14 hours until we depart Waco on Calvary’s 7^th Mission Trip to Lebanon. All the preparations are complete; all that is left is getting there.

Those going on this trip are “first timers.” Since the first trip, those that have gone have always included people who have gone before, some for the second, third, fourth or fifth time. It will be interesting to see Dar el Awlad, the boys and staff,  through new eyes.

In our discussions leading up to the first trip, one condition laid down was that the Mission trip was not to be a “one and done,” but rather a relationship building effort.

Calvary, you have done that in your praying, the continuing support, and sending shoes to the same child year after year. The relationships that you have built are evidenced in many ways: in the boys showing us your pictures from the last several years as they and we have grown older, in being greeted as friends rather than guests and in the genuine hugs that let you know they are glad you have returned. Perhaps the most memorable way your relationship was expressed, was when a housemother told one of the boys, “Don’t cry, they are from Calvary, they always return.”

But why do we return? Last year I was talking to the director about the boys that graduate from high school and move on with their lives, asking him what impact DeA has had in their lives? His answer summed it up. “Not all the boys accept Christ and go on in their faith journey when they leave this place. We may not ever see the results. For some it may be 20 or 30 years before we see results, but we have planted a seed. It is up to the Lord to nurture the seed.”

Calvary, you are planting seeds, seeds in the lives of the boys we are with and seeds in those that you send. For one couple from our church, the Bouchers, this has meant moving to Lebanon to serve at DeA the last 6 years. For others that have gone on the trip, you will have to ask them how the seeds have grown.

For the boys, you are helping to plant the seeds, and we will show them all the love we can in the time we are there.

From the corner of 18^th and Bosque, to West Avenue, to Beirut Lebanon, Calvary you have shown the love of Christ, and are continuing to do so.

Tim Smith

Enjoying a Lebanese meal in one of our meetings

                                     Your gifts to the staff and children prepared for packing.

                                                                       Packing

                                                                  More packing

                                                                       Labeling bags

Last summer I spent 3 months working at a church camp that allowed me to minister and guide kiddos and adults of all ages. I landed there as an answer to a prayer of mine the previous year. On the last day of camp I loaded my car with a heart full of fun summer memories, but something in me felt empty. I knew I wanted more, to go farther, to live a miracle filled life, to experience more in my life. I specifically remember praying to God and asking Him to open a door for me to go out and do something amazing. I asked Him to allow me to travel, but  wherever I went, I wanted it to be all about Him.

I prayed that prayer in August 2016 and in February 2017, He answered that prayer. I can remember the day that Sheila invited me to be a part of this year's team to Lebanon. As I sat in the nursery rocking little Graham as he slept, I heard the Lord's voice so clearly in my ear, he said, "this is for you".

Since that day, when I heard His voice, not a single thing has deterred me from my faith in the miracles I know I will see on this trip. No matter what happens regarding politics, foreign affairs, my family afraid of me traveling so far away, etc...

I know God's hands are all over this mission. 

My prayer is that God will work through me and that I will be divinely connected to His voice and Spirit so that I may touch as many lives as I can on this trip. I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to go and work with these children.  

My heart is filled with great excitement, joy, peace, and high expectations for a life changing trip. :-)

Jasmine Padgett 

Here are my pre-trip thoughts for the blog:

The time is almost here. We are about to set off to Lebanon. After years of seeing other teams embark, our time is near. We’ll leave Thursday morning to the airport and depart in the afternoon. Our team has been meeting and planning for months. We have been studying the history and culture of Lebanon. We’ve learned basic Arabic words. We’ve seen photos of previous trips, collected shoes, received an itinerary, and as of Saturday, we are packed. We’ve asked previous groups what to expect and have relayed our hopes as well as our fears. We’ve filled out all the necessary paperwork, received our passports, filed for trip insurance, and have made sure things at home will be taken care of while we are gone.

Are you ready? That’s a question that is usually asked on a daily basis. Elijah, are you ready to go to daycare? Lindsey, are you ready to eat? It’s something we think about internally during both large and trivial life decisions. Am I ready to go to bed or am I ready to have another child (both answers are usually ‘no’ by the way)?

After listing all the things we’ve done to prepare, you would think that our team is ready, right? Well, I can speak for the others, but I don’t feel ready. But I don’t know if I’ve felt ‘ready’ about any major life events besides finishing high school. That’s why I love Jesus’ call on our lives. He doesn’t expect us to be ready. He desires that we follow Him with total commitment. He expects us to just do it - to not make up excuses or ask for a raincheck. Look at how the disciples acted when Jesus called them to follow Him. They didn’t ask Jesus if they could follow Him when they were a bit older, or when they knew more about the Bible. They didn’t worry about the political state of things or if it was going to be safe. Jesus told them, “Come, follow me” and they did. I don’t feel ready, but I know that I need to step out in faith and follow Him. Jesus said that even a little faith can move a mountain. Well, if that’s the case, my faith should be more than enough. Jesus, I put my faith in you, and I commit to following you where you lead. 

Nathan Spears

Thoughts before the trip

I can’t believe it is already the end of June and our trip is here! It feels like time has flown by since our first interest meeting!
I have wanted to be a part of this trip for some time now but for some reason or another I have been unable to go. I am so excited that this year I can finally go on this trip and minister to the children of Dar El Awad. Now, some would say Nathan and I are a little crazy for bringing our 20 month old but I am SO excited to share these moments with him and see the expressions on his face when he plays with the boys.  I know that his smile and free spirit will be such a joy to the boys and the staff of DEA. Taking the trip to Lebanon definitely was not an easy decision. Nathan and I discussed one of us going and the other staying home with Elijah and I remember telling Tim that there was ‘no way’ I could bring a one year old on a 16 hour plane ride!!! After much prayer and discussion with Tim and Sheila  I really felt that God was calling us to Lebanon and that Elijah will be fine to come with us (it’s just part of the adventure right?!!?). I am so excited to see the beautiful country of Lebanon and see what life for the boys is like inside the home. I am really looking forward to our time with the boys, leading a small portion of our VBS and taking the kids to the river.

Lindsey Spears