Mexico, here they come!

The Dallas Post // News

May 1, 2008

By REBECCA BRIA rbria@timesleader.com

The teen missionary group at Noxen Bible Baptist Church is ready to spread the word and love of God to others. But doing so comes with a price tag that isn’t easy for a young person to meet.

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Jonathan Wandell holds up two lamps that had just sold at a rummage sale to benefit his church youth group’s trip to Newfoundland.

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Having fun setting up the rummage sale tables were Abby Bachman, Donna, Kelly and Rebecca Smith. The girls’ youth group at the Noxen Bible Baptist Church will use the proceeds to go to Newfoundland this summer on a mission trip.

Charlotte Bartizek photos/ For The Dallas Post

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Nine teenagers ages 15 and up and three adults from the church will travel to Monterrey, Mexico this July on a missionary trip. Each person going must raise about $1000 to pay his or her own way.

So far, the group has collected 30 percent of the money needed for its journey but, with less than four months before the departure date, there’s still a long way to go.

According to Sandy Traver, who is handling finances for the trip, the group held several fundraisers so far to assist with its travel expenses. The students make money by gathering used cell phones, iPods, MP3 players, video game systems, ink cartridges and selling them. A pizza sale raised $740 and a rummage sale on March 8 brought in $413. Everyone planning to make the trip also sent a letter to relatives and friends, asking for their support.

Another ongoing fundraiser is the Hire a Teen program. People who would like help with household work, such as mowing the lawn or raking leaves, may call the church to arrange for a teen to do the work. Teens will complete the task for a donation of any amount. Traver hopes the Hire a Teen fundraiser will take off in early spring.

The teen missionary group went on its first expedition in 2006 to Monterrey and teamed up with a missionary organization called Ormundo Ministries. The group helped set a foundation for a new church, taught a children’s club and played soccer with local residents.

This year, the group is once again partnering with Ormundo Ministries for a trip to Monterrey from July 16 through July 27 via a van owned by Sandy Traver and her husband, Tony. Main expenses include passports, fuel and food.

Trip itinerary includes driving to Knoxville, Tenn. where the group will spend the night at a church. The next day, they will drive to South Dallas, Texas and stay in a motel. On day three, the group will meet up with other missionaries in Mission, Texas and then all will proceed to Monterrey, Mexico.

In Mexico, the missionaries will host Vacation Bible School for children and events for teenagers.

“For me, it’s kind of exciting because I’m 31 years old and I’ve never been on a missionary trip at all,” Traver said. “I teach Sunday School but to actually go to a different area outside of your territory is going to be a challenge.”

Donna Smith, 20, of Sweet Valley, will be attending the trip and leaving the country for the first time. Though Smith is too old to be in the youth group, she got involved when the pastor extended an invitation for young adults and adults to participate in the trip.

“Honestly, at first I was skeptical about the impact we would have in one week,” Smith said. “But lately I’ve been praying about it and God has been reminding me he is powerful enough to use our time and our willingness. Even though we only have a week, we’re taking a powerful message.”

Although it is her first missionary trip and she does not like to travel, Smith is thinking about training with the national missionary group New Tribes Mission. The junior English major at Penn State Wilkes-Barre would do whatever she can to spread the word of God, such as translating the Bible or working with children and teenagers.

“I’ve never been a traveler,” Smith said. “It runs in my family. We just like to stay home. It’s just one of those things I’m willing to sacrifice for God.”

Smith’s twin sister, Kelly, is also making the trip and the two are trying to talk their younger sister, Rebecca, 14, into participating.

The missionaries are also making sure they are spiritually equipped to teach people about the Lord. The teens are undergoing a discipleship program that teaches Bible-based Christian living at their youth group and in Sunday School. Then they participate in a 10 to 12 week program on how to share what the Bible says with others. Two weeks before the group leaves, it will participate in a personal Bible study.

“A lot of that is trying to help the kids mentally and spiritually prepare for the trip,” said Mark Wandel, pastor of Noxen Bible Baptist Church. “It kind of looks at all the different aspects of these different ministries.”