Women Work Trips

The 2010 work trip will be June 27 - July 2, to Christ's Outreach, for the Blind which will be organized and sponsored by the Women's Ministry of Holly Grove CP Church. The Coordinator for this 2010 trip will be Lisa Morgan (Lisa.C.Morgan@usace.army.mil or call at 901.874.8596.) Cost: $215

Click for an Application — Word or PDF

There will be another international trip for women in the future, possibly in 2011 or 2012. Keep a watch on this page as plans develop!

Reflections from members of the International Work Trip to Colombia, SA.

"Lord, Don't Let Me Forget..."

Lord, don't let me forget the sight of:
outstretched arms reaching heavenward in praise and worship to You,
tears of joy and sorrow streaming down the faces of young and old alike,
empty lunchrooms that once fed hot lunches to impoverished children,
beautifully crafted garments, jewerly, and fabrics handmade to perfection by the Women Heads of Families,
lush green vegatation along a countryside so blessed with Your beauty.

Lord, don't let me forget the sound of:
children laughing, clapping, and singing songs of thanks to You for your grace and mercy,
joyful greetings by the Colombian women welcoming friends old and friends new,
excited chatter of the Women's Mission Team sharing stories of God's surprises during the day's journeys
silence as we stood hand-in-hand reflecting on the overwhelming sites and sounds of each moment.

Lord, don't let me forget the smell of:
meals being prepared fresh daily with love, care, and precision,
bodies crowded together shoulder to shoulder in prayer and praise,
poorly ventilated buildings in need of adequate space for teaching children, adults, and the elderly about You,
air mountain air after an afternoon rain shower.

Lord, don't let me forget the taste of:
plantinos creatively prepared fresh from laboring up and down steep mountain slopes,
coffee picked by hand and dried to perfection
fresh fruits and juices readily available from the local farmers

Lord, don't let me forget the feel of:
a child's tiny hand grabbing mine just to share a touch with someone unfamiliar,
heartache for our brothers and sisters in such need and desparation
a hug and kiss from total strangers receiving us into their homes, churches, and hearts,
the Holy Spirit stirring in us as You continued to surprise us every step of the way.
and most of all,

Lord, don't let me forget my promise to You and to Colombia for my work trip has only just begun...

--- written by Sherri Poteet, Elmira Chapel, Longview, TX

Smiles and Laughter

Through the twists and turns of uneven roadwork. Sweet smells of fresh air mixed with the fragrances of flowers combined in an aroma similar to that of a bottle of perfume. Under a canopy of trees folded over intricately to form a pattern.  Sugar cane, coffee trees, mangos, and papayas that formed a view of splendor. In the backdrop of proud mountains echoing the Lord’s majestic name.

It was here we stood, all fourteen of us, in a circle standing and applauding God for a work well done in the city of Popayan, Colombia. It was there in a church filled to its capacity that we could feel the very presence of the Holy Spirit. We heard the Lord in the melodic voices of the congregation singing praises to God Almighty. We felt His power in every word prayed. We saw His creativity in the faces and smiles, the tears and hurt of every man, woman, and child that gathered in the temple.

And as we stood applauding, one child, Ana, stood on the outside of the circle. She was only a toddler, and the daughter of the pastor and his wife. She had been pulled away to allow her parents to so kindly host us ‘foreigners’ who were there. Ana, gleefully yelled at the sight of her father. She smiled and clapped her hands as soon as she saw him. Then, with no hesitation, she began toddling towards him with her arms up as if surrendered. And then, she began to run towards him, faster and faster- as fast as her small legs could go. As she ran, her father bent down to gather her in his arms, his smile just as big as hers. After a few hours of separation, they were reunited with a celebration of smiles and laughter.

As the sun went down and our group of ladies boarded the hot and bumpy school bus to head back to the hotel, our mission group sat in silence. We allowed the images of the day to settle in our hearts. In a sense, we grabbed each other’s hands and began to run together across the circle and into our Father’s arms. And throughout the rest of the week, we ran- we ran fast towards the celebration of smiles and laughter we would receive in the arms of our Father. 

---written by Micaiah Thomas