Lighthouse Christian School’s 8th Grade Student Mission Trip Was Impactful
The mission of the Madison Christian Giving Fund is to “support organizations and people who lovingly share the gospel with the people they serve.” The Lighthouse Christian School 8th Grade mission trip to Orlando in the summer of 2022 is a perfect example of a project that fulfills our mission.
The 16 students who went on the week-long trip received training in evangelism, learning and memorizing key scripture, role playing, and learning practical ways to engage someone in a conversation about Jesus. The students also learned the importance of listening to the Holy Spirit in real time as they served people in food banks, shelters and day care centers. One testimony that stands out is of a student who said he saw an elderly woman arrive for food, and he felt like he should pray for her. He approached the woman, asked if he could pray for her, and she accepted. The student reflected how this took him out of his comfort zone, but he was glad he listened to the Holy Spirit’s prompt to pray a blessing over this person and share the love of the Gospel of Jesus with her.
Another girl, a new believer, was overwhelmed by how hungry the children were for attention at the shelter’s daycare. There was one little boy who stood out to her because of how aggressive he was with the other kids. She made it a point to sit next to him at snack time, feed him his snack, and tell him about Jesus and how Jesus can help him to be a good friend. It was a beautiful moment to witness because as she was feeding his physical body, his heart was being fed with the truth of Jesus.
The students were stretched as they performed tiring activities, but based on their own feedback, parent feedback, and what we witnessed at these sites, these are experiences that can change the course of their lives. Here are just a few of their comments:
"This is hard work, but it is worth it!" (This was the first day of work where we sorted through many pounds of clothes for a thrift store that supports the homeless).
"Imagine how many little kids will eat these lunches, more kids should do this." (This was said at the Second Harvest food bank. We packed over 1,000 lunches for students in need).
"I really felt like praying for that woman and I'm glad she let me." (This was while we sorted food in a discount grocery store).
It is impossible to estimate the long-term impact that this trip will have on these courageous students and the people they will touch over their lifetimes.
