Summer Mission Project 2015
God called to him from within the bush, "Moses! Moses!" And Moses said, "Here I am." "Do not come any closer," God said. "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is Holy Ground." Exodus 3: 4-5
Do justice, love kindness, walk humbly with God. Micah 6:8
The readings from Exodus and Micah were the focus for 9 youth and adults from St. Mark Lutheran and 39 youth and adults from Lewinsville Presbyterian Church. The two groups teamed up together for a blitz build with Habitat for Humanity in Darlington County, South Carolina, in the beautiful, semi-rural town of Hartsville. Our combined crew of 48 people built one house in one week for a single mama and her three children. Despite the very necessary reality of having to wear work boots each day on the site, we were all humbled and aware of the work we were doing, the place we were standing, the home we were building: it was holy ground. God was present within us, among us, working through us.
Perhaps in the most awe-filled moment of the entire week, in the hour before the house dedication was to begin on Saturday morning, the skies clouded over and the clouds released rain on the newly planted flowers and sod beds, the water trickling off the sturdy roof and tight-fitting siding. And then, as we gathered under makeshift tents and umbrellas, just moments before the opening prayer of dedication was offered, the skies cleared, the sun shone, and light abounded: sunlight bright against our backs; light reflecting off shiny new home surfaces; light shining in the eyes of of the many volunteers, community members, friends, and family gathered together, and light reflecting in our collective tears of joy.
It was an unforgettable, life-shaping week of living out God's work in the world. On the drive home, one of the kids asked us, "How many days left until SMP 2016?"
Enjoy some pictures from our trip by following this link here.
