Like most of the world I was shocked and deeply moved by the devastation caused by the tsunami in Asia. In an instant families were torn apart. Precious lives were swallowed up by the sea. This disaster demonstrates how fragile life is. No one is promised tomorrow. The power of this wave reminds me of a different type of wave – a wave of young people taking the gospel to the ends of the earth.
   Last summer approximately 300 high school and middle school students participated in short-term mission trips with Global Outreaches Unlimited (GOU). Another 33 college-aged students came on as staff. Students ministered in Tijuana, Mexico; Chetumal, Mexico; and the heart of New York City. Hundreds of people accepted Christ and thousands more were ministered to. Below are testimonies from students, youth pastors, and staff that caught a glimpse of the wave rising within Open Bible.

What is it about the epic movie, The Lord of the Rings, we love so much? Aside from its thrilling special effects and story line jam-packed with symbolism, the trilogy brings us close to a team of many unique characters. In fact it’s hard to know who the most important character is. We have come to love them all and see their distinctive purposes. The first movie of the trilogy, “The Fellowship of the Ring,” begins with a small group of people from diverse places whose common goal becomes the fight against evil. The story of life operates in the same way. It is an epic so great none of us can go at it alone.

That is what I saw in real-life adventures with GOU. People from various backgrounds came together with one goal, working together, unable to distinguish who the greatest of us was. Everyone was great because everyone served each other with whatever strength was left after the long, hot days in Mexico. Each had his or her distinctive role to play.

It’s important to know who’s in the ‘fellowship’ of Open Bible and to work together with them. We can learn from one another, encourage each other, grow together, and accomplish much together. We cannot do it alone.

– Kevin St Claire, Senior,
Eugene Bible College, GOU staff

I have wanted to be a missionary since I was 11 years old. GOU provided a way for me to gain practical experience, to improve my leadership skills. During my first two years with GOU I had the opportunity to learn building skills, work in an orphanage, teach children about Jesus, and share God’s love with people in Mexico and inner-city Chicago. This increased my passion for the lost and made me seek more opportunities to help people, even in my hometown.

During this past summer I was able to participate as staff. I loved it. I helped plan, prepare, and share in the outreaches. I was able to bond with students and help them experience the joy of sharing Jesus with someone from a different culture. It is rewarding to help others develop their own passion for the lost.

I highly recommend GOU for people who have never been involved in missions and want to discover what it is about and for those who want to go deeper in their faith and share what they have learned with others. Let’s take the gospel to the ends of the earth!

– Danielle Lemon, YWAM,
New Zealand, GOU staff

Only one of our group of 13 had been on a mission trip before – me. At the end of the first day in Tijuana, every one of my students came to me and asked if we could go on another trip next year. Something had changed them in such a short time.

One life-changing experience was seeing the poverty and living conditions of many Mexican families. We began to show compassion to those in need. When visiting an orphanage our students played with and held the children – a side of some of our students we had not seen before.

The second life-changing lesson was that of servant leadership. My students were changed by being around the GOU staff because of their positive, encouraging attitudes and their dedication to long hours of hard work. We will definitely participate in future trips.

– Rev. Tim Owen, Youth Pastor, San Jose Open Bible Church, San Jose, California

Incredible friendships, changed lives, and spiritual growth....Those were some of the rewards of a summer spent with GOU. As I visited orphanages, participated in vacation Bible schools, and assisted in church services throughout Mexican neighborhoods, I witnessed God touch the lives of both the volunteers and the local families. Receiving crayons, coloring books, bubbles, and soccer balls brought overwhelming joy to the children. Experiencing how joyful the families were with so little taught me what it meant to have the ‘joy of the Lord’ as my strength.

Also, as children and their parents participated in VBS and watched the street dramas, many realized God cares for them personally. Lives were changed, hope renewed. I came home with a new sense of purpose and contentment in my spirit.

Sarah Riggs, Sophomore, University of Colorado, GOU staff

In Tijuana, our group of 13 was assigned to play with the children. Being an only child, I felt slightly ecstatic, yet partially unable to relate to the children. At the time I knew about 15 words in Spanish. But all factors considered, I had the best time of my life. Those kids knew how to have fun with nothing. Their mood was enlightening. Being able to love on them was the best thing I could ever do for them. I learned more in an hour of games than I could have in a lifetime of conversation. We were there to change the people of Tijuana. In the process, they changed us. I forced myself to put ‘me’ behind and concentrate on the kids, and it paid off.

– Timothy Harber, High School Freshman, Austin, Minnesota

Hundreds of youth sacrificed their summer freedom traveling to places such as Mexico, Argentina, Africa, and New York City. What would cause a twenty-first century teen to choose long hours serving the needy under the grueling sun instead of relaxing in resort pools? It’s what Jesus commanded nearly 2000 years ago: ‘Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations.’

