Words from Pastor Clint

Before I paste "Pastor Clint's" notes below, I just have to say how thankful I am (and I think I speak for the group in general) that God led him to bring us on this trip and for the leadership he provided.  He set the example every day as he played with and witnesses to kids and built relationships with adults at the local ministry and in the village and every place we went.  He preached 3 times (one with 2 days notice) and nailed it every time!  Thank you, Pastor Clint!

From Pastor Clint (written Sat night):

At a little before 4:00 p.m. today, July 20, 2013, our plane touched down at Reagan National Airport and we were officially home.  While we are thankful to the Lord for safe travels back to the States, we are also a bit saddened to have left our newly-made friends in St. Helena and Kernaham.  The relationships built while there, both with the Trinidadians we ministered to and those from TTUM we ministered with, will be remembered for a lifetime.

But the main thing for which I was most grateful was the opportunity to do God’s work with a wonderful team of 36 people from Immanuel Bible Church.  This mission team could not have been more diverse.  Families serving with singles, musicians with non-musicians, and people from different backgrounds and of all ages (age 7 to 70).  Yet, even with such an assortment, this team worked together seamlessly.  Children befriended other children during our morning VBS.  Teens danced, sang, and played in many venues.  Adults shared testimonies, shot video, and headed up various ministry teams.  And, of course, we sang together lifting our praises to the Lord with one voice.  Everyone was flexible as we often had to adjust our plans and did so without complaining.  The team worked very well together as a team, using their God-given gifts and strengths to benefit many.  And everyone encouraged each other to always do our best throughout the week, no matter the setting.  We began each morning with prayer together before VBS, and ended each day with group prayer before the evening crusade meeting.

I cannot say enough about our team leaders who were all terrific.  Andrea Clingenpeel did an incredible job putting together the VBS program.  Penny Wood and Lynn Tanner organized our mercy ministry opportunities in the afternoons.  Bob Welch helped put together the programs for the evening crusade outreach.  Last, but certainly not least, Lisa Hess deserves much praise for putting in months of work organizing and administering many facets of the trip from beginning to end. 

Our part of this mission trip is over, but God’s work in that part of the world is not over.  We are confident the Lord will use our faithfulness to proclaim His message, both in our words and actions, to expand His kingdom.  While we only spent one week in Trinidad, TTUM will continue to minister in the name of the Lord and boldly share the gospel.  Our goal was to leave TTUM stronger than when we arrived and I believe that through the effort of everyone on our team, relying on the strength of God’s Spirit, that goal was accomplished.