Each time we have returned from a missions trip - foreign or domestic; as a family or with a larger group from church - I am asked to speak on a Sunday morning about the experience.  Inevitably, someone from the congregation approaches me afterwards and says something like, "You make these trips sound so wonderful.  I wish I had the money (or sometimes they say 'the time') to go on one.  Now, I know these people, and this is never said as an excuse.  They mean it, and they sincerely don't have the time or money to go.  

Last summer it hit me: "Organize a short term mission trip to Bridgton"  ( our church's home town. )  With a quick OK from the church's governing board and tons of support from the Pastor, I began to organize.  I approached people to head up different work teams.  Alan, the only MD in our church, was quick to agree t take the week off of work and run a free walk-in medical clinic.  Several nurses in the congregation are contributing a day or two to assist him.  Bob, who had done a mission trip to Appalachia with us a few years ago, agreed to head up a construction team for the week.  He will oversee repairs on homes of some elderly people in town.  Another contractor has committed his entire crew to this team for the week.  Other builders are contributing evenings so they can continue to work at their regular jobs but still be involved.

Suddenly, there were 21 teams and virtually the entire congregation involved.  The Pastor's wife is heading up a team who will deliver fresh baked goods to various key locations in the community: police department, hospital staff, etc.  A retired gentleman who has been a Gideon for decades will be placing new Bibles in all the rooms at the Bridgton hospital.  The Youth group is joining with volunteers from the local Rotary Club to clean up a stretch of highway that passes our church.  Some folks will be leading a hymn sing at the gazebo in town on Wednesday evening.  A retired coach is giving free golf lessons at the local driving range. We will be showing the movie "End of the Spear" at the library on Friday night.  There are events meeting physical, spiritual and social needs throughout our town, and it all began today.

So far there have been three events held today, and a fourth currently happening as I type this.  At 9:00, a free car wash (we didn't even accept donations) was held by the youth group at the town's fire station.  Simultaneously, a group ran a food drive for a local food pantry in front of "Food City", a local grocery store.  Then, at 10:30, I did a show at the Bridgton nursing home.  For the first time in all my shows there, a sign language interpreter from our church interpreted the show for a resident who has been deaf since birth.  Between these three events, about 20 people from the Bridgton Alliance contributed.  We received three large totes of non-perishables for the food drive.  Many people in town have shiny cars, and everyone who came was given more information about the rest of the week's events.

Currently, our church is hosting a piano recital and reception, which is involving another five or so church members.  By the time this week is over, everyone will have contributed to this 'missions' experience, and the town will be better off because of it.

Read about SPARK here:  http://www.keepmecurrent.com/lakes_region_weekly/news/spark-week-keeps-mission-work-local/article_701ba39a-b998-11e2-919d-001a4bcf887a.html