Why do we do Mission?

As we rapidly approach our departure date for our 2013 Go & Serve Mission trip to Los Angeles, CA, I think it is only appropriate that we take a moment to reflect upon why we do mission in the first place.  If we do not take this opportunity to examine our motives then we cannot hope to perform our tasks to the best of our abilities and let God's love shine through our work!  

Please take a few minutes to watch the video at this link, read the following passage, and meditate on what this says to you about why we do mission.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJQ3Bgh8PE4

Matthew 25:34-40 states, “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.  For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."

To me, the combination of this Video with this clip is profound.  In Matthew Jesus states, "whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."  As I think about this statement again, being one that I have read and heard many times, something jumped out at me that I have never examined before.  This new revelation is that if Jesus can consider each and every person as His brother or sister, then why can't I?  

The story of Ronald Davis is one that I hope brings tears to your eyes or at least a pain to your heart.  When he states, "I am a human being first,"  it is such a powerful statement!  It reminds us that we focus too much on the situation or the circumstance and not on the person.  Jesus was person focused, not situation focused.   So as we anticipate and prepare for our departure, think about how on this mission trip you can serve the person, not the situation.  As you think about this, here are some questions to answer that might help guide you in your meditation:

1.     How would you feel if you were in Ronald's situation and someone walked by and called you a bum?

2.    How would you react?

3.    Have you ever treated someone in this way? Why

God Bless! 

CSM, Part II

Part of what makes the Center for Student Missions so special is that they emerse you in the culture of the city in which you are serving. Los Angeles is a city comprised of many different cultural backgrounds and each one helps create the overall culture of the city. As of the 2010 census, more than 35% of the population of Los Angeles was foreign born. This does not include the thousands of the immigrants that stream through, using Los Angeles as a point of entry before moving to another city. The native lands of Los Angeles residents represent more than 140 different countries throughout the world.


Did You Know That…
The largest Mexican metropolitan area outside of Mexico
The largest Japanese metropolitan area outside of Japan
The largest Taiwanese metropolitan area outside of Taiwan
The largest Korean metropolitan area outside of Korea
The largest Filipino metropolitan area outside of the Philippines
The largest Armenian metropolitan area outside of Armenia
The largest Thai metropolitan area out side of Thailand
The largest Vietnamese metropolitan area outside of Vietnam

During our stay in Los Angeles, we will get a city tour and learn about the different cultural areas of the city and we will get the opportunity to eat a different cuisine each night. We will get the opportunity to sample authentic Salvadorian, Honduran, Nicaraguan, and Mexican Cuisine!
What a wonderful opportunity we will have in just a few short weeks!


God Bless!

Trip Participants

Youth

Crystal Bauer, Junior

Dylan Croon, Sophomore

Nyabong Duang, Sophomore

Jordan Graviette, Sophomore

Ryan Kern, Junior

Ethan Kerr, Junior

Meredith LaMaster, Junior

Lydia Meyer, Freshman

Neely Nuss, Sophomore

Sophia Pankratz, Freshman

Daniel Rousseau, Senior

Rachel Thomsen, Junior

Adult Sponsors

Becky Meyer

Lori Wright

Laura Little

Justin Miller

Tom Ratzlaff

Cassandra Waldron

Please lift up these participants in your prayers as we prepare for our trip to Los Angeles!