Contributed by Paula & Wendy Hemphill Maybe you're new to our small orange army. Maybe you've been around a while. But maybe you don't know what we mean when we speak of a Vision Trip. When you signed up as a CA you probably saw that you could earn a trip to the field to see World Vision at work. Each year a small team of CAs earn a spot to do just that! When you go on a Vision Trip you go to the field to SEE the work being done there by World Vision. That being said, being part of a Vision Trip is so much more than just going and seeing for yourself. It's also a great responsibility. Those of us who have had the chance to go have the responsibility of coming home and stewarding the stories we've seen well. A Vision Trip is not like a standard short-term mission trip, in that it's not a service project. When we embark on a Vision Trip we are going to see not do. Learn not teach. We are their to love and support the good work already being done and to uplift and encourage those doing the good work in the field. And when we come home, what we learned can be shared to inspire and encourage people to get involved in that work. Anyone who advocates sponsorship is already a part of that good work-- even if they'll never see the field. Vision Trips can be a life changing experience. I was so fortunate to be able to go on one to Tijuana, Mexico a few summers ago. What I learned there has been so valuable to my ministry. I wrote some very informal notes that the CA Dept asked me to share with you at the time. If you want to take a trip to Mexico today, you can read them here. You, too, can be a part of a Vision Trip. It is not an impossible feat to earn a spot. Almost everyone who does will tell you they really didn't do anything grandiose or mind-blowing to get there. They just shared sponsorship. One child at a time. Sharing sponsorship is so rewarding, and seeing the work that sponsorship does is a life-changing experience. Any CA, with the help of God, can earn a chance to go on next year's Vision Trip. Just order some picture folders here, focus on one child at a time, pray without ceasing, and see what God can do! You can learn more about ministry rewards (like Vision Trips, etc) here. We have a team embarking on a Vision Trip today to see and meet the beautiful people of Nicaragua. As the part of the team who isn't going to be there with them in these World Vision ADPs, we still have a part in their amazing journey. 1. Follow along on Facebook. The CA Dept and other members may upload things for us to see as they are on their journey. 2. Pray for each team member by name and follow along with the prayer calendar Wendy (my awesome Mom and prayer team member) created for us. Let's unify our voices and pray intentionally over the team! Vision Trip: Nicaragua 2016 - Prayer Calendar Team members: Megan, Laura, Salina, Jo, Vicki, Sue, Merrill, Jocelyn, and Kristen SUNDAY/APRIL 10 - Love Makes Us Go! (The Vision Team Departs Today) You hem me in, behind and before, and lay Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain it. - Psalm 139:5-6 Stepping forward in obedience is not always easy. Our enemy shifts into high gear to stop us. PRAY for endurance, health, and safety; complete satisfaction and rest in Christ as the preparation to depart is over; and the journey to be enjoyed. MONDAY/APRIL 11 - We are your Ambassadors (Visit #1, The National Office) Behold, You delight in truth in the inward being, and You teach me wisdom in the secret heart. - Psalm 51:6 PRAY for our Vision Trip Team for unity, humility and grace as they step into the lives of others. PRAY that relationships with the children will develop quickly, and friendships grow naturally. PRAY that every child would feel special with this team. Help the team to learn well, so they can teach us to be great Ambassadors for the kids. TUESDAY/APRIL 12 - The Workers (Visit #2, ADP Regional Office and Home Visit) My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me. - Psalm 63:8 PRAY for our Team as they come alongside and link arms with the workers in the ADP. PRAY that together, the Source of our strength will be celebrated. Together Christ would be made BIG. Together our call and mission would be refined and energized. Together the Lord's patience and mercy would be seen. PRAY that faithful, stronger servants for the Gospel would result, and more laborers enlisted both here and there. WEDNESDAY/APRIL 13 - The Kids (Visit #3 ADP, School and Sponsored Child Visits) Keep me as the apple of Your eye, hide me in the shadow of Your wings. - Psalm 17:8 PRAY that the presence and the power of Christ will be experienced by the children through our Team. God's goodness and grace will be known by every child as having a face and hands and heart to touch and hold. PRAY that everyone would be moved by the love of God and never be the same again. THURSDAY/APRIL 14 - Wrap Up… Final ADP (Visit #4 ADP, A Community Close to Graduating) Oh sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous things! His right hand and His holy arm have worked salvation for him. - Psalm 98:1 PRAY for this team of Child Ambassadors as their cup is full to overflowing – that with God's help, they could process and consolidate all that the Lord has been showing them. PRAY this Day would be one of rejoicing and celebration; a new song to the Lord. PRAY they would leave behind courageous hearts for Christ, and likewise be encouraged in the work. FRIDAY/APRIL 15 - Journey Home Because he holds fast to Me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him because he knows my name. - Psalm 91:14 Most of the team returns home today. PRAY for safety and for good flight schedules. PRAY that this time of travel would be one of fresh and new evaluations. A time to define or redefine their personal call and mission for the kids. PRAY the Lord's simple and uncomplicated message would be embraced and they would be better equipped as Child Ambassadors for the impoverished. Pray for US – that we could learn from their experience and insight. SATURDAY/APRIL 16 - Final Three's Last Mission You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. - Psalm 16:11 PRAY for the last of the team (Megan, Merrill, Laura) as they finish their final day. PRAY that their eyes would see the beauty of Christ in the people of Nicaragua. That indeed, as we minister to the thirsty, hungry and naked – we have ministered to Christ. PRAY the Lord would use this time for them to help lead the Orange Army of CA's on to even greater fruitfulness for His glory. SUNDAY/APRIL 17 - Final 3 Return - What God Starts He Finishes He leads me in paths of righteousness for His Name sake. - Psalm 23:3 PRAY for safety and good flight schedules for the last and final leg of the Vision Trip Nicaragua 2016. Pray that the work, partnerships and observations will be made useful to our national team, and we will be made better Ambassadors for the kids, stateside. PRAY that every Vision Trip member will be refreshed and together we would be better servants for His glory. Want a printable reminder to pray for the team? Click the document below to download. Thank you for your prayers!
Merrill Swenke
4/10/2016 10:34:40 am
Great job!!!! Thank you so much Paula & Wendy for this FANTASTIC blog post & the beautiful prayers for each day!!!!
Wendy Hemphill
4/10/2016 11:21:26 am
God Speed, my Friend ! <3 Comments are closed.
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