On Saturday February 18, 2006 a team from St. Stephen’s, led by Dan Telep, Mike & Betty Kaszer and including Tom & Shirley Woolaway, Diane & Michael Gulish, Edd Young and Noel Skapik arrived in Honduras for a one week mission trip. On Saturday February 25, 2006 eight of the team left Honduras with Michael Gulish remaining for a few more days. But the question is: what resulted? The answer is: six men and three women have experienced “God changed lives”.

So how does God change lives in eight days? By showing us the hopes and dreams of the people there, a people drowning in poverty yet praising and thanking God for the little they do have. A people with untreated illness and crippled bodies secure in the knowledge God hears and answers their prayers. Children who will run to you, and embrace you with love and laughter while honoring Christ’s words of Matthew 21:16 when He said, “From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise.” Through families who suffer from hunger while inviting you into their homes and serving you a meal. A people who are a perfect example of St. Paul’s words in Philippians 4:12 when he said “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength”. A people whose hearts were joyful because they know Jesus as their lord and savior. God changed nine lives because men and women said yes when asked: who will go? God changed 9 lives because men and women threw off their inhibitions shed tears and prayed for a people in need.

So…how would you like to hear more about how God can change your life? Six men and three women are on fire with the desire to tell you about “Short Term Missions Adventures”. Whether it is a trip of three or four hours to places like Shepherd’s Heart in Pittsburgh or The Café in Aliquippa, a weekend trip to serve on Appalachian Ridge in Phillippi, WV or a weeklong trip to Honduras two things are for certain. First, you won’t know unless you go, and secondly God will show up and change your life!

Noel Skapik