If you have ever gone on a short- or long-term mission trip then you know the experience is life changing. Not only do opportunities come up where you see God move, but because you’re so aware that you have a mission, a purpose, you hear God speak — probably the clearest you’ve ever heard him.

Our 2008-2009 IHH students can totally testify to this. Mission trips are a big part of the IHH Bible School experience and this year’s students had the privilege of doing a trip to Sturgis, Michigan and Hamilton, Ontario. But beyond learning to hear God during such a special, intense time, they have said they learned something more: that what happens on the mission field can happen in everyday life. We don’t have to wait for a call to go to some obscure or exotic place. God speaks every day, calling us to make a difference.

That revelation came in the midst of the mission trip’s ministry activities. In Sturgis we helped out a church with youth and young adults’ ministry, dance and drama workshops, and serving at a church service and other events. Also, they worked with us to do presentations at public school assemblies. In Hamilton we partnered with City Kidz ministry. This ministry, which started in 1991 runs a Saturday program that busses in over 700 children to experience a 90-minute life changing program filled with songs, prizes, important lessons and food.

The IHH students kept journals over the course of all those activities. In the following quotes from some of their journals you can actually see God at work, teaching and changing the students’ hearts….

“One thing I don’t want to forget is that I gave my last two Pop Tarts to a homeless man today. We were driving by and traffic was a bit slow. He was standing on the side of the road with a sign that said, ‘Hungry and Homeless.’ He looked so stoked once I gave him food. I just popped open the door, handed it to him, we all said ‘Have a nice day!’ and traffic continued. I’ve always helped people because I should. Now I’m starting to catch your [Jesus’] heart for it all. I need to learn that it’s okay to make mistakes. I just need to come into agreement with you. Although I’m moving with you, I can let you do most of the work.” Dustin Williamson

“Today was the actual program [City Kidz Saturday program]. God showed up so vividly. It was amazing. The passion all the volunteers had was epic. The way everything ran so smoothly was incredible. The only way that City Kidz would have worked is God straight up. I’m so inspired! ...The all-team meeting was tonight and I shared my testimony and I swear it wasn’t me talking. It was the Holy Spirit taking over. It was so cool. Also, a few people got saved, which was super sweet!” Jessica Pacholko

“On this trip God has been teaching me a lot about the importance of consistency and endurance. …This whole experience with City Kidz has really changed my heart regarding kids. For some reason I have never had the biggest heart for kids and I’ve never been a huge fan of working with them, but seeing the homes some of these kids come from and seeing their faces when they are loved and finally realize that they are special has been life changing.” Sean Wilson

“I feel God is really revealing a lot of things to me. Like for the past year or so I have felt like God has been so far from me. However lately and especially today and yesterday He’s been bringing to my mind all the times He’s spoken to me in the past couple of days alone. Plus all the times in the past year. So, I’m starting to realize how true it is that though I might not ‘feel’ close to Him, He is always right there with me. So this is really challenging me to make my relationship with God one that is based on a conscious choice that I do and will love my God, and not base it on a feeling. I had heard this so many times before, but I just clued in that this is something I need to remember.“ Dustin Ludwig

“Tonight I got an email from Heather [not her real name]. It was pretty short, but there was one simple line that really hit me and meant a lot to me. It said “Thank you for talking to me.” It just really shows that some kids are simply looking for one person to come along and talk to them. To sit and have a conversation with them. To let them know that they are worthwhile and cared about. I love instilling a sense of purpose and acceptance into people’s lives! I am so blessed to know that I was able to do that simply by sitting down and talking to Heather.“ Talasi Plett

“Today, I’ve realized that God has given me gifts that are actually gifts! Ha, ha. What I mean is…I didn’t realize it was a gift before. For example, I suck at public speaking and can’t really play an instrument very well…but I can relate and talk to people! Tonight we went to Mosaic at the Sturgis church [Youth Outreach]. There was a few hard core bands playing… When we first walked in it was a bit awkward cause none of us knew anyone and we were supposed to try and meet some kids. So I pulled out my hacky sack and immediately 4 boys came and joined in. We introduced ourselves and then started playing till the bands were ready. God is good and I’m glad I can connect with boys easy, ha, ha… Tonight I gave my testimony at the Sturgis church youth group and my face went red like usual, but the talking part went good and I think I got the point across! I never thought it would happen, but I’m actually getting a little bit better at public speaking. But my face will always still go red. Ha, ha. After some girls came up to talk to us and they said they liked it the most when us kids got up and talked about our real life situations, cause it helps them relate! That was super encouraging and I ‘m so glad we met so many people.” Larissa Eddy

“City Kidz was great today, really tiring though. I met a kid named Shawn [not his real name] who was mentally challenged and when I saw him worshipping, for some reason, I started to cry! He was so cute and so special. He was trying to talk to me and teach me sign language. These kids love City Kidz. It is encouraging to see what they do for these kids.” Katie Blackett

“Today was really what City Kidz was all about. I could hardly contain my excitement. I was stoked to see what it’s all about. I started out by picking up a bunch of kids on the bus. I went to Kinder Kidz for the first and second sessions of the day. It was a lot of fun with them. They were all 3-5 yrs old. They were some of the cutest kids ever. A few people from our team did a dance for them, which they really enjoyed. Later on in the day I went to the main City Kidz event for the third session. It was such a fun day. The kids had such a good time. However, after today I don’t understand how the staff at City Kidz do what they do. They are some of the most amazing people ever. Later on in the evening we went to a fundraising dinner for a town that is trying to expand their own little City kidz. At the supper we got to hear Todd speak. It was really good what he had to say and it really spoke to me. It was actually quite inspiring what he had to say. It was incredible to see his heart for City Kidz. I pray that God would continue to provide for City Kidz and help them grow. Also that He would continue to bring growth to Rose City Kids. Amen.” Colton Longpre

“God, thank you for the awesome mission trip we had. Thank you for renewing my view of kids and opening my eyes to your love for them. Help me to recognize my sorrow as productive and help me to strive to make it as productive as I can. I pray that you will continue to place Godly counsel in my life, and help me to be a positive influence in the lives around me. Thank you for your love. Amen.” Kim Sherring