SMC Reports in from Lichfield
The mission to Lichfield was absolutely outstanding. The leaders of the Thumbs Up Club and of Emmanuel Christian Center stole our hearts as did the kids we were serving! Each day was packed from start to finish with crafts, games, worship, and encounter for these kids. After the hard work was done we were privileged to be taken to the circus, cathedral, people’s houses. We as a team just had a greatly blessed time, full of fun and awesomeness. My only hope is that we as a unit have made some little kind of impact for the good, and blessed them in return.
David Gillies- 2nd year SMC
Before we've realized, we have hit Feb of 2011, which meant start of mission trips! Lichfield happened to be the first one this year and I'm telling you, it was mind blowing! We were helping with a 4 days long kids club. There was loads of crafts work, games, worship and God's love. The theme of the kids club was 'Do the right thing'; to present it in practice every day we were telling kids different story from the Bible. The first one was about Jonah and the whale, the second, David and Goliath and the last one was about the Good Samaritan. All of the stories were presented to kids in a very creative way through crafts, stories and skit's. I loved every single of those days even though I have pulled the muscle in both of my calf's while... well, dancing. The church we stayed at was awesome. We have soaked into the vision of it within a day and the hearts of the staff have made us feel welcomed, loved and appreciated. I have absolutely loved this mission, every minute of it was precious. I believe that God has done some amazing things in those kids’ hearts and left us encouraged to keep on working and serving!
Marta Bukat- 3rd year SMC
Well where do I start? IT WAS TOTALLY AWESOME!!! There that just about sums it up really. I had an amazing time working with Emmanuel Christian Center Church in Lichfield, doing the Thumbs Up Kids Club. We spent 4 days with the kids, doing crafts, children's worship and games. I really enjoyed being able to connect with the kids, staff, parents and Church. It was a great honor to serve them. I don't really have the words to describe what an amazing time I had, but if I did the words would fill many pages. I will just say that it was very fulfilling and I learned a lot about good leadership. Overall the mission was fantastic and each of us enjoyed every second of it.
Faith Oti- 1st year SMC
Wow is my first conclusion after these first few weeks. Going there hearing we would serve in a smaller town, I expected a farm type of church. But it was nothing like it, except for the straws that they made us wear on the first meeting. The people were incredible! They have a leadership team that is just incredible. They took really good care of the whole program and did an amazing job to organize this event. Everything was complete. When we came to help out, it really was just helping out. Which helped us as a team to fully focus on our responsibilities and give the best of what we could give in those areas. Beside that there was a great heart behind the work. There was a sense of mission behind the organization and a heart to reach out to the lost. Love and compassion are keywords to me. To be there for the kids and just give them a great time while they have vacation. It was just so much fun. This was inevitably seen throughout the days. Kids came back every day again to enjoy another day in the program. It was splendid to see. Altogether I loved working there. Even if it was just for the kids or the leadership team I would give it my all. They were more than worth it.
Jaap van der Hosrst- 3rd year MCAN Exchange student
