Recent Mission Trips
At the Kirk we are involved in reaching our community, nation, and world with the gospel. Read more about some of our most recent mission trips.
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Costa Rica 2009
Jesus answered, “The most important command is this: ‘Listen people of Israel! The Lord our God is the only Lord. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second command is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There are no commands more important than these.” Mark 12:29-31
A wise pastor (Dan Bair) once said, “Leave your expectations at home. Be open to all the possibilities God has for you on this trip.” And so, we packed our bags – maybe a bit nervously - wondering about the language barriers, the jobs we were leaving behind untended, emergency contact numbers, cold showers, life without Blackberries, and eating rice and beans three meals per day. Without expectations, we walked into the open and loving arms of a small Costa Rican mountainside, farming community and had THE TIME of our lives! 
Dan was right – God was in control – and the possibilities came rapid fire! Our lives were touched – and changed – by the show of neighborly love. We hope that you can find a bit of yourself in the team’s (ages 9 – 50+) testimonies below and be moved to participate in the Kirk’s local and international missions.
If this was your first mission trip, what fear or challenges did you overcome by going on the trip?
I like controlling my space, time, diet & don’t speak a foreign language so I thought I wouldn’t be much help on a mission trip. But I learned it is just about being there – whoever you are, God can use just your presence for people to feel His presence.
My largest fear was communication – but I overcame that with the help of dictionaries, gestures, humor, and the help of other team members. I thought Pastor Fanelli had my name confused when he kept calling me “linda” & I kept correcting him until my teammates told me it meant beautiful.
I overcame my fear of BUGS (& they are BIG in CR!) by just turning it over to Jesus and focusing on the special people around me.
What did you like best about this mission trip?
I loved the interaction with the people of Costa Rica. We went to serve but they served us with heaping helpings of love and affection, and of course, lots of wonderful food!
Forming special bonds with team members, morning devotionals, singing songs in Spanish, playing soccer on a mountain top against a real, honest-to-goodness local club team, Pastor Fanelli jumping into my arms after my diving save as goalie, a father figure who cries in your arms while wearing your too big baseball cap as the bus is loaded for departure, laughter of children, roosters crowing at 3 a.m., 50 women knitting diligently in one room, the giving and receiving of gifts, and raindrops on a tin roof at night. The utter reliance and surrender to the Lord and realizing you must be flexible - as you are on his schedule.
Living in people’s homes, experiencing life as a Costa Rican, and the love, generosity and grace exhibited me as a stranger in a foreign land.
I think other people would enjoy a mission trip because….
You leave your routines and ‘walk across the room’ to an entire community. It is truly exhilarating for those of us that find it difficult to reach out and strike up a conversation with our own neighbors, let alone bright faces filled with anticipation who do not speak your language.
You come back SO glad that you didn’t let your fears shackle you – that you trusted the Lord and He was more than faithful. You get to experience the beauty of God’s creation and it was SO MUCH FUN!
It opens your mind, heart and soul to becoming what Christ calls us to be. My desire to be of service to others has only deepened. I think other people who are not very outgoing would enjoy a mission trip because we grow and open up when we allow the Lord to work through us.
It brings you closer to God and because it was fun living in a different culture.
The single most important purpose of a mission trip is….
Learning that a mission trip isn’t “pounding the Word” into people. Rather it is just showing love, which is so simple – even when you cannot communicate easily!
Less is more – “more” is a distraction from experiencing God’s presence and work in your life.
A soccer game, a knitting lesson, a game of hide and seek are all venues for witnessing God’s love.
It’s not about ME. It’s not about YOU. It’s about US.
Kathleen Harris
Mission Arlington 2009
I spent one week in Arlington Texas with a group of about ten other ninth graders. This experience was different then any I had previously experienced. I was immediately put into situations that pulled far beyond my comfort zone while bringing me much closer to God and the people around me.
