It is not uncommon for churches who have sponsored our mission trips to invite us back to report about the trip.  It is uncommon, though, when a church we've never been to invites us to give such a report.  That is exactly what happened, though, with Grace Christian Fellowship of Gorham, Maine.  The secretary where I work attends GCF, and encouraged her church to have us in to discuss our experiences in Paraguay last month.

GCF is a beautiful new building and a large, enthusiastic congregation.  The worship time was sweet, and the people friendly.  A man of about 30 came up to me and said, "Hi, Mr. H."  I knew by how he addressed me that he must be a former student, but I couldn't place him.  It turns out he is Jesse, a student I had as an 8th grader in the 1995 -96 school year.  His younger sister, who I also taught, was at the service as well.  Both are now married and have families of their own.  My wife,Sue asked me if that makes me feel old.  I told her that, no, I felt proud and encouraged.  My repetitive motion injury makes me feel old.  The alarm clock going off at 5:30 makes me feel old, but no, Jesse and his sister Heather don't make me feel old.

I spoke for about 25 minutes about Paraguay.  Then I transitioned briefly to discussing our daughter, Jo's trip to Uganda this summer.  We brought with us a variety of handmade crafts from this African country that we are selling in order to raise money for the orphanage Jo served at this summer.  They are trying to buy an18 passenger van.  Right now, when the children's home director wants to get the kids somewhere, they call a neighbor who, if available, loads all 22 kids into the back of his pick up truck.  After church, the crafts were available for sale, and we raised over $200.  We are hoping that the new van can be a Christmas gift this year!

Before leaving GCF, we spoke with the pastor and his wife about the possibility of coming back to do a full show sometime.  Hopefully that can happen.