SHORT-TERM MISSIONS EXPERIENCED


Alex Pettett, World Witness Executive Director


It’s tempting to experience a STM trip, feel changed for a while, but then to carry on with life as usual. That’s why we want people to commit to STMs with a purpose of either exploring a call to life-long missions or prayerfully and financially supporting the missionaries or projects where the STM happens. If you are interested in exploring God’s call on your life in missions, please call Heiko Burklin, WW Mission Developer, or visit our website. Below are reports of three ARPs who participated in STMs.


Jeff and Ian


Every STM trip I’ve been part of has proven to be a huge blessing. Each individual team and experience uniquely impacted my life, including the English Camp in Berlin.


My son, Ian, and I were part of the team who joined Rebekah Carson and other missionaries to serve in Altglienicke, a locale in former East Berlin. The first day of camp, as we greeted students, I met a young man who seemed uncomfortable. In my attempts to communicate with him, I realized he was autistic. He navigated the morning with discomfort as he spent time with his assigned camp partner.


Throughout the week our teammate, who accompanied this young man, shared with us the camper’s daily struggles and progress. We prayed he would experience God’s grace, feel comfortable, loved, and see Jesus in his partner and the activities. The last day, as we talked to students and parents, I came face to face with this young man who was no longer physically closed off with eyes downcast. Instead, he was smiling and gave me a high five!


The Father heard our prayers, allowing our brother to minister with the love of Christ. Perhaps the greatest blessing of this trip was a reminder that there are no limits to what the Lord will do if we dare to ask and believe His promises!


Rev. Dr. Jeff Morrison First ARP Church, Gastonia


The English Camp left an impact on the small town of Altglienicke and in me. This was not only a time for practicing the English language, it was also a time for people from the church and people who have nothing to do with church, to come together for a week of relationship building. We were able to display the Body of Christ and engage in conversations about the Gospel. It is humbling to talk with people who know bits of your language, but you know nothing of theirs. Often, we looked like we were playing charades, as we tried to translate. The language barrier is exhausting for both sides, but it is a wonderful feeling when you reach a place of trust and find common ground.


The team demonstrated a mission mindedness with fellow team members and the community. This spurred me on and increased my desire for missions. One of the kids asked if we were all family! This shows how close our team became. We had special times praying with the kids and praying as a team. Please continue to pray for the work in Berlin.


Sarah Elizabeth Olson WW Short-term Missions


Joy in Rwanda


I committed to a month-long mission internship with the Bonilla family in Madrid this year, and to my surprise, the Lord provided an opportunity for the Bonillas to serve alongside Neely’s Creek Church in Rwanda, during the same timeframe. If the Lord had not called me to serve for what I thought would be a mission internship in Spain, I would not have had the opportunity to go with the Bonillas to Rwanda, where I met the most joyful, hospitable, relentless people.


Our team of 22 hosted a mid-morning VBS for nearly 360 children who attended Nyabihu Christian Academy, where we taught lessons about who God is. Benjamin Musuhukye is an International Ministry Associate (IMA) with WW and founder of Reach the Children of Rwanda International (RCRI) who started Nyabihu Christian Academy.


Afternoons were focused on home visits to families. We greeted them, asked about immediate and long-term needs, and prayed for them (with the help of interpreters). With most, we left clothes and sometimes a food bag. Some do not have a sturdy roof over their heads, probably sleep on the floor beside family members, don’t have enough to eat, and their sparse clothing may be tattered, covered in dirt. But, one thing I learned— their joy is not lacking. Those who seem to have nothing display the joy of those who have everything – joy flowing from the love and peace of Jesus Christ.


2019 English Camp


After a week of meeting the people of Nyabihu, one of my most heart-filling memories is worshipping with them on Sunday, as they danced, sang praises, and some accepted Jesus for the first time.


Lindsay Looper WW Mission Intern, Rwanda & Spain


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