This is my first but certainly not my last mission trip. While anxiety and some apprehension creeped in prior to leaving on Sunday but being here in beautiful Mountain City ,TN, has been life-changing. While this community has been devastated by a hurricane, you certainly cannot tell by the hospitality and kindness that we have received since arriving.

Our Vineyard team has grown closer every day and has worked together beautifully. The mornings are chilly, but we have been blessed to have sun come out every day to highlight the beautiful fall colors on the mountains.

We have been so blessed to start each day with hot breakfast, food to pack our lunches, coffee, and when we come back tired and dirty to an amazing home-cooked dinner. All of this is thanks to Robin and Cheryl (World Compassion Network volunteers) who get up early and make sure we everything we need to have energy and strength to go out into the community to do God’s work.

Miss Jules home

We returned to finish the insulation in the attic today and were greeted again by Miss Jules and her amazing faith. Once we were done we had to say goodbye to her. We received songs, kind words and prayer. We know she will be warm this winter and have decreased energy bills which will ease her mind.

Retaining wall house

With the retaining wall finally complete, the team did some drywall work, hung gutters, installed a door and cleaned. It took some ingenuity to get the job done but all workers were did well in the process.

House #3

This home was in need of some metal skirting. The team got down in the dirt and got the project started. They will go back to tomorrow to complete the project so it will be ready for the upcoming winter weather.

Community dinner

This was the highlight of the day! The First Christian church had a carry in dinner, and it was amazing! Lasagna, garlic bread, salad and so much more was enjoyed by all. Curtis, who leads the local mission, spoke to all of us about Jesus’ missionaries and our role as modern day missionaries to spread God’s love and word. DeWayne, who is a leader in the First Christian Church, spoke and shared prayer requests. We received prayer requests about surgeries, new homes beginning to be built, and for a baptism this Sunday.

One of the most touching moments of the night happened to our mission team member Myranda. There was a delivery to the church, and Myranda asked the delivery woman if she needed prayer for anything, something she has never done before and completely out of her comfort zone. The woman said yes and shared that her 5-year-old daughter has been missing for two weeks. In that moment the delivery became more than just an act of service. It became an opportunity to offer prayer, compassion and a reminder that she did not have to face a frightening time alone. Sometimes God places us exactly where we need to be--not because we have all the answers, but so we can show his love, listen and pray with someone who is hurting. I ask that you please join us in praying for this mother and the safe return of her daughter.

Tomorrow will be another adventure, and we can’t wait to see what God has in store for us.