Shad's Mission Trips

Once again Shad is planning on doing two mission trips this summer.  He is going back to work in Miami doing neighborhood outreaches and giving out food.  They worked in Liberty City, Downtown Miami and Little Havana.   They worked hard every day and did tent services at night. 


He will also be going back to El Salvador working with the same group he did last year.  They work in the poor areas doing outreaches and food distribution.  They worked in some of the schools in the slums.  They worked with the local churches.  The female in the group witnessed to the girls in the brothels. 

Shad started work in December and has been saving his money to fund these trips and has already put down his deposit.  He is also responsible to bring some food supplies and toys to hand out.  Last year he got blessed by a friend of mine who owns a thrift store.  Someone had donated a ton of unopened McDonald toys and they were perfect for him to hand out. 

If you would like to help him raise money for his trips or give toys or food supplies/candy that will NOT melt... please send a check marked for Shad to: 

Grace Church

7060 Berry road 

Zephyrhills Fl 33540

Both experiences were eye opening for Shad.  I have mixed feelings about short term missions trips but the thing I like about both trips he took is that they are established yearly mission trips through our denomination.  Both trips work with local established churches and have specific goals that help the pastors not hinder them.   Both trips are planned out far in advanced and are there just to assistant the local ministers.  

Being the realist (not sarcastic) person that I am I don't consider my son a "world changer" (too often I see that #worldchanger and roll my eyes)   I think the trips are more of a #shadchanger   It gets him out of his comfort zone and lets him assist local churches to reach their areas.  Maybe it will affect his life long term-who knows God could use this to grab his heart and call him into ministry.  But maybe it'll just be  time where he can help others and keep as a memory to stay humble and grateful for all he has in his life.  He is meeting a need for that week by being there and helping the pastor to reach his goal

Shad is accustom to doing outreaches & working in our church.  He's gone door to door in our town.  He sets up things for our church and runs the sound.   He helps clean the church has done a little yard work at the church.   So he is using skills he already has to help others.  We've taught our kids to serve others and that is something Shad does well.  It is definitely one of his gifts and I love that about him.  

So please keep him in prayer - last year I was a bit stressed about both of his trips but he survived and so did I LOL  I love for both of my boys to have amazing life experiences but at the same time I'd be more than happy to keep them locked safely in a bunker LOL   I totally have a bit of a dual thought pattern going when it comes to them.  I have literally talked with them about travel/work ideas that sound amazing....then totally freaked out and said "absolutely NOT"!!!  They understand my thought process I think!  And yet again I am excited/scared for Shad to do this!

Steve was planning on a mission trip back to Haiti  this year but it just didn't work out with dates and his work.  He is going on a cruise with two friends to Cuba.... that takes a whole other level of faith LOL!!!!  I've already had the "you will be in a Communist country ALONE" talk with him and plan to with his buddies when they get here before the trip.  I'm driving them to the ship so they can be assured I will be lecturing them the whole trip!!!!!  His buddies are great Christian young men but the three of them always get into some type of an "adventure" when they are together.  LOL  

Thank you!!!