The following is an overview of Lake Oconee Presbyterian’s recent mission trip as provided by the mission trip team participants. Please scroll down to the bottom to view a slideshow from the trip.

The preparation for our mission trip to the Cree Indian Reserve in Hobbema, Canada in July of 2011 began in March of 2011. The mission trip team held nine meetings every other week, in which each member was assigned to different aspects of the trip such as Vacation Bible School, publications, construction and safety, debriefing and photography, and spiritual growth and development.

Three other churches participated in the mission trip. It was the fourth year for Westminster Presbyterian Church of Rock Hill, SC which had seventeen participants. It was also the fourth year for Hope Presbyterian Church in Teaneck, NJ, which had fifteen participants. Hallelujah Presbyterian Church of Edmonton, AB had five participants.

The Cree Indian Reserve consists of 4 tribes – Louis Bull, Ermineskin, Montana, and Sampson. This was LOPC’s fifth mission trip to the Louis Bull reserve to work with Pastor Marcus Toole at the Jesus Church. We have been invited to minister next year at the Montana reserve as well, which is an answer to prayer.

It was a two-fold ministry as our team traveled to Hobbema. One ministry is of words, of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ and His merciful forgiveness of sin, of salvation by grace alone and of eternal life. It is God’s plan for His people, the church, to be the means by which the gospel message is delivered to the world, and through the work of the Holy Spirit the hearts of the elect are regenerated and they receive the gifts of repentance and faith.

The second ministry is one of works or deeds. We go to help those in need, those without the ability or resources to make needed repairs on or maintain their homes, many of which are literally falling apart, that have broken windows, that let in the rain or that have defective plumbing that leaks or is plugged. Don’t think that the works ministry is just a means of getting our foot in the door to share the gospel. Though such opportunities do exist and we take advantage of them, works ministries provide services that are truly needed and give trip participants an opportunity to put feet to our faith and model our faith by example.

You cannot participate in a mission trip without your heart being struck by the need for sharing the gospel and without being deeply moved by diverse members of the body of Christ service as one to help others, motivated by His love for us.

A typical day would consist of the following:

1. Wake up time from 6:00-7:00 a.m., which allowed personal time and devotional study.
2. Team breakfast was at 7:30, where we served each other and cleaned up together.
3. Group debrief and day’s projects began at 8:30 a.m.
4. Lunch was served at 11:45 a.m.
5. Vacation Bible School began at 12:30 p.m. for some, while others returned to their work projects.
6. Workers returned from projects or VBS at 5:00 p.m.
7. Dinner and cleanup from 6:00-7:00 p.m.
8. Group devotional and worship from 7:00-8:00 p.m.
9. Individual church devotional and worship from 8:00-9:00 p.m.
10. Bathroom lock down was from 9:30-10:00 p.m. for cleaning
11. Lights out at 10:00 p.m.

There were several projects selected by the Louis Bull Council for our mission teams to work on which included:

1. Smokehouse and traditions teaching building
2. Gable storage shed
3. House needing exterior painting
4. Playground equipment dismantling and removal

The Gospel is at work. Christians are beginning to earn the respect of the Cree people. This really came to light at the appreciation dinner that was put on for us on one of our last dinners. The tribal chief showed up and a few elders. They brought in caterers and drummers that did several songs in honor of our group. The chief and elders expressed their appreciation for our continued commitment to the reservation.

This year it was most evident why we keep coming back. Our short term trips with long term goals are obvious and impacting to the Cree people’s lives. We thank the LOPC congregation for sending us through their outpouring of contributions and with their prayer support.