Adventures in Missions

Disciples Making Disciples – The Great Commission

Beyond the lush beauty of the Dominican Republic, families lie in ruin. Single mothers struggle to make ends meet, and children grow up without fathers. Ronnie Herrera was one of those children. “When I was eight, our family was going through a very tough financial situation, and my dad decided to find a better way of living. That’s when he moved to the United States. From there on, me and my two brothers grew up with my mom, and she raised the three of us by herself. “As I grew up, my picture of a father was just talking on the phone with him. That’s all I had. You...

Con mis Manos

June 16, 2014
Adventures
Guatemala

On Thursday of this week we went to the city dump (aka the basurera), a place where 80 children and their families call home. Our hosts, Paul and Hilda, have a long term ministry at the dump. They feed the families lunch each Thursday while showering them with love. This was our first day of ministry while in Guatemala so we were all anxious and excited to finally begin serving as a team. I had some preconceived expectations. As a social work major, many of my classes are centered around poverty. I’d seen pictures in textbooks, read a plethora of articles, been shocked by...

Guatemala is A Lot of Things.

June 15, 2014
Adventures
Guatemala

Today makes one full week of life in Guatemala, and my goodness a lot of life has been lived. Though I’ve only been here a short while, I’ve fallen in love with Guatemala and slowly but surely, Guatemala is becoming much more than just a country to me. Guatemala is waking up to roosters every morning. It is drinking the freshest coffee I’ve ever had and eating wonderful meals made by our sweet cook, Maria. Guatemala is hammocking in the front yard with my team and having my water bottle as an extension of my body. It is sweating more than I ever have in my life and being...

Why Go on a Family Mission Trip?

Adventures’ founder, Seth Barnes, shared these thoughts several years ago, but his challenge is just as relevant today. Sharing the experience of a mission trip with your family can draw you closer together and closer to God as you serve. Going on a family mission trip may be one of the best decisions you could make for your family. Getting out of the house and out of your comfort zones will teach you to depend on God and to trust each other in deeper ways. I may be a little biased, but I highly recommend that more families go on mission trips together....

We’re Here!

June 8, 2014
Adventures
Guatemala

We made it to Guatemala! Exhausted but so happy to have made it! Karin at the Honduras/Guatemala border. We can’t wait to share more!

Arrival in Guatemala

June 7, 2014
Adventures
Guatemala

The Guatemala team arrived in Honduras and has since crossed the border into Guatemala and is currently with their host and getting settled into their housing for the summer. The team will spend the coming days getting introduced to their ministry, coming to know the culture, and finding a routine for the summer ahead. They will be finding internet in the next couple of days so that they can communicate home and share more about what their days and weeks will look like. Until then, we wanted to let you know that all is well. Hope that you’re as excited...

Summer Mission Trips Kick Off This Weekend!

Summer is here, which means at Adventures we are gearing up for a full three months of short-term mission trips for adults, families, and youth groups. The first trips launch this weekend, serving everywhere from Washington DC and Atlanta to Cambodia and Swaziland until the end of August. It’s sure to be an eventful summer and we’re excited to see all the Lord is going to do through the families, youth groups, and individuals stepping out of their comfort zone to follow God and love his people around the world. Please keep all the participants in prayer as they finish support...

6 Tips for Taking Your First Mission Trip

Preparing for your first (or your fortieth) mission trip can be a little overwhelming. So whether you’re a first-timer or a veteran, here are six tips to help your mission trip be a great experience: 1) Be open to God’s Spirit. Step out, take risks. Pray, listen, and obey. 2) Show obvious respect for other cultures. Ask questions, show interest, and be observant. Many a cultural faux pas can be avoided by simply being aware of your surroundings. 3) Attempt to speak the language. A common American misconception is that any attempt to speak another...

How to Choose a Mission Trip

When it comes to preparing for a mission trip, deciding where to go can be the hardest part. You’ve felt the call to missions. A sermon, youth retreat, or an inspirational article has you ready to jump on the next flight to a country with mud huts and a different language. This enthusiasm is great, but all too often it clouds judgment when deciding where to go on a mission trip. To be a good steward of your call, there are several questions you must answer: 1. Where is God calling you? First and foremost, mission trips should be dictated by where God leads you. Ask for...

Five Ways You Can Help Vilonia, Arkansas Recover: Relief Trips Now Available

It’s been just two weeks since a second devastating tornado hit Vilonia, Arkansas, and we know many of you are ready to act. After identifying areas where we can best serve our Arkansas neighbors, we are sending relief teams out beginning soon. We are working alongside local authorities, agencies, and churches to determine the most strategic use of your time in the affected areas throughout the summer. You can sign up for a week-long trip where you will respond to both physical and emotional needs. Be a helping hand and a listening ear to those experiencing...

How God Made a Miracle out of My Divorce

May 6, 2014
Adventures
Staff

Helena Jordao, a January 2012 E Squad alumna, has been through a divorce and felt the weight of that choice. In the face of heartbreak she chose Jesus. She chose to seek God and his grace. What she discovered was her heart for his people. I got married at 21 and divorced at 23. I went through heartache and identity crisis. I received comfort and healing from Jesus and the Church and was activated to full-time ministry. I am often referred to as a success story for divorce, but I disagree. I was statistically and spiritually destined for dysfunction, as many of us are. I agreed with my...

God Makes Me New

April 29, 2014
Adventures
World Race

World Racer Bekah Spurgeon of September 2012 J Squad suffered a severe injury that threatened her World Race Training Camp experience. Here’s her story: I arrived at training camp completely broken. My heart was still tender from leaving Los Angeles, the city where I spent every day living my dream for the past three years. Images replayed in my head like a movie screen; tear-filled goodbyes with some of the best friends I’ve ever had, giving my precious cat Doodle to a new family, and bringing closure to a lifelong love affair with my favorite art form. Since the...

Author: Adventures