In early July, a team of 41 from Oklahoma Disciples Congregations (FCC El Reno, Guthrie, Stillwater, Luther, and Central Christian Church, Enid) joined for a week of service with American-Caribbean Experience (ACE) in St. Mary, Jamaica.
Part of their service included hosting a Vacation Bible School for nearly 50 Jamaican children. Volunteers and children experienced God in a variety of ways during three days of worship, activities, and hands-on lessons under the theme, “Magnified! See the Greatness of God.” From colorful props, music, and dancing to simple magnifying glasses detailing God’s creation. Every moment showed God’s love and presence in everyday lives.
“God didn’t just show up around us, He showed up in us,” said Laila Nundu, young adult volunteer with FCC Stillwater. “In big moments, small conversations and everything in between.”
He was also present in the cross-generational experiences within the Oklahoma disciple volunteers as well as their interactions serving on the farm, building scaffolding, or assisting local infirmary patients.
The testimonies from sharing Christ, growing as disciples, and discovering what one is capable of when it comes to loving our neighbors as ourselves are more than a great story, said Wayne Elder, chair of the board at FCC Guthrie. “They change lives, just not always the ones you would first believe.”
This mission trip was made possible in part through a grant from the Oklahoma Disciples Foundation (ODF). Thanks to this support, volunteers shared Christ’s love and made an impact on lives — like Mr. Brooks, an elderly blind gentleman with hearing loss, who had a new home built by ACE. He loved listening to the music when the group visited his new home to pray for him and his home.
Or, Todd, a special needs young adult attending his very first VBS. He left with joy and a promise to return next year.
ODF is honored to help fund mission work like this, but these efforts are only possible through the generosity of donors. Your gifts to ODF directly support missions and other grant activities that change lives and strengthen faith communities. If you would like to be part of making future ministries possible, please consider making a donation to ODF today.