From Buffalo Gap to Kapichila...

There is no lack of debate as to the value of short-term mission trips.  We believe that every believer, that is physically capable, should be active in international mission work in some capacity.    We believe this because not only are we commanded in Scripture (Acts 1:8, Matthew 28:18-20, among many others)  to go, but believe that it is part of the maturation process of each believer.  It is extremely common to hear believers say at the end of mission trips that perhaps the greatest work accomplished was in their personal relationship with Christ. 

I will concede that there is great possibility for short-term missions to turn into "sanctified tourism".  I also will admit that there is the potential for misguided individuals or organizations to turn short term missions into a profit making scheme.   To this my response is two-fold.  First, it is to give each person and organization the benefit of the doubt.  As I tell my children, "We can only speak to a persons actions, not their motives."  Second, I believe the onus is on the one who is putting down the dollars to evaluate their motives, the purposes of the mission trip and the missionary or mission agency that they will partner with.  Besides, that's just good stewardship, isn't it?  

With that being said, we just hosted our first mission team and we tried to be very intentional about how they were used.  We know that their participation came with sacrifices.  People sacrificed possessions for yard sales as they raised their support.  Others sacrificed their time to make things to sell.  Some gave their airline miles.  Their church sacrificed the leadership of their pastor and worship leader for two Sunday's.  (And we all know that when staff members are absent others have to step up and fill in for them).  Team members sacrificed finances, vacation days and time with family.  It was a step of faith for team members, for their families, and for their church.  We wanted to make sure that when they stepped back into the line at immigration returning to the States that they felt their sacrifices were worth it… and we believe they were.  

Here's a picture of the team when they arrived: (Click on any of the pictures below to enlarge them)

And another picture after they had a shower and good nights sleep:

A group of 5 pastors and David prayed about where God would have us use this team.  They decided that a small "town" of about 2,000 people named Kapichila would be the best use for them.  Kapichila is about a 2 hour bike ride from another church named Central Baptist.  Central has assumed responsibility for this new church start in Kapichila and has already held two Sunday services there.  Each week they will be sending a couple of leaders to lead in their service and disciple so that those in Kapichila will eventually begin to lead themselves.  This group, from Buffalo Gap, TX, are already making plans to come back again next year to work in Kapichila doing evangelism in the mornings and discipleship training in the afternoons.  They are looking at a 3 year partnership so they can really invest in this church plant.  

Around 8:00 each morning, after their personal devotions, the team would gather for a briefing on the story from the Bible they would be telling that day.  We would discuss how this story would apply to the lives of those they would be sharing the story with.  Here is a picture of David briefing the team before their departure: 

All 8 of the team, plus David, would pile into the Landcruiser and head to Kapichila.

But before they left Lundazi they would stop by the market to buy some meat and some veggies for lunch that day.

Here is a picture of the town center as you come into Kapichila.  

 We would drive to the place our translators were staying in Kapichila each morning so David could meet with them and get any updates.  The chief requested that each morning two of the translators would go to meet him and give him any updates from the previous days work.  Also, in the afternoons, many were stopping by to meet the translators and discuss more in depth the stories that were told to them or to receive some counseling with people who wanted to discuss their problems.  Here is a picture of the team with the translators:

After a quick meeting with the translators we broke the team up into four teams and sent them in different areas of Kapichila.  Each day they would tell a new story, each of which was laying a foundation to share the Gospel.  Here are a few pictures of the teams as they went out:

David went with a different team each day so that he would know where to direct members of Central Baptist as they followed up with people who made decisions to follow Christ or wanted more information on becoming a believer or joining them in worship.  Here is a pic of David having fun with some kids:  

By the end of the week over 250 people had heard at least one story from the Bible (most of them multiple stories), 112 heard a presentation of the Gospel and 6 decided to follow Christ.  Their first Sunday service in Kapichila 26 people came together to hear the Word of God along with 3 of the translators.  Here are a couple of pictures of those who decided to follow Christ with a couple of the team members:  

 After several hours out sharing a story from the Bible we would gather back together for lunch with our translators:

Here is a picture of the wonderful cook who prepared our meals for us:

After lunch we headed back to Lundazi for a quick break (typically 30 minutes) and then part of the team headed out to one of the local churches (we have 5 churches within 1.5 hours of us).  In the afternoons they shared the story of Jesus calming the storm or the story of the prodigal son.  This served two purposes.  First, to give them an opportunity to be encouraged and challenged by the Word of God.   But also so that they might see the storying method in action so they can begin to use this as a way of sharing their faith with others.  Here are a few pictures from the afternoons:

Here is one of David translating for the team the story of Jesus calming the storm:

On our way home in the afternoons, if time allowed, we stopped to take a few pictures:

Here David is laying on the ground trying to get the best picture possible: 

We even spotted the hippos in the river as you come into Lundazi.  Only half the team got to see them, and the other half took little consolation in the fact that this was the first time we have seen them even though we have lived here for 18 months! 

When half of the team went out to an existing church to teach in the afternoons, the other half of the team stayed back to play with our kids, study their stories for the following day, or get some much needed rest: 

While the team was out in the afternoons Heather was busy preparing dinner for them.  We had a friend, Brenda, come and help prepare the dinners as well.  They did a phenomenal job preparing delicious dinners.  The team was so grateful to them for the wonderful dinners (and desserts) they prepared.  

One of the highlights of the trip is when the team was able to worship with Central Baptist on Sunday:

Of course, what service is complete without a little dancing?

After the service there were plenty of opportunities for pictures:

The leader of the team and pastor of the church is a friend from our days in seminary and in a newlywed class:  

We had a little down time Sunday afternoon and the afternoon before they left:

By the end of the week David was getting a little loopy:

But David wasn't the only one:

We are so grateful for the work this team from Buffalo Gap did in Kapichila. It would have taken months to get to all the homes that they reached in a weeks time.  Not only did they minister to the people in Kapichila, but to the other churches in the area.   The churches have been encouraged and are eager to start more churches in the coming months.