MADERA MISSION TRIP

TAKEN FROM THE JOURNAL OF PERRY PINGLEY

December 22,1999

Matthew 28:18-20 and Jesus came and spake unto them saying, all power is given unto me in heaven and earth. Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever, I have commanded you, and so, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen

We had a send off service at the church tonight.  You could feel the presence of God embracing each and everyone that was there.  We sang praises to God, prayed for guidance, strength, and leadership.  As we are prepared now to go, God is with each of us, all around each of us before us, and behind us.  You could feel the joy of those going, but the sadness and wistfulness of those whom God needs to stay home and fight the war on the home front.  We are giving this Christmas back to God.  He gives us each day we have, and now we are putting the true meaning of Christmas back into it.  If we go not to return, may God receive the glory and honor by drawing others to him through our sacrifice.

December 26,1999

I have an unaccountable feeling of sadness in my heart this morning.  I can but find it is for these people here in this town who do not know Jesus.  I would like to stay, not leaving until each and every heart in this town has come to God.  So, we must do all that Dios has for us to do this trip, and maybe we will be able to return again another day, if it is Dios will for our lives.  You can feel the very rocks of this town crying out for salvation, it would seem.  As God has led us to this people, may His holy will for this trip be accomplished.

Perry’s closing words of his mission trip journal say thank you Jesu Cristo for this opportunity that you have given us to serve you. Amen.

This trip was the first mission trip the Snake River community church family went on.  We learned so much as we put our faith and trust in our lord.  God saw us through many difficult situations with truck breakdowns, border trouble, forgetting Debbie in El Paso and just adjusting to another culture.  We made friends for a life time in Madera and those friends are still part of our lives here in Baggs six years later as two of the kids we met have come and attended school here and lived with different families in our church.  We will never forget our trip to Madera and the relationships we built with the people of Madera as well as the relationships we strengthened with our own church family.   

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