We all like vacation. And though we don't always admit it we all like work. We certainly like the sense of having accomplished something which matters. When you can combine vacation and work (which is different from your 9 to 5) you’ve got the best of all possible worlds. And when you do, it's often called a mission trip.

It looks like 2008 is going to be KBC’s greatest year of mission trip opportunities yet. Here are a few of them:

1.) The New Baptist Covenant. Now this isn’t a mission trip in the traditional sense, but it is a trip with a mission. We are going to meet with, to learn with, to celebrate with, Baptists from around the nation. We will hear from significant leaders, and experience a historical moment in our denomination’s history. You are invited to attend, but I need to know yesterday!

2.) Cuba. This is happening soon (in about 50 days), but it’s a chance in a lifetime to travel to our sister church and help them re-roof their small church. We have a long relationship with these folks and given the transition which is likely to happen in their society in the next few years... good churches are essential. Contact Pat
Tajkowski if you would like to know more.

3.) The Gulf Coast. We’re still nailing down the dates for this, but we are planning to drive down to a Mississippi gulf town, to help in the ongoing Katrina relief. We have targeted a place which was 80 percent devastated and which hasn’t had the notice or help which New Orleans has. Contact Bill Trefts if you’re interested.

4.) Serbia. In June, Sasa Zivanov will lead another group back to Vrsac and Bella Cyrkva (Eastern Serbia). They group will continue the physical work on the church building, as well as develop relationships with our brothers and sisters in that beautiful part of the world. Details will be out soon about this opportunity.

There are a couple of others you should know about. One is the trip our high school kids are going to take to inner city LA. They will be involved in ministry to those who fit the “least of these” description of Matt. 25. We’ll be hearing more about this trip as the date approaches (mid June).

CBF of MO was planning to take a trip to Kenya in October. This is in relation to our KidsHeart Africa project and was intended to center on meeting medical needs. Given the
current unrest, we aren’t sure where that trip stands. Pray for peace in Kenya.

There is always work for us to do in our back yard, and this I pray we will be ever more sensitive to. But it is good for us to get out in the world and lend a heart and a hand to people in exceptional need. As our vision of the small world grows so grows our vision of Gods great work. I’ve never gone on a trip where I didn’t feel as if I got more than I gave. And I’ve never worked so hard, nor felt so rested as when I’m on a “vocation vacation.”

Scott