Missions

The word "Missions" is one that often has somewhat of a stigma attached to it. To some, it may even conjure up images of poverty, struggle and difficulty… perhaps even cannibals dancing around a pot!

We each have so much to offer the World; we’re so rich in the knowledge of God but often fail to realize this while surrounded by the plenty around us. It often takes getting “out there” to appreciate our role in the Great Commission that Jesus called us to.

With more than a decade of experience in Mission trips, crusades and outreaches in Southern and Central Africa, Shannon Carroll has a passion to be involved in taking the GOOD NEWS to places where it hasn’t been heard or that have very little access to it. We want to take people along with us and show them how easy and how much fun this can be, exposing them to Ministries in the World where people are making an eternal difference in their communities.

Join us on Mission trips, bring people – and watch lives & ministries be changed forever!

China 2007

The journey to China was designed with one goal in mind. That goal was to take The Word of God to the people. China is as you well know is a Communist country. No more than 15 people can congregate without government permits. Therefore most churches in China are home churches of 15 or less. The pastors mostly have what they have heard, or pieces or the Bible to preach from. When you put the Bible and a companion book of Christian principles together in the hands of a pastor, he then has along with the Holy Spirit the tools necessary to lead his Church.

The day began at 5:00am Sunday morning. We flew to Chicago, then another 15½ hour flight to Hong Kong.

After a very poor nights sleep, our first day began in China. We went to a Bible depot in the city and picked up a truck load of Bibles and the companion books. We then delivered these to a storehouse near the border. Then we returned to our staging and sleeping area. After meeting up with six new arrivals we outlined the rest of the week. Our hosts were a family of six. The oldest children were teenage boys and these were our leaders for the border crossings. The process was quite simple. Load up as many “books” as you liked and we would go thru the border twice per day. The object was to pray for the ability to get through undetected. In application this was more difficult than one might expect. The second day, I had as many “books” as I could carry in a very large back pack. Unfortunately I was asked if I had books in the pack. Upon replying in the affirmative I was told to put the books into a large plastic bag and given a receipt for redemption upon leaving the country.

Now China and Hong Kong have a very unique situation. Hong Kong having been under British rule for many years seems to enjoy all of the freedoms we take for granted here in the Christian world. With the return of Hong Kong to mainland China it was stipulated that no changes would be done for 50 years, so the border crossings from Hong Kong to the mainland are as internationally controlled as from one nation to another.

It was actually stimulating to get “caught” the first time. It created a sense of urgency, and a definitely resolve to never get caught again. I determined that with the help of God I would never again be questioned at the border. I was never again stopped.

As to Hong Kong, we spent the first week there as we went back and forth. There is a large quantity of building going on, a very prosperous city.  Transportation was very efficient in the train system. After the week of taking the books to the “safe house” in the mainland, we attended a conference at a church in Hong Kong. It was fun to worship God with people from the other side of the world. God really is the Same Everywhere! This was a two day conference and then Sunday worship. What a wonderful time! Food, Food, Food (Chinese of course), it was great!

Monday night we went back into mainland China. This time we condensed all of the books into large canvas bags and boarded a train for a 36 hour ride north. This was the real China. It really wasn’t too bad at all but wouldn’t thrill someone used to first class accommodations. Upon arrival at our destination we were met by a pastor/evangelist who brought two vans to fit the 11 of us and all our luggage. We were taken to a very nice hotel to clean up after that Long train ride. We then proceeded to an orphanage to love on the children there. All of these children had some form of physical impairment. The foreign ladies who ran the orphanage were wonderful... the love of God was absolute and demonstrated at every moment.

From here we went on a sight seeing tour to a local Palace about 800 years old. All was great. During our travels the books slowly disappeared as they were distributed to individual pastors. This happened quickly as the penalty for a national to have these books is quite severe. We delivered approximately 700 books. With a simple two weeks of effort, 700 churches are equipped to change lives! What a miracle!

That evening dinner was held at a local restaurant owned by a Christian. This was a very large restaurant and it was very busy. After dinner about 10 of the staff stopped everything they were doing and sang Christian songs to us for a half hour. We didn’t understand a word, but you felt every meaning and your heart sang in joy with them. What a God we serve!!!!!

The next morning we flew back to Hong Kong. It was a long trip, not to be traded for anything. That evening we took a sight seeing trip to downtown. We watched the light show in which each building lit up to music… it’s quite dazzling. The next day our six companions flew back to the states and we had half a day to sightsee. On our last day there we were able to make two more book crossings into the mainland. Some more books for the next guys to distribute.

Thing learned from China:

• We must focus on Evangelism, Missions, Preaching God’s Love.

• We are all cut from the same cloth.