A woman, Tilley, and her husband started Mission Arlington. These two amazing people were missionaries in Korea for years, and when they returned home Mission Arlington was founded. Mission Arlington has everything; medical and dental clinics, food, clothing, furniture, and people that go to different places throughout the community to spend time with those in need. The first day of missions work in Arlington we got the opportunity to do delivery and pick up. We drove to the homes of people who had excess that they were willing to give us. We took these donations back to the mission and got an assignment of supplies to bring to a family. As I was helping to sweep the bottom of the moving truck so the furniture wouldn’t get dirty Tilley came over and helped us. She held a trash can at the end of the truck so trash wouldn’t get on the ground. I immediately took notice of her attention to detail. She was running the mission the right way, not cutting even the smallest corner. Another student of our church asked if she did all this while she pointed to the main building of Mission Arlington. Her answer really got me thinking. She replied by saying that she did none of this, but rather that God had done it all. I thought about this for the next four days as I was drenched in sweat, tired, and dehydrated. The one thing that made me feel better was to look at the impact that I had made. One day in particular, when we unloaded hundreds of fold-up chairs and tables from a giant truck just to load them back into the truck in a neater fashion, it gave me a big sense of accomplishment to think that I had done so much work and I had the organized truck, tables, and chairs to show for it. Then I would remember Tilly’s answer and be humbled. All I had to show for my work was a humbled body and mind.
If nothing else, I will always remember that I’m not special for what I do, because I would be unable to do anything without God by my side. I wouldn’t even be here without God. I can’t even put to words how humbled I am when I truly think about the depth of Tilley’s response. Now when I accomplish something, I give God a big old pat on the back, because without God I am nothing and can do nothing.
Annie Poss
Goodland 2009
The weekend (June 5-7th) was very pleasant for our group. The boys were there and we had some conversation with them as well as sharing a meal or two. On Thursday, five of our men went down early to make plans for repair work and to purchase materials. Friday morning we took the Kirk van and by noon most of us were at Goodland.
Friday afternoon the ladies started assembly of a mailing project for the Goodland Academy. It was a large job and they did complete the work on Saturday. Friday evening we took the boys to Paris, Texas, for pizza. Later that night Erwin King led the Bible study. He did such a good job that we got him to lead the Saturday morning devotion.
Erwin had volunteered for any or all of the lessons and it was great to have him do this as some who were going to lead the study were not able to attend or others were delayed in arriving at Goodland.
Saturday was a busy day. We started with a great breakfast prepared by Donna and Ken Martin and others. Projects for the day included: repairing doors to cottages, replacing rotting fascia boards on a cottage, building and installing heavy board window coverings on "The Weight Room".(this was done to prevent falling weights from breaking glass windows), completion of the mailing project, and sorting books for the library. There were probably other projects done as there was activity everywhere.
Later Saturday night the boys and our ladies piled on D.C. Adams' truck and motored down to the fire circle just south of the Goodland campus. There they had fun with "smores" (cooked/burned marshmallows, Hershey bars, and graham crackers). D.C. Adams told a ghost story which the children enjoyed very much.
Saturday night Bible study was led by John Cary. We all enjoyed John's presentation and many of the group responded to the discussion. John spoke about discussions with non-Christians where he is called on to stand up for us Christians.
Sunday morning was a nice time as we spent time together with no projects and we attended church at the Hugo, First Presbyterian Church. Our group with the boys comprised a large part of the congregation. Prior to going to church, Carolyn Davis led us in a devotion which was well received by all. She spoke about her first mission trip.
After church, Peggy Parks treated us and the Goodland group to lunch at Braum's. A good time was had by all and we left Goodland once again inspired by the good work bring done there to mold fine young men from boys whose parents can't provide a good home atmosphere. There were 22 of us who went this year. If you haven't been there for the annual mission, do talk to someone who has been there. You will want to go there and come away with blessings from seeing what is being accomplished at the Goodland Academy.
David Watts
Nicaragua 2009
“El Pollo” we shouted with gusto while gathering in a big circle outside the clinic with our new Nicaraguan friends from el Limonal. Arnie Dahl led us in this rousing ice-breaker as we sang, danced and laughed while learning everyone’s name.
