Happy Easter from Gainesville!
Hello friends and family!
Ben and I hope you all are doing well. As we mentioned in our last newsletter, we were able to visit Mayfield, KY, for a few days during March. There, we were able to see a glimpse of the destruction from a catastrophic, fatal tornado that ripped through the small town on December 10, 2020, leaving over 500 families displaced from their homes. We heard the stories of heartbreak and hardship that have plagued the community, and we were able to connect with our partners there who are working on rebuilding the community through disaster relief efforts and sharing the everlasting hope we have in Jesus.
In Mayfield, we are partnering with several organizations that are constructing new homes for several families in the area. Many of these displaced or now homeless families were low-income homeowners or tenants. For those who were homeowners, however, insurance companies have only been paying out the appraised value of the homes from 5 years ago which is significantly lower than what the homes would be valued today. For one specific home we are rebuilding, material and labor costs have been estimated to be 157% higher than what was compensated to the family through insurance. These organizations have been volunteering time and gathering resources through donations to expedite the rebuilding processes so these families can have a place to call home. The youth groups that we have sent and will be sending to the area have been able to help clear land (cut limbs from fallen trees, sort and gather debris, etc), mix concrete, carry lumber, and engage in prayer walks to hear stories and share the Gospel. Not only is there an opportunity to help rebuild society, but there is also an incredible opportunity to bring spiritual transformation to this city. We are so excited to see how God is going to work through our teams this year as they serve families seeking physical and spiritual restoration in Mayfield.
After our trip to Mayfield, Ben and I were able to visit Hilton Head Island, SC, to meet our ministry partners in that area and solidify some setup details for our upcoming trips there this spring and summer. Hilton Head is an area along the east coast known for its 12-mile beachfront, attracting nearly 2 million tourists every year. Despite the touristy areas, however, poverty paralyzes many of the locals on the island. The island’s poorest residents, who are most often elderly, need help cleaning their yard and are often longing to spend time with someone. Teams will be volunteering in soup kitchens, visiting elderly homes, assisting churches in summer camps for kids, and helping clean up beaches while starting conversations with people. We will be starting our summer route in Hilton Head, and we are also anticipating God to work in the hearts of both the participants and the locals on these trips!
Aside from our field work, over the last month, Ben was also able to put together a 10-video training series for our youth groups and their pastors to go through before their trips. This video series walks through the 5 objectives that we have for all of our mission trips:
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Listen in prayer
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Meet a felt need
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Make a meaningful relationship
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Share your faith
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Debrief and respond
Ben partnered with a former youth pastor and several other leaders within our organization who explored each of these objectives more in-depth so that participants would be more prepared for and expectant during their trip. It’s our strategy to achieve each of these objectives so we can see powerful, transformative experiences within our participants and the people we serve.
Ben and I are also excited to announce that we are now working full time! We have decided, because there is a great need in our department at Adventures, to pause our fundraising journey and start full time until the summer ends. Most churches send their youth groups during this time, so summer is one of our most critical seasons. We currently have 44 trips scheduled this summer with more being added every week! We are so thankful for the support we have already received, and this has only been possible through your generosity. We will be revisiting fundraising after the summer season!
As we prepare for the summer trips, we are asking for prayers specifically for endurance. We know it will be challenging 1) physically, to live out of a suitcase and without our own space (praying for a mini camper!), 2) mentally, to be fully engaged with the teams while balancing our specific roles, and 3) spiritually, to constantly be pouring into the youth week after week. Please join us in praying against these challenges and for anything the enemy may have planned against us, and for God to continually fill us with His Spirit and strength!
We are also praying to see people come to know Christ in intimate ways on these trips, whether they are participants or locals in the areas we visit. We want to see irrevocable, undeniable encounters with God. Outside of Mayfield and Hilton Head, Ben and I will also be traveling to Chicago, New York City, New Orleans, New Mexico, Springfield, New Hampshire, Costa Rica, and Puerto Rico. We will be joining and sending teams all across the world and throughout the United States to minister to the homeless, Gen Z, middle-eastern refugees, Native Americans, and many other people groups who do not know Jesus. Prayer is so powerful, and we are confident that God is already preparing hearts right now for what is to come.
As always, thank you all for your continued prayers, encouragement, and support! Ben and I appreciate each of you so much and hope you all have a Happy Easter!
Love,
Brittany and Ben
