Glorifying God, Loving Others

2203 Lakeway Blvd. ● Lakeway, TX 78734 ● 512-261-6331 ● Fax: 512-261-7099

Mission Trip 2002

Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Psalm 127

The Summer Mission trip was such a great success! I think it's fair to say that everyone brought home a changed heart, a new outlook on life and a deeper, more fulfilling relationship with God. This page is just packed full of great pictures, so while it is loading, enjoy some quotes from the students that attended. Adult quotes can be found below the pictures.

(If you have a sound card, you're listening to an excerpt from Here I am Lord by Jim Weber from his CD Many Mountains.)

Student Quotes

I had feelings of love, sadness and joy throughout the entire time. Jon

Before I came here, I had a selfish image, and when I went to Mexico, God showed me how much I really have and yet I still want more. Some people don't even have what they actually NEED! Sara

From this trip I am bringing home a changed heart toward God. Brian

I like shopping in Mexico because everything is so cheap! The mission was totally awesome and I want to do it again next year! Taylor

I got to see how blessed I was, and I was able to see another part of the world and it's lifestyle... We made a wonderful change in a woman's life, but only because of God. It was one of the greatest feelings to see her face light up with joy. David

I have never seen poverty like what I saw this week, but I have never seen more spiritual people in my entire life. Dan

You (the shareholders) have impacted my life more than you know and the people of Mexico also. Danny

Every day we were there, He was right beside us and now that I know what that feels like and it is awesome. I mean I knew He was always there but I never knew how much He really helps and strives to just have us do His work so that we can change another person's life completely around. Stephanie

I will remember that I am never alone, even in the dire straights of my life. God, Christ is always here with me and I can do all things with Him who strengthens me. Jenny

Aren't these kids awesome? We could all learn a great deal from them! Here are a few snapshots from the trip. Click on an image to enjoy a larger view and use your browser's back arrow to come back!

The Trip!

Several of us were involved in Vacation Bible School which appeared to be the highlight of the day for many children and was well accepted by the adults! We had 20 children to profess their faith in Jesus Christ!

During the week, the people of Reynosa, Mexico held a huge celebration for Mission Discovery as a thank you for all of their good work. Our youth group built just one house but, during this summer, about 1000 houses will be built by students on this mission trip sponsored by Mission Discovery. The people of this area are extremely grateful!

Our main project was to build a house for 19 year old Maribel, her husband and her severely retarded 18 month old child. We worked hard in 100 degree heat to build this house in just 5 days! We started from the ground and built a foundation, walls and roof. We painted it and added finishing touches. It was hard work but we still had a great time!

After all was complete, we took up a love offering from each of the students in our Lakeway Church group. We used the money we had brought to go shopping with and collected $300! We then purchased some really great items for Maribel and her family, such as a mattress, washtub, curtains, bedspread, pampers, clothes and food. We asked her to walk in with her eyes closed. When she opened them she couldn't believe what she saw! Our gifts were a total surprise!

We ended each day with a worship service!

Here are a few miscellaneous snapshots--

Adult Quotes

When I walked away from this trip, the still caption that was left in my mind was of the hundreds of teens and adults with Christ in their hearts, working in the sun's heat to show how much they really cared about those who don't have! Material things are not permanent, but a life with Christ and life with happiness is everlasting. Kevin

Michael told me before we left on this trip that I would probably get more out of this trip than what we would give to the people there. He was right. The spiritual freedom I experienced was unlike anything I have had in the past. I would highly encourage any parent to try their best to participate in the next Mission Trip. But, more importantly, I would encourage all parents to get involved in the Youth Group. This trip provided me with a better understanding of the role we can play in the lives of our youth. After all, they are our future. Ken

Christ said that he came to bring life and bring more of it. Then why do I ask myself am I enjoying life? I realize that my focus is on the things of this world not on the one who created and saved me. So I wonder and meditate on how to change that, coming up with the conclusion that I need to drop useless stuff and bring my focus back on Jesus. Stephen

While the people of Rio Bravo are poor in material possessions, they are rich in spirit. They are so thankful for so little. We, the adults of the Lakeway Church, have a responsibility to continue to support and encourage our Youth. They are our future and our hope! They have strong leadership in Mike, Stephen and Kevin, but they need to see us as parents and leaders actively participate in mission activities. If I have learned anything from being a parent, I have learned that my son pays far more attention to what I do than what I say! I must lead by example! Nita

To be honest, I really didn't want to come back! I was absorbed in the moment that for a week in my life I was going to get a chance to become the hands and feet of Christ. Not as a member of the clergy, but a simple servant serving in a location that most men would avoid at all cost. However, it was here that God used the uncommon circumstances of my surroundings to open my spiritual eyes to truth that I had missed on so many mission trips before.

His message was so clear, your material blessings are your poverty. As I heard the voice, all the images I was processing through my American filter became a blur. I had been given a gift. Not one that I really wanted, but one that God desperately needed me to see. My material blessings had become my spiritual poverty...I had seen a picture of what God thought about my spiritual life and I was heart broken. I never thought someone that had been so blessed could be spiritually bankrupt, but I was. The truth was that the material things had become an idol and they had hindered my relationship with the most important one in my life. After that experience, my thought process had been changed for sure. I was reminded of my commitment to Christ and His way, not the world's. Rev Mac

Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. I Timothy 6:18-19

If you would like to view the Mission Discovery website, click here.