Every short-term mission trip brings with it a personal lesson from God. Liz’s message was to remember to rely completely on God for everything—from the big things in life to the smallest details. Her first chance to learn this was when her flight was sent back to Anchorage because of mechanical issues. A few days later she was on her way again only to find the plane from Houston to Villahermosa being sent back. She prayed: “Come on God, I’m half way there! Please just get me there!” Liz eventually arrived safely in Mexico and she told our church that “God really just wants us to trust Him” in all things.
Another example Liz commented on relating to God being involved in the details was the great chemistry of the team. Elizabeth mentioned that we had people from ages 18 to in their 60’s and from all over the world. It was a “random group of people who God brought together and made us an effective team”. God wanted us to trust him with all the little details and when we did things just worked out perfectly.
Liz recalled the song Trust and Obey by J.H. Sammis. Part of the hymn states ‘trust and obey for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus than to trust and obey’. She said that we need to” trust Jesus to work out all the little details, to know that God will take care of it, and then believe it”.
Elizabeth is in Anchorage for a year taking a break between academy and college. It has been a time of personal and spiritual growth and an opportunity to consider being baptized. She said: “Going on the mission trip brought it all together” and she decided to get baptized when she returned home.
At the Reporting Back Service (January 30, 2010), we were honored to watch Lizzie as she commemorated Christ’s resurrection through the waters of baptism. In continuation of the mission trip theme of unity, the entire congregation officially welcomed Elizabeth as our newest member.
His servant,
Lynda
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
“Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.” Romans 6:3-5
Elizabeth and Pastor Thearon Staddon before her baptism:
Elizabeth giving her testimony prior to baptism:
Baptising in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit:
A happy Elizabeth post baptism!
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