Mission, Day 1 – Houston

We rise to another early day, just like our travel days towards Houston. Now we rise to the soundings of a rooster, yes a rooster, here in Houston. Well, some of us hear the rooster, while others can to sleep through just about anything. It had rained overnight and the air is now damp along with the walkways to get over to another building that houses the one men’s shower and two women’s. The air is also brisk enough to wake most people up…..even before the cold shower. After showering, it will be time for devotions.

The students and I go over the Gospel of John 1:29-42, the calling of the first two disciples of Jesus. We are about to leave in mission and we are reminded that we are to be disciples following the light of Jesus. That as we follow Jesus, we are not only in the midst of His light, we are the light as well. Sometimes we may be the only glimpse of the light that others see. Oh, just wait until we get out and encounter the people of Houston. Ahh this is opportunity for mission to others. We are ready for our fist stop.

Saving Smiles welcomes us to be in mission with them to the children of the schools of Houston. The goal today is to be with over 250 second grade children and provide them with free dental check ups and cleaning. This very well may be their only opportunity to see a dentist. There are numerous volunteers to make this all come together. We encounter doctors, teachers, micro biologists, health department workers, single mom’s, parents, and the list goes on. These volunteers help move the children from one location to another, setup fans because it is very hot, educate, provide assistance to fill out information, setup for lunches and when all done, we move them back to their school bus and on back to school. The children are coming on a field trip, to learn about their teeth and get them cleaned. To see the smiles of teeth is great, they are bright, bright as the light of God, of Jesus if you look.

The children are the reflection of the light, as we are. They are innocent, their smiles convey something special about today, something that you just cannot encounter everyday walking upon the street. Their smiles is also the light of Jesus and although sometimes we can believe we are the disciples bringing the light…the light is brought to us, to the least of these, and whoever does for the least of these does to me Jesus says, and that is when Jesus is smiling too.

I am so very lucky to see all 250 children. They are headed back to school and our ministry team is headed out to Open Door Mission, where we prepare food for a multitude of men who live at the ministry. Some are very ill and need care physically. Many are in programs to recover from all sorts of addictions. Four dozen eggs are cracked, lots of chicken is cooked and over 100 pounds of potatoes are pealed and chopped. During preparations we have opportunities to listen to the stories of the men of the mission. Some speak about sports, others quiz you about your biblical knowledge, while still others want to speak with you regarding some very controversial political or biblical issues.

I encounter someone I will call Bill. He is a 22 year old man recovering from narcotic addictions. Bill pipes in his take on a sin discussion I am having with another person. After the other man leaves, Bill tells me that he does not believe in God. He goes on to tell me why and at the same time he asks me why certain things are the way they are if there is a God. Throughout our our conversation, Bill takes the stance of no God but all his questions are of one who is seeking to find God. Bill was a seeker of the truth and God is that truth he is seeking. He is probing not only myself but others too that he encounters there. Bill does not believe…..Bill desperately wants to believe……I pray that Bill’s eyes are opened to the truth revealed in the light of Jesus.

There are more stories, more encounters, more mission that happens. More will be shared when we return. Come back to the blog for thoughts of others during the trip.