Our family has been forever changed...

Taking our family on a mission opportunity has been something my husband and I have wanted to do for a few years now. But honestly, the thought of packing up 7 kids and taking them to parts unknown sounded horrifying to me. Earlier this year, my husband Marion and I traveled to San Antonio for a business trip. Since we were so close to Houston, we decided to take a couple of extra days and travel to see my Uncle David and Aunt Debbie. While visiting, we had many opportunities to learn about HiS Print. I had known that David had a ministry, but I really didn't know much about it. I knew it involved sports, sports equipment and Croatia...that's about it. But after talking with him, we discovered that is was really simply about serving and loving others. David said we should try and come sometime. I asked if he was sure that he was ready for our entire clan to come over...he said he would love it, come on. On our way back home we knew this was the opportunity for our family we had been praying for and so the preparations began.

You get very strange looks when you tell people you are taking 6 children on a mission trip (we decided to leave the baby home with Mimi). Especially when they ask what you will be doing and you answer "I have no idea." I really didn't have a clue about what to expect and so when the kids would ask what are we going to be doing over there, my only answer was "whatever we are asked to do." And boy, did the kids step up and do whatever was asked of them. This mission opportunity was so diverse, it served to the strengths of all of the kids in different ways. Throughout the week each of them told me they wanted to come back next year or asked me if we could do this again. How great is that!!! Here are just a few ways my children were blessed here at HiS House...

Davina (17) loved working at the Library Program. She was asked to present on the NBA and did an outstanding job. She liked interacting with the kids both at the libraries and at the Orphanage. 

Jared (17) enjoyed helping with the baseball practices. It blessed him to be able to help kids learn to throw and catch. He said the smiles of the boys were contagious.

Josiah (13) also presented at the Library Program on the NBA with Davina, he did great. He shared with me that he really enjoyed the daily devotions we had every morning. He liked being able read scripture and pray with everyone from the house.

Chas (12 or Charlie as he was called by Uncle David) really like helping at the Texas Carnival, he manned the S'more station and played with the music team. He also told me how much he just liked hanging out with all the people at the house.

Lucy (10) loved playing and doing crafts with the kids from the Orphanage. She just likes to be around others and helping however she can.

Emma (she's 3) entertained everyone wherever she went with her smile and spunky attitude.

Marion and I both were blessed this week by just being a part of this awesome ministry and team. And what I have shared is only just a tiny portion of what we experienced. We will be a family that serves others. We are becoming a family that is learning what it means to be flexible (I am holding up my little finger, thank you Uncle David). We are teaching our kids that a smile and our presence can be a huge blessing to someone. We are showing our kids that we love God and love people. And that's really what it's all about...love them where they are and love them until they ask why. 

Brenda