The act of ‘going’ and experiencing firsthand the helpless state of this world does something inexplicable in the heart. GOU brings youth face to face with the hurting and the broken. Teens work with orphans, AIDS patients, poverty-stricken mothers, and others.

As a 15-year-old boy I determined it was time to travel to Mexico. I knew from friends’ stories that those who did missions work generally returned to America with a greater sense of gratefulness for the blessings in their lives. I was in no way prepared for what I actually discovered. Three summers ago in Tijuana, Mexico, God uncovered the eyes of my heart.
I saw hurting people aching for love, wanting someone to look beyond their smelly clothes and dirty faces, to see them as human beings. I got to tell them of a loving God who died for them. God took my heart and sowed into it seeds of love, compassion, and mercy. I have never looked at people in the same light. People matter, and I can make a difference in their lives. I can be Jesus to them.

Global Outreaches Unlimited is neither a fun getaway, nor a place to fill in your time with God. It’s a hospital, where I and others have received heart transplants. On my first trip I gave up my feeble human heart. Three trips later in its place begins to rest the heart of God

.– Andrew Farmer, Freshman, Eugene Bible College, GOU staff

I went with GOU to New York City. Each day was filled with outreaches throughout the city. I thought about how sad it was that the United States is one of the only countries where Christianity is not growing. The Lord gave me 2 Samuel 10:12: ‘Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of God. The Lord will do what is good in his sight.’ All I could do was to be faithful to plant seeds. God would do the rest.

One evening on the Staten Island ferry my ministry team sat next to a Swedish woman in her mid twenties. We shared the gospel with her. She didn’t accept Christ but by the end of the conversation we had convinced her to go to church. We had done our part. God would do the rest.

– Natalia Johnson, High School Senior, Stevenson, Washington

Our trip to Tijuana was the first foreign missions trip for almost all our students.They were shocked at the poverty, conditions, etc. After the shock wore off, students realized the impoverished people of this culture were more joyful than many affluent Americans. It did not take long for students to begin questioning values they did not even know they had.

Their perspective on their own day-to-day world changed. They take interest when missions are discussed. They pursue wealth less and are more generous to the poor. Now the most common question they ask is, ‘When are we going on another missions trip?’

– Rev. Bart Bentley, Youth Pastor, First Church of the Open Bible, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Our group’s job was to love on the kids and tell them about Jesus. I am not very good with children, let alone children I cannot communicate with. But God broke down my pride and fear of appearing silly. Allowing God to work on me opened up ways for God to work through me. Stepping out of my comfort zone was much more fulfilling than remaining stagnant. Bringing joy and God’s love is what living is really about.

– Jane Moldenhauer, Sophomore, College of Visual Arts, St. Paul, Minnesota

With all of the stories I’ve heard, books I’ve read, and classes I have taken about missions, there is still nothing that compares with pulling on the boots, strapping on the backpack, and actually going on a mission trip.

Following the recent tsunami in Southeast Asia, my first thought was that I wanted to go over there. There’s something about simply being in another culture, eating their food, and sharing their lives (and pain) that makes my heart beat just a little bit faster. In helping lead five GOU trips, I’ve been given the opportunity to experience people from other cultures and build relationships with them. As I go back and see those same people, a stronger bond is built.

I help train youth groups and their leaders for vacation Bible school. I tell them it’s important to do their best. But the most important thing they can do is just to be with the nationals and interact with them. Being there and showing you care means more than any program or sermon you could preach. With GOU we’ve built lasting relationships. There are Latino churches in Chicago and churches in Chetumal, Mexico, who now feel closer to Open Bible because Open Bible youth learned the importance of people and building relationships with them.

– Jordan Bemis, Junior, Eugene Bible College, GOU staff

Fifty youth from five churches in Eastern Region made their way to Tijuana, Mexico, to be a part of GOU. From our base at Puente de Amistad we canvassed the city, ministered through VBS and drama, and visited an orphanage on several occasions. Calvary Open Bible in Dayton, Ohio, raised $2,500. Along with $1,000 from Global Outreach offerings, we built a two-story house for a needy family. GOU allowed our youth pastors to be with their youth to minister, not having to sweat every detail.

One leader said, ‘This was the best thing I ever did as a youth pastor for our teens.’ Trips like this have sparked increasing interest in our region to take our young people on missions trips, to see the eternal impact it will have on those in need and on us.

– Pete Freeman, Eastern Region Youth Director

GOU would like to recognize Eugene Bible College and President David Cole, Dr. Paul Leavenworth, Executive Director of Church Ministries, Des Moines Master’s Commission and Director Jonathan Lumbard, the congregation of Faith Tabernacle in Stevenson, Washington, pastored by Brett and Teressa Johnson, regional youth directors, youth pastors, and youth who gave to Global Outreach for their partnership in 2004.