, but I do know they have been thinking about it and talking about it.
As followers of Christ, we work so heart to share our love for the Lord with everyone we meet. We work hard in mission and discipleship. But we can work so hard sometimes that we don’t offer ourselves the kind of grace we might offer others. We might not be as kind to ourselves. I hope you will pray on that as well.
As you know we have been looking at the Fruits of the Spirit this week: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The Spirit uses all of these fruits in order to draw us closer to each other and to God. This week we talked about how mission is so much more than just using our hands. It’s what we give in our hearts. It’s shared ministry experiences. It’s being present for yourself and for others.
We are closing this week on a wonderful note. Yes while a bit tired and sore, we are ready to come home refreshed in the Spirit.
Ok…I’m going to sign off now so I can be present with the group for the afternoon and evening.
With all our love,
Emma, Anne, Kenny, Connie, Mark, Emily, David, James, Joe, and Matt.
