Arrival and day one!

Last night we arrived at Dallas Bible Church's youth ministry building after a long van ride and went to straight to an orientation meeting about what we're going to be doing this week along side another missions team from Dallas. On the way here, we stopped at an Ethiopian restaraunt in Pflugerville. For those that couldn't handle the spices and heat it wasn't good, but for the rest of us... including myself, it was by far some of the best food I've ever had.

We had a typical mission trip morning, some meaningful quiet times and a delightful breakfast, although it didn't sit well with Josh Berry. During my quiet time and after I felt a great sense of excitement about what we'll be doing this week. I've had a sense all along not to worry or fear anything, because I know that God has a plan for us, and I have accepted that. By that I am fearless. There is nothing but love on this trip, and you can tell by our collective attitude.


We drove to the refugee apartment complex after breakfast to participate and lead in todays activites with the kids. There is quite the age range and an array of maturity levels, as you can imagine. One boy nicknamed JuJu, who is a football player in fifth grade told me about how he loves to play football and injured seven people last season. He was born in Sudan. He lived there for eight months and doesn't remember much of it, as I'm sure most of the older kids who have lived in the U.S. longer don't. They are much more American-ized than I myself anticipated.

On the other hand, some of the younger children neither speak nor understand most English. During mid-day, my buddy JuJu had to go to football practice, so I was assigned another student. His name is Botrous, a nine year old in third grade. Botrous is a very curious and outgoing kid, he also has ADHD so it's hard to keep him following the rules especially when he wanders away.


Later in the afternoon after our VBS at the refugee apartment complex, we enjoyed taking the DART train in to downtown Dallas and going to the amazing Dallas Zoo with all of our assigned buddies! This was one of the best experiences I've ever had. We enjoyed walking around and talking with everyone on the mission trip team and their buddies, seeing all the animals and taking lots of 'zany" pictures! All of the kids enjoyed riding the train and looking at the African animals which are native to some of their own home countries. As a team we loved getting to talk to the kids about the gospel and ask them about their knowledge so far of Adam and Eve, and God's work in general.

At one point I could feel God showing me marvelous things on a very tangible and personal level. We entered a cafe in which one wall is completely glass and looks out into the lion exhibition. A gorgeous lioness sauntered over to the window and began to look around. In this instant I was imagining how God created this truly beautiful creature. The giraffes and elephants were also very stunning examples of God's power and ultimate creativity. To think that we take sights like these for granted some times is mind-boggling. God has so much to show us in our daily lives, but we must surrender to His will completely to understand some of it.


This is already the first day and I am filled with passion for this week. I value each individual on this team and pray intensly that through the love of Jesus Christ amazing things will be done within us, so that amazing things can be done through us.


Continue to keep us in your prayers, and continue to keep the children in your prayers as well. Do not fear for us, fear God.

With love and tired fingers,

Spencer Rutledge