Work Teams
We have had it said to us, "Why invite work teams on overseas missions? People could just send a contribution to the project instead of spending all of that money on air fare and travel."
A statement such as this misses several key elements of what a short term mission trip is all about. Money extended to help with the construction of a project, to feed hungry children or provide medical services is a great blessing to the recipients. But those on the receiving end of charitable giving often need a hand up rather than just a hand out. One work team member put it this way, "I cannot send a hand extended in friendship or a hug to reinforce that friendship." The life time friendships that are formed as team members interact with the people of the culture are a key element of a short term mission trip. Those involved discover the unity that can be found within the body of Christ that spans oceans and continents.
Another key element of a short term mission trip is the change that is wrought in people's hearts which often does not happen on one's home shore. The introduction to poverty in a third world country has a profound effect on first time travelers. People return home with a different perspective on their own lives and a resolve to be a part of helping those who are living in the dire circumstances that they witnessed first hand. In addition to creating in people a sense of global responsibility, there is often a change that happens on a very personal, spiritual level. Being lifted out of one's environment and comfort zone and dropped into the middle of a different country and unfamiliar culture creates a vulnerability that allows God to do amazing things.
We see people soften and open up, feeling safe to share from the depths of their hearts as they experience the intimacy of a team traveling, living and working together. Tears flow more easily, expressions of affection come more readily, prayers are offered more genuinely. Being removed for a short time from ones own culture and all that consumes them in their busy lives to the slower pace of another culture provides time for reflection, time for spiritual renewal, time for relationships.
A Multi-National Workforce is at Work at RSM!
Workteams from around the globe have been making their yearly pilgrimages to Rehoboth since the mid 1990's. The first teams came from Australia, being invited by the founders, Bob and Barbara Morriss of Perth, Western Australia. These early teams consisted of two and three persons. Over time the teams have grown from a hand full to groups as large as fourteen. The countries of sending origin presently include Great Britain, Australia and the United States. On occasion, teams from two countries have converged at Rehoboth and the chemistry between three nations working together in harmony in His spirit is a marvelous experience.
If you are part of a work team minded group and are interested in serving at Rehoboth Sampaloc Ministries please contact us.
Doctors, Dentists and Nurses are being encouraged to respond to the call.
In January of this year the Rehoboth Community Medical Clinic began to be constructed on the grounds of Rehoboth Sampaloc Ministries. As the clinic construction project is moving forward towards completion later this year, medical and dental personnel are being invited to consider their future call and involvement in both short term and long term medical missions at Rehoboth.
The medical clinic will include three medical examination rooms, one dental examination room, a birthing clinic, office facilities and a small pharmacy.
The clinic is planned to serve the needs of the orphaned children in residence at the Rehoboth Children's Home and the community of Sampaloc. The Lions Club International Foundation is a major contributor of the construction project. The local Tanay/Kapuso Lions Club will be involved in the community clinic to serve in sight and hearing services to the local population. This is how the Lions Club seeks to complete their "Sight First" initiative around the world.
If you are wanting to consider working in the mission field as a medical or dental professional, we would love to meet with you or your group to discuss this ground level involvement in a wonderful opportunity to serve. Please contact info@sacredportion.org .
Fourteen Members of the New Hope Bible Church Travel to Rehoboth for Spring Break!
Holding babies and playing with the children were the highlights for many of the participants of the work team this year. Carolyn soon found that holding and loving babies was her gifting, and she applied her self fully to her calling!
Jim had a dream of one day going to Rehoboth but it took him many years to acheive
his dream to leave home and travel back to Asia where he had served in the armed forces as a service man. He too, quickly found his place among the children who now fondly refer to him as Lolo Jim. He entertained and tickeled the imaginations of the children and won them over with his quick wit and grandfatherly manner.
At the end of the trip the Clinic construction work was also greatly advanced through this team's efforts. Good Job! New Hope Bible Church Team! Like so many mission trips it is about building loving relationships with people and in the process buildings get constructed that are later used in the Lord's work to further His Kingdom here on earth.
Next page: Work Team Forms
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