The day before, our team had met in the Tulsa airport at 4:30 a.m. and checked our luggage which included sixteen suitcases full of medication and supplies. Then we were off to Managua,Nicaragua. We were met by our wonderful missionaries from Christ for the City, Mary Ezzell, Carey Franklin and Alcides Fuentes who whisked us away in our old school bus, luggage on top, for a quick tour of the capital city. We stayed overnight in bunk rooms at the Baptist House and went to English speaking church the next morning. It was a blessing to see so many teams of young missionaries there.
That afternoon we drove nearly three hours to el Limonal to set up the clinic and meet our new friends, the members of two churches who were sponsoring us. We found the clinic building to be tiny, with no running water and very erratic electiricity. However our hosts were so loving, accepting and well organized that we gave thanks to God for all His blessings. We found a small room for Dr. Pat Daily to set up her Gynecology clinic and one for Dr. David Kolker and his wife Nancy to do eye examinations and give their patients appropriate glasses. We found a tiny space for P.A. Rebecca Shepard to see her medical patients and one for the Nicaraguan doctor who joined us. The pharmacy was situated back in a corner with some meds still in suitcases and others on a table. It was manned by Dr. Max Deardorff and Geoge Hertensteiner. After the clinic was set up, we all met in the yard, formed a huge circle and played the aforementioned el Pollo, a chicken dance where everyone gets acquainted.
The next morning clinic began at 8:00. Patients were met at the door by triage nurses Marla Brierly, Sally Crawford and Blair Blackman who took their vital signs and wrote down a brief statement of their health concerns. The triage station was, of necessity, out in the hallway as were the prescription translators Leda Bair, Kip Crawford, D. D. Blackman and Julia Smith. There were no further rooms. Our wonderful medical translators April Smith, Leda Bair and Arnie Dahl worked non-stop to ensure that everyone could understand each other’s needs. Nurses Lee Ray and Ken Shepard cheerfully circulated to wherever they were needed. There was a program to entertain the children whose parents were receiving medical treatment. Members of our team graciously took turns playing games and doing crafts with these beautiful tots. Between the doctor’s appointment and the receiving of their medication, the patients were evangelized one to one by members of the churches using the amazing EvangiCube. Before our team arrived, the church members had received tickets to provide entrance to the clinic. They were instructed to keep 25% and give away the other 75% to their unchurched friends and acquaintances.
There were many blessings during this mission trip, almost too many to count:
- The blessings we felt during our daily devotions as we reflected on how our experience related to Jesus’ sending out His disciples to extend the message of the Kingdom of God.
- The humility we felt as April passed out the prayer cards that had been filled out by Kirk members to each of us.
- The look of utter amazement on the faces of those patients who had been fitted with appropriate glasses and realized they were seeing well for the first time.
- The delight at watching 99 year old Antonio singing a duet with Arnie for the patients who were waiting outside in 100º heat to see the doctor.
- The hope we have for the 22 year old woman with two small children who is otherwise all alone and is going blind with cataracts. Members of our team are finding a way to help her.
- The joy we saw in the faces of our dear missionaries Mary, Carey, Amber, Nathan, Alcides and Sileny
- The amazing sounds of prayers being uttered aloud and all at once by the congregations of Esmirna Church and Filadelfia Church as their Pastors Rolando and Bismarck prayed aloud. Surely this beautiful roar reaches the Gates of Heaven.
- Our thankfulness for Jo Lydia, our wonderfully resourceful and loving cook and Ariel, our amazing bus driver who drove us out of many tight spots and over nearly impassable roads.
- The majestic beauty of the volcanoes on the Island of Ometepe.
- The delight of joining in on the 15th birthday festivities of Julia Smith
Though we undertook our medical mission with “a servant’s heart” and tried to make a small difference in the health of the people of el Limonal, it was evident that we received blessings beyond measure from these beautiful Nicaraguan people. They have very little materially and an abundance spiritually. They gave us everything they had. God Bless them.
