Fruits of the Spirit

Praise the Lord for His traveling mercies and the wonderful, clear skies as we made the long trip home. Of course, we couldn't see the clear skies when we left Gateway at 5:00 a.m., but some of us did see the sunrise. We arrived at Chapel Hill at 3:30 p.m., so, we had very quick stops.

We were heavy hearted to be leaving Mississippi with so much more, years worth, work to be done, but we were anxious to get home to our loved ones. We had a wonderful team and have been blessed too many times to count. We served, we were served and we had a wonderful time. Many, many heartfelt thanks to those who made my job so easy: Bud and Karen Hill, Debbie Sides, Jim Walters, Allen and Stacey Singer, Brad Higginson, Maria and Emily Raleigh and Brandon Long. And of course, my bride, Leslie.

God teaches one so many, many things on a mission trip; that may be the greatest benefit each missioner receives. And I think it to be no coincidence that, in my mind, they are all related to the fruits of the Spirit, named by Paul in his letter to the Church at Galatia, chapter 5 verse 22; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Love: a deeper, more meaningful Christian love for those we serve with on mission and those we are serving. One truly learns of the worth of fellow missioners, more so each day, as one toils side by side and learns of others trials, victories and hidden talents.

Joy: in seeing hope rekindled in the forlorn eyes of one who has lost every needed earthly thing with formerly little hope of regaining a portion. Or in seeing a partially demolished house nearing the stage of habitation or even better, one now being occupied as a safe, comfortable refuge; and knowing that you had a hand in its renovation.

Peace: at night, in bed, physically and often emotionally drained, knowing that this day, you have been a messenger of God's love and a tool He has used.

Patience: because you know you didn't accomplish all you wanted to today, but by God's grace, the sun will rise and there will be more to do. And even when this trip must end, there still remains more to do and perhaps another trip can be made in a few months. Realizing that one cannot do it all, each and every house, but there will be something one can do, when one heeds the call.

Kindness: because often that is all you can offer one you pass by on the street or in a store. Many of these people have not been directly affected by Katrina, in a monetary or possession manner but their lives have been changed just the same. While making a late night purchase at a store on the last night in Gulfport, one of our missioners happened to be sharing with the cashier and mentioned "you have lovely region". The person behind in line, obviously an area resident, replied sadly "It used to be." Then he smiled and said, "Maybe, with more people like you, it will be again."

Goodness: it is nearly impossible to spend a week, helping rebuild a house, and hopefully lives, without coming away with a GOOD feeling.

Faithfulness: "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."

Gentleness: gently sharing with others of your love for your Saviour and His love for you. Or, on a more earthly plane, sharing your knowledge and expertise with team mates to make the job better, easier and more fulfilling. (Bud Hill personified.)

Self-control: because a short cut is not good enough, and again you did not accomplish all you wanted, there is so much yet to be done here and other places, so many more could surely find a week to invest in not only others, but themselves, and nothing is going perfectly well the way it is envisioned, and on and on. (Katrina missioners call this "fruit", flexibility.)

Volumes could be "blogged" about what all one learns on a mission trip. Trust those of us who have been when we say "It was one of the best weeks of my life. And I want to go back."

AND WE WILL!


Joy, peace, and love,

Henderson County UMC's Team 3
Steve Hoskins

P.S. Look for a special "Bloopers, Bleeps and Blunders", coming soon to this blogspot.