Missions at any age

Short term mission groups who come to stay at our house here in Costa Rica come in all shapes and sizes. They also come in different ages. Some teams come with all adults and couple. Some come with a completely mixed group from 11 to 65. And some come with mostly teenagers, as is the case with the team from Mechanic Falls, Maine. Of the twelve people on the team, two thirds are of the teenage variety. But that doesn't mean they are any less effective in the ministry department. I was exceptionally impressed with how tuned in these kids were with the Holy Spirit and how willing they were to pray not only for the people in the eye glass clinic or here in the community, but also over each other. 

 The teen girls pray for a man after he received his glasses. The guys not only helped carry water up the mountain to people who still have no running water, but they also played with the kids.

 

 This man walked into the clinic for a pair of reading glasses. Only a few minutes later his son came in for an eye test as well. The son went over to be prayed for with the father and pretty soon the two both burst into tears. The son had been estranged from the family for dating a girl the family didn´t like and had been causing some other trouble in the community and in the family. The father told us he was literally at the point of wanting to kill his son. But this prayer time brought the healing power that only comes through Holy Spirit and the reconciliation of Jesus Christ. The father and son wept and embraced each other. The teens with us were powerful intercessors and witnesses to this incredible act of God.

Chris made some new friends. Hannah and the some of the other girls spent time chatting with this man outside the clinic.

The moral of the story is: Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. ~1 Timothy 4:12

No matter what our age or stage in life, we all have something to offer and give for the kingdom of God if we are bold enough to step our of our comfort zone and listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit.  From the youngest of children to the oldest of adults, God can use us if we are willing. The faith of these teens was inspiring. I see a great future in the Lord for all of them!!