The Ayers Family is going Back to Pealington, MS


Yes - you did read that correctly - we are going back to Pearlington -but this time as team leaders of a small team from our church.

I lead a 5th grade Sunday school class and knew that I wanted the class to adopt the town of Pearlington this year. As I began to think about this, God began to lay the vision of taking a group of them down along with their families to minister. I like working with 5th grade students, but spending 20 plus hours in a van with them - God had some convincing to do. It didn't take long because Gary and I took 7 kids to Pearlington in March and seeing what bringing kids into a community that had been destroyed by the Hurricane was amazing. But no one at Bethlehem, my home church has taken a group of upper elementary students on a ministry trip. So I dismissed the thought as being unattainable. But God can be persuasive and kept pushing the thought of this trip into my thoughts. I knew that I needed to peruse the idea and figure out if what God had laid on my heart was even possible.

The first person I started talking with was Gary. He had been there, knew the lay of the land so to speak and is pretty level headed. I really didn't think he would be interested. His response was "Check it out and see what God does." I began to think that maybe God was up to something, but didn't want to get to excited.

The next stop was to see the pastor at my church in charge of the Children's ministry. I was not even prepared for his response. It was overwhelmingly positive and he was full of ideas as well, especially in directing me in things like what the next steps were, where to go to get the final approval, volunteering staff to help get the word out once the approvals were gained, etc. He told me that he loved the vision of families ministering together and wanted to see this trip happen.

By this time, my kids had gotten wind of this trip and were very excited and planning. I was still trying to catch my breath and take in what God was doing. It was at this point that I thought before I go to get the final approval, I wanted to run it by someone who has been involved long term in Pearlington - making sure that there weren't any problems that I overlooked. I sent off my email and waited. The answer took longer in coming than I expected but as I waited, I prayed for God to do the impossible and began to pray for those that Go might be calling to come on this trip. Just as I was about to give up, since I had not heard back, the answer came back from Jon and it too was very positive and encouraging.

By now, God had given more ideas and I needed to commit everything to paper for the final approval from the Family Ministries Department. The initial contacts that I had from Pastor Brad were very positive and encouraging. He was also really excited about the vision and wanted to do everything he could to make the trip happen. When I met with him, he was encouraged at how much thought had already gone into the trip and the details that I had already thought of. He helped me work up a budget and put the outline of the trip into the hands of someone who will be helping with the publicity. I am still amazed at the exceeding and abundant way that God has worked.

All are encouraged by the vision of seeing families working together. But I also felt the Lord leading to partner with The Adventure Girls program, which is an outreach that our church has to the inner city. Lord willing I will have at least 2 girls from this program and one of their leaders joining us on this trip.

Here are some basic details - The trip will be in November over Thanksgiving week. The team will be about 20-25 people and the cost will be about $300. The trip is for 5th graders, maybe 6th and their families. Why Pearlington? Because that is where my church sent a team right after Hurricane Katrina hit in August 2005 - ( for the story of how the team ended up here - see
http://www.pearlingtonms.blogspot.com/)


I am currently still amazed at how God has worked. I am also feeling very overwhelmed by organizing this type of trip.

Here are some ways that you can help - Pray, Pray and Pray some more.

*Gary and I have asked some adults who work with the 5th grade department to join us in the leadership for this team. Pray that God will make it clear to them whether this is right for them. I am excited about those that God has laid on our heart to join this team. It is a good mix of ages, abilities and would be a fun group to work with.
*Pray for Betty who will be putting together the promotional items for this trip. There is not a lot of time to get this out before the families in my class and those at the south campus. Pray that the vision will be communicated clearly
*God has given me some great contacts while in Pearlington. Pray that God will give us some good projects to work on while we are there. From the initial contacts I have made, it is hard to think that far into the future - most are still planning for September. So it is hard to tell people what we will be doing, since even those living and working there can't tell me. The situation is fluid and things change daily, but parents, especially want to know what their kids will be doing.
*As I said, I am feeling a bit overwhelmed. I already had a lot on my plate and this just adds to the fullness I was already feeling. Pray for wisdom to balance all that God has given.
*I will be spending time teaching the kids that go on this trip about journaling their walk with the Lord and the leaders going will be modeling what it means to serve others as Christ would. Pray that this will make a lasting impact on their lives.
*Above all Pray that God would be glorified and His kingdom advanced as a result of this trip.