Under the Umbrella

When teams go on short-term mission trips, such as the one we are on, they do not go alone. The trip itself is the final journey of a year's worth of prayer, effort, logistic's management and community encouragement. We go, under the "umbrella" of God and the organization of Worldwide Christian Schools.

Worldwide Christian Schools. Where does one begin? HANDS (acconym for Helping Another Nation Develop Schools) gives the average person a mission opportunity. It is for volunteers who would like to make a difference in the the name of Jesus. These teams build or repair schools in many countries around the world, allowing children in these, often the poorest, countries to attend a Christian School. Going on a HANDS Team is often the experience of a lifetime, touching your life as much as you will touch the lives of the people you meet.

When going on a mission trip such as this there is hard work, a new culture to see, enjoy and experience, new people who often become your friends, much worshipping with the hosts and with the team, and there is a new sense how Christ's message is relevant to the whole world - his love has no boundaries! These trips touch your heart.

HANDS Teams go to Honduras, Nicaragua, Belize, the Dominican Republic, Soweto, Zambia and Guatemala. The schools that are built are Christian and have high education standards, there is consideration for the local culture and there is encouragement for these schools to partner with other organizations and not depend of WWCS. WWCS helps build and establish these schools but does not operate them.

My experience of being on three HANDS Teams has been heart-touching. God is using WWCS and his people to bring the truth to places and people who have never had a chance to know Jesus and his life-saving grace. Children are the ones who often bring this message of salvation to their homes and families. Being on a HANDS Team is life-changing and makes me realize that the Good News is not only for us, but for the world. God's message of life is not only for white, conservative, hard-working North Americans but is especially for the down-trodden, the poor, the uneducated, the unemployed, the sad and lonely. His message is for the whole world for "He has the whole world in His hands!"

For more information about Worldwide Christian School please go to www.wwcs.ca There you can see all the teams that are going this year. You will be able to find out more about HANDS opportunities and other programs.