This is the fourth year that we have taken a group of 6th graders (rising 7th graders) down to Norfolk/VA Beach for a mission trip. This trip is intended to introduce the kids to the idea and importance of mission trips. We will expose them to different kinds of poverty in our Hampton Roads community and give them opportunities to wrestle with what God might be telling them. The trip began as we all gathered at the Chapel to check-in and get ready to leave. We gathered in a circle to send the team off in prayer and then we loaded up the buses and headed down to our housing site in VA Beach, Spring Branch Community Church. Spring Branch has become a close partner to the Chapel in many ways over the years. Not only is Travis Simone's father the lead pastor of Spring Branch, but the Chapel has also partnered with them for conferences, youth retreats, and staff retreats. Spring Branch has a really cool student area with a room where the Norfolk team can hangout with video games, a pool table, foosball tables, and couches. Thus, upon arrival, the entire Norfolk team was super excited to enjoy some pizza and free time with all these fun activities.
After getting settled and enjoying some sweet fellowship, the team gathered for their first "porch time." Porch time is our evening gathering, which we have on every Chapel mission trip, and its purpose is to take time to remember moments from the day, sing worship songs, and listen to a talk that helps us process our experience. For the Norfolk team, this was most of the team's first ever porch time and it was beautiful to watch them sing songs to God and diligently take notes as Luke talked from Luke 10 about why we go on mission trips and how to get the most out of our time in Norfolk. Luke 10:1-17 is the story of when Jesus sends out 72 of his followers on their own mission trip. Jesus specifically says that he is sending them out "like lambs among wolves." Luke talked about how Jesus purposefully intends for us to try new things that may cause discomfort or fear, like a lamb would feel near a wolf. However, Luke challenged the team to not to let discomfort or fear keep them from doing the things that God wants them to do. Instead we need to be willing to trust God and let God use us even if we are hesitant to act.
Finally, we ended the night with small groups. It was great to have an opportunity to pause and begin conversations that will carry through the whole weekend about God. Please continue to pray that every kid would take the opportunity to ask a question they've always wanted to ask or open up in a new way that might allow them to deepen their relationship with God. It has been a wonderful first evening of the trip and the entire team is excited to start serving tomorrow.
