Often times when we talk about mission trips, we tend to think about being out of the country. The Laurel Mission trip, which takes place in a small corner of southeastern Kentucky, is a great reminder that the lost and needy can often live in your own backyard.

This trip serves a two-fold purpose, in that we serve people in their immediate need, but help with some long term needs as well. There is the yearly “Mrs. Dawn’s clothing giveaway" as the locals call it, followed the next day by a clothing and food giveaway. The other side is construction work as needed. Twenty-four people from LPC showed up to serve, and along the way enjoyed some great fellowship and community. It seems like nothing builds community like working hand in hand, and this rang true on this trip in a big way.

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This trip serves a two-fold purpose, in that we serve people in their immediate need, but help with some long term needs as well. There is the yearly “Mrs. Dawn’s clothing giveaway" as the locals call it, followed the next day by a clothing and food giveaway. The other side is construction work as needed. Twenty-four people from LPC showed up to serve, and along the way enjoyed some great fellowship and community. It seems like nothing builds community like working hand in hand, and this rang true on this trip in a big way.

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The people I spoke with were genuine and kind. Very appreciative and humble- but this was not humiliating, it was relational. I learned that some lived without running water. Some had no electricity or lived on construction type generators for power. The area is so far from anywhere that the police did not routinely come into the area. There are no patrols, which meant that the mission was the known safe space in the area, and Pastor Nate was like the mayor. People respected the mission, and they appreciated the Boggs family. There were two flatbed trucks worth of donated food given away, and after the two days of clothing and shoe giveaways the trailer full of clothing (that our church family donated) had been whittled down to a small pile. It was explained that one family would distribute the food they received to up to 5 other families that lived around them. Talk about multiplying fishes!

The construction teams were split this year. One team did rough carpentry, built and stood walls, set trusses, decked a roof, and then built a floor system for the next arriving church group to build upon. The other team stepped into a home that, from the outside appeared to be finished, but on the inside was clearly not. This second team had three men working the entire trip on interior finishes. We learned that many volunteers who came could do some work, but specific tradesmen were rarer in the ranks. We found out that this home build started last July and due to the limited amount of folks who can do plumbing and electrical, it had been slow going for a time. The team made a massive dent in what this home needed, in hopes of getting the owners moved in. Each day, with the help of the future owners, they pushed closer to the finish line.

On this trip, God provided for my heart in ways I could not have even known how to ask for. He reminded me of several truths about himself, about his love for us as believers and myself as His own adopted son. I was reminded that whether I look for worries or things to be grateful for, I will find what I seek. I was reminded that I am to work to please Him in all things, and not to concern myself with what others may think of me. He spoiled me with nature, like seeing bears, owls, horses and deer. Most importantly, he reminded me that He gifted me with talents to be used to bless those around me, and then granted me the opportunity to use those talents to help those often overlooked. I suspect most who were on this trip would have similar testimonies, as it truly was a great experience. This trip continued to point to one passage of scripture, one that I have called a life verse for decades:

"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." -Matthew 5:16

God honors himself when He allows us to shine the light He has given us. We returned humbled, rejuvenated and so very grateful.

Thanks,

Nate Johnson

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