One Big Family
Macon Georgia Good Goers trip June 17-22 ‘12

Good Goers experienced a week of God’s affection and fellowship while serving at Hephzibah Children’s Home. We had 3 generations of a family from Pennsylvania along with a large church family from Saginaw Michigan. What continues to amaze me is how God uses perfectly normal people to do extraordinary things for His kingdom.

The group was filled with laughter and cheer. From our first meeting any fears or apprehensions about what God had in store for us was quickly dismissed. We became one family, one church, willing to be used by God for the purpose of serving the needs of orphans and children in need. We laughed, we cried, we worked hard and we had fun! What is so amazing is when a group gives themselves as a living sacrifice to be used by God, awesome things happen.

What joy it is to let God be in charge and to serve as He wants us to serve.

By serving with an open heart and mind and by being open to what HE has planned for us, we were able to experience true harmony! What a delight it was to witness Grandma, Mom, Dad, Sister and Brother all working together; from painting walls to playing with children doing it together. I got to witness firsthand what it is like for grandma and parents teaching their children by example. They were putting their faith into action and leading by example.

Deut 11:19- “Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down
and when you get up.”

What an inspiring way to bond a family unit closer; Closer to each other and closer to God. God allowed me to witness two shy kids blossom with excitement by the end of the week how God was using them. Can you imagine how these children will treat other kids in school that are different from them or how they will realize how grateful they are to having a loving family to guide and teach them?

My church brothers and sisters taught me how to be a family even if we are not relatives. I watched God work through them as they cared for a sister on our team who was not feeling well. I heard them studying and discussing the Word together in the morning. I felt the love in them by seeing how they treating each other with respect and grace. All of them were volunteers and did something for their church and church family. Imagine the synergy in their church! True obedience to God’s calling; being the shakers and movers not just the observers.

“Strangers” at first, “Family” in the end all answering God’s call to serve His children who have no parents, who are teenage mothers or who have no one they can truly look up to.

Sacrificing….. going to a place they have never been before, leaving the comforts of home, offering up vacation time, and offering themselves as a living sacrifice. What amazing examples of families with a servant heart. This Good Goer family not only knew Jesus, but they were Jesus.

While serving wholehearted for the Lord, I bet they will tell you they have been blessed more than they would have ever imagined. I know I have been blessed serving with my brothers and sisters in Christ. Thank you team for your life impacting service!