Two years ago Nancy and I and our children had the opportunity to join the team that was sent to the Door of Faith Orphanage in Ensenada, Mexico. It was a moving experience for our whole family.

This year we’re going again from Saturday, November 23 through Wednesday, November 27. (There’s still time to be part of this service opportunity! Scroll to the end of the blog for more details, including how you can sign up.)

Door of Faith serves over 100 kids. Each week they prepare 2,850 meals, change 567 diapers, do 480 loads of laundry, make 98 trips to school, go through 70 gallons of milk, give 45 haircuts, and celebrate 2 birthdays. There are lots of practical ways to engage and help.

Next Gen Pastor David Newkirk has taken his entire family on this trip as well. He has written a reflection about things they’ve learned through this process, and I wanted to share it with you by way of encouragement.

Sincerely,

David Anderson
Lead Pastor

You want me to take my family to serve at an orphanage in Mexico?! It’s during Thanksgiving week – where would we find the time? Is it really worth it? 

You would be surprised at how many times my wife Celia and I interact with amazing and godly parents who are asking questions just like these when we talk about our Door of Faith Orphanage mission trip.

We have learned that no mission trip is convenient. No cross-cultural trip is without legitimate safety concerns. Then, when you add in taking your kids, you can watch everyone’s tension and anxiety skyrocket.

As a parent, I’m familiar with the many reasons for not doing international mission trips with kids: the cost, scheduling immunizations, the daunting effort of preparation, risks to health and safety, the distraction our children may pose to the “real work” of missions.

The concerns are real. Celia and I feel them and have had those same concerns and questions ourselves. Yet, we still feel strongly that you should consider sacrificing a couple days during your Thanksgiving break to serve.

Why? 

Here are 3 lessons we have learned after taking our 3 boys on this trip:

1. It brings lasting impact.

For their sake. We learned quickly that preparing, going and recovering from a mission trip with your family has the potential to bring great impact in your lives. As you go, you can teach your kids to see people, cultures, and stories through the lens of the Bible. People from different countries aren’t just interesting people; they are people Jesus died to save. Now your kids can pray for those people by name.

Traveling to another country and serving gives your children a front-row seat to view God’s great power, love, and compassion in a different way. Also, as hard as it is for me to admit, it is life-changing for your kids to see you out of your comfort zone, vulnerable and trusting God in a way you might not if a Chick-fil-A is right around the corner.

For your sake. Taking children along, whether they are 15 months or 15 years old, forces you to view the world through their eyes. How are they adjusting? How are they interpreting what they see? How are they seeing and sharing Jesus in a way you’ve never considered before? Seeing your children being used to build God’s kingdom has such an impact on your parent heart.

2. Kids open doors.

A child is a sure way into the heart of most people. Kids reach across the barriers of almost any culture, offering a less-threatening way to engage. Other parents who see their child engaging in a positive way with your child will be more open to building a relationship with you.  This is true at the park near home, and it is true in Mexico. Kids are spark plugs for relationships!

3. It allows simple connections.

The goal of going on a cross-cultural mission trip is to serve God and serve those around you. Celia and I have taken hundreds of students on trips. We have planned all sorts of activities and ways to engage the local community. Many times we have over planned and over expected.

With our own kids we have learned to keep it simple. We serve people by entering into a relationship of love and mutual respect.

With this in mind, we encouraged our boys to be themselves. Grab a basketball and go play! Find a way to enter in with what the kids are already doing. Keep your eyes open for opportunities to have fun. Yes, the language is different, but the fun you have with others is the same. Allow simple connections to build deeper relationships.

Soon we found our boys playing, laughing, and finding creative ways to communicate. It happened more easily and more naturally than anything we could have planned out. It also allowed Celia and I to serve in tangible ways with the orphanage workers.

Yes, it can be daunting to step out in faith and serve cross culturally.

Yes, there are going to be dozens of reasons not to go that flood your mind.

However, what could it look like for your family to say yes to this opportunity? What might God do? 

As you think about these questions, please know that I’m praying for you. However the Lord leads you and your family, I’d love to be part of encouraging you on your journey of faith.

Sincerely,

David Newkirk
Next Gen Pastor

P.S. If you are interested in serving at Door of Faith with us this year, please REGISTER HERE. Questions? Feel free to reach out to me at david.newkirk@churchoftheopendoor.com.

“The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forever.” (Psalm 121:8)