A Mission Reflection

To all,

I would like to thank each of you for an amazing experience. The personal and spiritual gifts received during our time together are too numerous to list so I would like to offer one more devotion and prayer,

The True Measure of a Mission Trip’s Success = Relationships

In general when we look back at a typical mission trip we tend to recite values. We traveled x number of miles, through x number of cities/countries, completing x number of task, provided x bags of donations, etc… Sounds familiar I’m sure.

After spending 9 days traveling to and around Peru, and after an afternoon chat with our PCUSA missionary representative Rusty Edmondson, I now understand that the only values you can assign to a mission trips success are the number of laughs, hugs, songs sung, meals shared, games played, and memories made. These are the important statistics because they are what ultimately lead to relationships being formed, nurtured and trusted.

As a newcomer to the trip I was unsure what to expect, or what lie ahead. I was prepared to work along side our Peruvian brothers and sisters and provide some relief from the physical burdens that come with building a church, but throughout the trip and now with the benefit of some reflection time, I realize all the good things we want for our Peruvian family start with the relationships we’ve built. These relationships are the vehicle for further provisions of relief and are what allow our long term mission workers success.

During my devotion on our trip I prayed that each of us be capable of speaking and giving from hearts that are being cleaned/ transformed by God... looking outward away from ourselves so God can do the work in our hearts. Now as I reflect back on the trip, that prayer, and the faces of my new Peruvian friends I have one last mission prayer to offer,

“Thank you Lord for your word, that by it and through it we find and form the relationships that bind our Christian family together and provide the vehicle for the gospel to spread, Amen”

Best Regards,

Khris Wigington