• Enjoy all of the blessings God has given you, few others have near as much and may be happier. It is a choice you know?

• Appreciate a whole lot more what those have done before you to secure your freedoms. Never think freedom is free or even cheap. It is only because of the price Christ paid, and others through the centuries have given so very much for.

While in China I met three people at an “English corner”. I believe they will be lifetime friends. We continue to write each other by e-mail. Isn’t technology great? Somehow Jesus comes up in the conversations a lot.

Plan on changing your life! Go on a Mission trip... be a part of taking the Gospel somewhere that has heard it before!

Mexico 2006

 

Mexico 2006 Photo Gallery

Dr. David Frerking along with Andrew and Linda Bennett lead a this mission team of 16 from Family Bible Church to Ciudad Valles, central Mexico, to assist Pastors Carlos and Phyllis Muñoz with the work they've begun there 2 years ago. With a tremendous heart for the people and an apostolic calling in their hearts, the Muñoz' have been planting rural churches in numerous villages surrounding the town of Valles - and experiencing tremendous results. With Ps. Manny Acosta, Roberto and Adriana's help in interpreting Spanish & English, the team had a fundamental communication need met whether preaching, teaching or just sharing one-on-one.

With financial help from Safe Harbor and assistance from some of the guys, Andrew designed & built an ingenious trailer that unfolds quickly and easily into a platform stage, complete with an awesome sound system and lights - almost instantly ready for an open air gospel crusade! This equipment was used for the weeks' rural village outreaches & to train Ps. Carlos and his helpers and then donated into their ministry.

Brenda Bowden lead the team's children's ministry outreach this year. Using puppets and cool Spanish children's songs and a host of other activities, games and lessons each afternoon - an indelible mark was left in these village children's heart about the unconditional Love of God!

Each night, a crusade was held where the Good News was preached and many were saved & healed. At both villages, the team was able to enjoy a meal prepared especially for the entire village.

To the 1st timers who joined this trip: Well done! You did absolutely awesome. You stretched your comfort zone and boundaries and will never be the same! Thanks Team! You're the best!

Africa 2005

A total of 14 team members travelled for 24-hours, across the Atlantic Ocean and Equator to the country of South Africa – at the southern tip of the African continent for a 15-day mission trip. What a thrilling & life-changing time we had! It’s really hard to express in words what really just has to be experienced first hand to understand. It would be too long to describe here in detail, our pictures may give more insight, but here's a short synopsis: 

For the first week we worked with the outstanding ministry of Steve & Dee-Anne Olivier, Word of Life World Outreach (South Africa), in the Diepsloot squatter camp near Johannesburg. It has a population of nearly 200’000, most of whom are unemployed and where an almost unbelievable 80% of whom are HIV positive and living in drastic circumstances!  Their tiny “homes” made from tin, wood and plastic; sewerage flowing in the open; without running water;… quite shocking to say the least. 

In the mornings, we ministered at local elementary schools; helped with in-home care for patients; and visited local people telling them about the crusade events that we were holding each afternoon & evening.

In the afternoons, the team gathered at the Word of Life World Outreach crusade site, set up on a local soccer field, to conduct a children’s ministry program. That was followed with an open-air gospel crusade each evening where people were ministered to. The team encountered the power of God as they prayed and experienced God healing and answering desperate cries of those who turned to Him.

It was simply just one of those experiences… You had to be there… 

We travelled 400 km north-east away from the city to the more rural area around the town of White River for our second week. There we worked alongside highly-respected & renowned missionary Paul Dell and Ps. Johan Boshoff’s Calvary Assembly. Debbi, Heyneke, Andrew and Charlotte from Calvary joined our team as we experienced local rural ministry with Africa School of Missions and some of the many projects they work with: home-based care, food sorting for distribution, building and gardening programs. We visited the children’s ward at a local hospital to minister to the sick and injured children there, and again encountered the AIDS pandemic firsthand… heartbroken mothers caring for babies suffering with disease.

We had an opportunity to minister at an orphanage, a rural pre-school and at a rural farm school where Paul Dell had some students that were being baptised that day. One evening after dinner, Paul, who for decades has been powerfully used by God in miracles, healing and prophecy… prayed and prophesied over each team member. 

You can’t travel that far to Africa without visiting a few local sites of interest. We experienced some breathtaking African vistas and sunsets, spent 2 nights in a Game Reserve and saw most of the African wildlife – right there at home in the wild! Some of us even got to ride an African elephant and pet a lion cub. We had the opportunity to taste some African venison and other “unconventional” African foods too. 

What a privilege to experience another part of the world and realise again how blessed we are in America – and how much we have yet to learn!

Testimony:

Mexico Team 2006