Village Missions–great partners!

A couple weeks ago I have a quick-stint travel opportunity I could not pass up! I flew in to Reno and rented a car for the 75 minute drive to Graeagle, CA (Quincy is the only town that anyone would recognize in that area if you’re not from around there).

I was invited to share at the Summer Connection for the Pastors/Missionaries (and their families) of Village Missions SW District. The 20-or-so families represented many churches from CA, AZ and NV. This was a Godsend opportunity for me. For years I have partnered with this fantastic organization on mission trips. They do such a great job of establishing or re-establishing churches in rural communities.

Because I personally like to scout each of the places we will be sending teams (I value the personal relationship and it builds trust between the church and the organization) I end up spending quite-a-bit of time on the road. As Youthmark expands this demand could very easily become overwhelming and really impossible. So, this was a Godsend in that in just a few days I was able to touch base and build relationship with about 15 Pastors interested in having a YMV come to their community! Because of the relationship, I won’t have to travel to these towns to establish the relationship! Praise God for His provision!

The true blessing was the relational time I had with these friends. Though I made many new friends, I was able to spend extended time with some old friends as well! I ran into the Primer’s (who now serve in CA, but were in Plummer ID when I sent a team there in 2000), the Rivers (we are sending a team to French Gulch this summer) and my good friends, the Murrells (from Pine Valley, CA). The Murrells have become very good friends through the years, I have visited them a few times since leading a team in PV a couple years ago.

I was personally blessed to have spent an afternoon with just the Murrells on a scenic drive to a lake and to be led in worship by Josh and Caleb!