An Exciting Opportunity for Youth

Have you ever said to your children or grandchildren, "Wish I'd had that opportunity when I was young!" or something similar?  Well, I wish I'd had this opportunity when I was a teenager!  What opportunity am I talking about?  I'm referring to the opportunity the youth of First Baptist will have in the summer of 2011 to participate in an international mission trip to Swaziland, Africa.

Since 2001, the leadership of First Baptist has made a concerted effort to offer the youth of our church the opportunity to participate in at least one international mission trip during their high school years.  The Youth Council began talking a few months back about the possibility of planning another youth mission trip to Swaziland in the summer of 2011.  I think this is an exciting opportunity for several reasons.

One, it further strengths the ongoing relationship First Baptist has established with Swaziland over the past 14 years.  Some of our youth, some now young adults,  continue to communicate and nurture friendships they made with Swazi youth when they participated in a similar experience.  Many have continued to be involved in our Swaziland partnership and other mission endeavors.

Two, it broadens a young person's cultural experience.  It allows a young person to see a part of the world most have never seen before.  It leaves them with an appreciation of the blessings we enjoy and helps appreciate the many things we simply take for granted.  Spending time in another part of the world helps a person, young or old, see that not all the world is the same.

Three, an international mission experience is a hands-on experience which usually leaves a person with a good feeling because of the positive impact they have made in the lives of others.  We have heard testimony after testimony from participants about the blessings received from such trips.

And four, for most an international mission trip is one of those spiritual markers in the journey of faith that makes leaves a lasting imprint.  My youngest daughter participated in two international trips when in high school.  One, a school-sponsored trip--mostly a sight-seeing adventure to Greece and Italy.  The other, a mission trip with our church to Swaziland.  The trip which she remembers the most and still talks about today is the mission trip to Swaziland.

Pray for God's guidance as we continue to put the details of next summer's trip together.  Pray for our youth as they begin to prayerfully consider their participation.  And pray for the people of Swaziland as they continue to open they hearts to the message of the Gospel.

Blessings,
Jimmy