2002 Junior Class

Students Report a Rough Beginning¼But a Happy Ending!
By Heidi Roberts, Jennifer Oyervides, Mandy Lusk, Stacy Krecker, and Mike Lombardi

On October 21, 2002, CCA's Junior Class left the Atlanta airport for Kansas City, Missouri. It was the first mission trip for most of the students, and there was the question of who would be going. Also, there was no doubt that the enemy was doing all he could to cause division within the group. But, Romans 8:28 states, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." Andrew Jones said, "I believe our class experienced a great amount of spiritual warfare because Satan knew great things were going to happen for the glory of God." Stephanie Forrester admits, "I know I was dealing with spiritual warfare. Several times I thought about how I could get out of going on this trip. Satan was really at work, but our team definitely came out on top."

The team's first appointment in Kansas City was at the Missouri Baptist Children's Home. The home was for boys with anger problems who had been sent there because their parents could not control them. According to Jennifer Hays, "The boys' home was the best! We got to interact with the boys. For one day they got to feel loved and cared about. We got to show them God's love through us." Caleb Warren said, "The boys' home really opened my eyes to things I take for granted. All these boys wanted was for someone to care about them." Most of the team said the children's home affected them more than anything else on the trip.

On Monday night, the team members discussed what they wanted God to do through them in the coming week. Amy Blackwell shared that she wanted the opportunity to lead someone to Christ. The very next day she was introduced to a girl who believed that God could never forgive her because of her past. Amy explained to her that God loves her and sent Christ to die for her sins. With Amy's lead, she prayed to accept Christ as her Savior.

On Tuesday, the team participated in the Annual Disabilities Awareness Day. Some of the students experienced first-hand what it would be like to be blind, deaf, or handicapped. "It was an excellent way to make people more aware of those with disabilities," said chaperone Gary Oxendine.

On Wednesday, the team worked at The Sanctuary of Hope by painting, building, and cleaning. That night they went to Emmanuel Baptist Church and did puppet shows and dramas for the children and youth group. "Wednesday night was really good because the people our age appreciated us for coming out," observed Jerry Payne.

When the team visited a nursing home, some of the students were nervous about going, but were moved by the effect they had on the residents. "We showed God's love to a lot of people who thought they were forgotten," observed Amy Blackwell. According to Daniel Mitchell, "The older folks were very touched by our dramas. Some of them even shed a few tears."

On Sunday morning they went to the city church to perform their puppets and dramas. "The worship service on Sunday was awesome! We all really needed it because our cups were empty and dry, but by the time the service was over, our cups were overflowing," said Stacy Krecker. Jerry Payne added, "I think it was the best worship service and by far the best performance we've ever done."

Overall, the mission trip was a great success. The juniors worked 561 man-hours total, performed five drama and eight puppet shows. Many lives were changed, including those of Cumberland's Junior Class.

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