Destination Known, a mission team from EUM Church in Greenville, Ohio, sent a group of twelve people to Sutton, Alaska for their third annual Alaskan mission trip. During the weeklong trip, the team was able to serve the residents of Sutton in some very practical ways. The team went into the community to serve the locals by cutting and splitting fire wood, cutting grass, debarking logs and helping the local pastor put a new roof on his house before the harsh cold winter sets in.“My God moment for the week,” says Cliff Rapier, mission coordinator for the team, “was visiting and working at Eric’s house again. Eric is an elderly gentleman from Germany that has faced many obstacles in his life, such as the harsh winters in Alaska and many health problems. He is someone that has always done things himself and his way. Up until this year, Eric would not allow anyone to enter his home. I saw a huge change in him this year; his home was open to anyone who wanted to enter. As I talked with Eric in his home, it was apparent that all the work we did for him was secondary to the fact that what he really wanted was someone to talk to. As I started to go back outside to work, he took me by my hand and led me to his front room where he asked to just sit and talk. We spent more than half an hour talking about the plans he has for his home and the many different jobs he has held in his lifetime. Eric has a gentle soul and I pray for him often.”
Sue Brandenburg, one of the mission team members says, “The mission trip was an awesome experience for me. Just being able to be there and listen to the stories about the lives of the people we served and realizing how much harder their lives are compared to mine has given me a new perspective on life. I share my stories and pictures with others often and hope that it might inspire others to serve on a mission team.” Destination Known is already planning mission trips for 2015. They include:
- Guatemala – The team will build a home for a family that lives on the inactive section of the city garbage dump.
- Give Kids the World, Florida – The team will spend time serving children with terminal or life threatening illnesses and their families.
- Alaska – The team will complete service projects for the local residents.
- Haiti – The team will serve in an orphanage and do some light construction projects.
- Guatemala Christmas Gifts – A collection of one gallon size zip lock bags filled with small toys and other gift items will be taken to Guatemala to hand deliver in December.
One of the greatest opportunities we, as God’s people, have is to experience first-hand what it means to serve the “least of these.” To walk a mile in someone else’s shoes can dramatically alter your perspective and allow you to see the world as God sees it with a bit more clarity.
If you are interested in learning more about any of these mission trips, please contact Cliff Rapier at crapier@eumchurch.org or visit our website at www.eumchurch.org.
Jeff Harper is Lead Pastor at EUM Church. EUM’s traditional worship service is held Sunday 9:45 am at the Downtown Campus at 111 Devor Street. There are four weekend contemporary worship services held Saturday at 6:30 pm and Sunday at 9:00, 10:30, and 11:59 am at the EUM Worship Center located at 1451 Sater Street (corner of Sater and Sebring-Warner Road) in Greenville, OH. Kidmunity Children’s Ministry is available for kids age birth through grade six at the 6:30 pm, 9:00, 10:30 and 11:59 am services. The Downtown Campus also houses our offices and preschool. For more information, go to www.eumchurch.org or call 548-3211.
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