Sally Crawford
Ica, Peru 2009
This is the second trip to Ica for a mission team from the Kirk. Last year we found a vibrant church - El Shaddai - of around 600 members active in their local area and helping to facilitate a country wide Literacy Training Institute for Literacy & Evangelism International (LEI). Several times during last years visit Pastor Martin pulled leaders of the group aside with the comment, “Tell me about missions.” Now this was a curious statement coming from a pastor who had an active program within the church evangelizing the local and nearby communities as well as providing humanitarian assistance to those devastated by the recent earthquake.
But over the coming months God began to give him a broader vision for mission. As a result he had already put in place a 4 day mission festival for his church which just happened to coincide with our return visit. Roland was asked to open the Thursday evening service with an hour on “The importance of Missions.” With the translation time, Roland was relieved to learn he only had to prepare a 30 minute message!
As a result of the four evening services, the church has now internalized the Pastor’s broader vision with 8 young people coming forward to give their lives to full-time mission service through the church. Pray for these young people and the Pastor as they seek God’s will in preparing them for the Lord’s service in Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth. In addition to participating in the churches mission program, our team of 5 entertained 80 pre-school through 6th graders from the El Shaddai elementary school with games and an Easter egg hunt on Friday; cleaned, scrapped & sanded the church sanctuary on Saturday; assisted the youth in 2 AWANA programs in neighboring villages on Sunday; presented “Resurrection Eggs” as a devotion for the school on Monday before beginning our painting, which we finished by the end of the next day! Whew!
Or should I say WOW! Not only could we sense God’s hand on everything we did, but we were keenly aware of your prayers for us as we were away! Thank you for not only helping us to be a blessing for God but also to be extremely blessed as we were doing it.
—Emily Knight, Peggy Parks,
Roland Rice, Don Rossier,
Julia Napper (for LEI)
Youth Tulsa Mission
My time on Tulsa Missions was amazing. When I first showed up, I didn’t know what to expect but, by the end of the week I felt like a pro. Words can’t describe at all the great feeling I got when I was able to help with the wheel chair ramp, or when we went to OASIS, Grace, and the food bank. It was the best. I had the time of my life. When I was able to help someone out or make a new friend it was really neat. I will never forget when we got to go to Grace on the last day. They were doing word searches and I wasn’t doing anything so I decided to go over and help and try to make a new friend. I went over and helped these two ladies named Betsy and Laura. They were taking St. Patrick’s Day pictures and Adam V. and I had only 
been there for maybe ten to fifteen minutes helping out, when Betsy asked to have us in the picture with her. It was really touching to me that for only being there fifteen minutes she was asking for us to be in her picture that would at some point be with her in her room. Before this I didn’t even know her. It was a great experience and to all of those mid-highers and high-schoolers who are scared or don’t want to go on mission trips, let me tell you, if you do you will have a blast. You can change so many lives for the better. I really didn’t want to go that much a first because sort of thought, “Man, there goes a lot of my spring break, but now I wouldn’t have missed it for anything. That was my time on Tulsa missions. —Hayden Anderson
Over the course of Tulsa Missions, we had to be flexible. From sleeping on the floor at First Baptist, to taking community showers, and to the obnoxious wake-up calls, flexibility was a must-have. But when you're a Christian, you already have flexibility. God throws us so many curve balls, there's no way to know what's next. That's how the children at Cara felt, the elderly at Oasis, and the needy at Iron Gate. They didn't know they would have a bunch of rowdy teenagers trying to make them smile and have a good time, but they always enjoyed themselves and felt appreciated. Whether it was two-on-two basketball, a game of ping-pong, a game of Uno, or a bowling match, these many people always had smiles on their faces. The most fulfilling feeling of all is knowing that you made someone else smile and gave them a great day. We may not always remember every detail from Tulsa Missions 2009, but the many people whose lives we've affected will always remember the friendly faces of the Kirk,
Believers, and Harvard Avenue that cared about and appreciated them. The Lord has blessed us in so many ways, and it's absolutely amazing to be given the privilege to share that with others. In the words of Alison Shelby, "Love God. Love others. Serve the world." —Becca Thompson
Verse of the Day
