Michigan Mission Trip 2010

by Miranda Manus

On June 19th-26th, myself as well as eight others (Brian Manus, Bill Kaufman, Randy and Debbie Kidd, Debbie Bradford, Maeve Brackin and Dee and Fuzzy Johnson) embarked on our journey to Pellston, Michigan, leaving the church at 6 am. We drove about seven hours and stopped at a quaint little eatery in Indiana. There we celebrated Fuzzy Johnson's birthday. We drove until about 8 pm that evening and stopped in Charlotte, Michigan about six hours from Pellston. The next morning we left around 7 am and headed to Pellston, Michigan, the "Icebox Capital of the Nation". (It's gets very cold there.) We arrived at Grace Community Church at approximately 2 pm and got busy decorating for Vacation Bible School (VBS) the next day.

The VBS theme was Saddle Ridge Ranch and boy did we look the part! We were all looking forward to meeting the kids and parents in the community and some of us even stood at the end of the driveway and waved as cars passed by. The first day we had 12 kids. Now, that may not sound like a lot but, for a small community that is a lot. We were blessed to have each and every child there. It was definitely a challenge at times. Some of the kids came from very horrible home lives, some came with a basic knowledge of God and a couple were already saved.

After VBS ended each day the church had volunteers that would feed us lunch. Then each afternoon we had something specific planned. Monday we prayer walked the entire community. This is a town where poverty has struck very badly. There are a bunch of single moms and single grandmothers raising kids on their own. The unemployment rate in this area is through the roof. But there is good news! My husband, Brian Manus, was able to go last year as well. He prayerwalked the same streets this year as he did last year and he said that God truly has answered some prayers. There were less houses being sold in foreclosures, the yards and houses were cleaned up compared to the year before and people's spirits were raised. We truly have seen God's healing power in that community.

Tuesday after VBS, we were able to go on an excursion to Mackinac Island. We boarded a boat and headed across Lake Michigan in some of the densest fog I have ever seen. It was pretty eerie. Once over there it turned out to be a beautiful day. Now on the island they do not allow motorized vehicles of any sort. Everything is done with horses or you may travel on bicycle. This day so happened to be our 7th anniversary and we got the privilege to go on a horse drawn carriage tour of the island. It was amazing. The houses, the horses, the shops, the flowers, the boats, the water, everything was just great. We all had such a good time.

Wednesday we had the privilege to help with the church's food pantry. This pantry serves hundreds of people monthly and is a much needed ministry in this area. I was truly blessed to be a part of it and to hear the people's stories in the community and to also see how the people at Grace Community Church have formed a bond, a relationship with these people that come to them in their time of need.

Thursday we traveled to nearby Petoskey to have a block party. We set up in a beautiful park right on the shore of Lake Michigan. There we had the Titanic blow up slide for the kids, we served hot dogs, snow cones and cotton candy. Brian rapped and we did several puppet and skit numbers. At the end Brian gave the invitation and I observed many people praying for forgiveness. I have witnessed many, many, outreach events over the past 4 years and I must say that the presence of the Holy Spirit was so strong at this event. We had numerous people come up to us afterward and tell us their stories and testimonies. God was at work that day in the lives of many people who were out there at the park.

Friday, the last day of VBS, we had a total of approximately 20 kids come through the church doors. I know that I received such a blessing to be a part of this trip and to be able to plant seeds in the hearts of those children along the way. All the kids did such a great job learning their scripture memorization and the motions to the songs. I know that each one of us had a child or two that really touched our hearts. After the parents picked up their kids we headed to the fellowship area for a final meal together. We talked about all the fun we had, but most important all the seeds we planted and lives we potentially changed. I know that each and every one of us considered it an honor and a privilege to be there doing the work God had entrusted us with.

My prayer is that if you have never went on a mission trip, whether it be local or overseas, please go. It WILL change your life. There is so much work to be done in such a cruel and sinful world.