Mission Week Part II ~ Nicole Norris

The saying goes that the days are long, but the years are short. There is no better example of that than our children. One day we are waking in the middle of the night for feedings and fevers, the next day we wake up to graduations and weddings. While most of us can say God has seen fit to give our children good health, that isn’t the case for all parents. For some parents, their children struggle day by day with life limiting illness. Those years will not add up to graduations and weddings like they do for the rest of us. The daily struggle of families with kids who have life limiting illness is exhausting to say the least.

In our daily lives we frequently come across people struggling, and Jesus taught us how and why to respond in Matthew 25:35-40:
"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’"

As Christians, we are called to the service of others. As parents, it is important that we serve each other in Christ. That can look like a simple meal cooked or the offer to carpool. In the case of a family with a sick child, that might be the offer to care for the healthy siblings while mom and dad focus on the health of their sick one.

Five years ago, our family was introduced to a place called Give Kids The World Village (GKTW). You may not have heard of it, but you have surely heard of its partners: Make a Wish, Children’s Wish Network, The Rainbow Connection, and thousands of other non-profit organizations throughout the world that send their wish families to Give Kids The World every day.

Give Kids The World Village is an 84 acre resort located in Kissimmee, Florida. Statistics show almost 80% of Wish Kids ask to go to Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World, NASA and the areas surrounding Central Florida. Most folks are unaware these wish granting organizations simply facilitate the trip. The actual location of the place these families will stay during their trip is GKTW! The resort operates on 1700 volunteer shifts a week…yes, a WEEK! They provide lodging, meals, and activities, so the families can leave the doctors appointments behind and enjoy a carefree vacation. Unfortunately for many of these families, this will be the last chance they get to have a vacation memory with their sick children.

That’s where we come in! In accordance with Matthew 25:35, for one week in May, Waterbrook staff, students, and parents become part of those 1700 volunteer shifts. But we don’t just “feed” and “visit," we also carry the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In our daily interactions with families, while we feed and care for them, we have countless opportunities to share why we are there and who we are there for. You see, we are there for them, but we are also there for Him. Because when we do it for the least of these, we do it for Him, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

We’ve just completed our fourth year (I can hardly believe it has been that long already) taking teams of Waterbrook families to serve GKTW……my oh my, the days are long and the years short indeed! We have met people from all over the world! We have shared with countless families over the years about the love of Jesus. People from South Africa, Japan, England, and even Flint, MI! Yes, sometimes we are blessed to cross paths with our own neighbors from home.

The administration and board of Waterbrook are passionate about missions. That’s why every year we dedicate a week to service and taking the Gospel to the world. Some local, some to GKTW. Students in the 9th-12th grades are eligible to apply for the GKTW trip. Students must be accompanied by a parent or guardian (over the age of 21). Students 18 and over are welcome to attend independently, but we do encourage families to serve together side by side. It’s not just for the students!

If you feel your student has a heart for short term domestic missions and demonstrates the maturity needed for such a trip, information meetings will be held this Fall once school resumes. If you think you will need fund raising opportunities, please contact our missions fund raising director, Mrs. Ball for more information. We look forward to seeing you in service during Missions Week 2020!

In Christ,
Bill and Nicole Norris

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