By Robbie Spiers, Kilmarnock Baptist Church

We decided to take our youth group to Mission Madness this year, and boy I am glad we did. We are a small church in the rural county of Lancaster in the eastern Northern Neck (Kilmarnock Baptist Church). We have a growing, thriving congregation where the Lord is definitely working, and we just started a youth group, which is steadily growing. We have an all-volunteer youth leadership team that is being blessed every day.

I’ve been involved with some type of missions my entire life, but this was a new thing for our kids. They didn’t know what to expect, and quite frankly many didn’t go because they didn’t know what they were going too. We took 4 of our regular Sunday School attendees whom I teach. These four kids are growing in their walk with God, and were open to a “Christian” experience.

Getting over the fact that we were the smallest group there, and probably came the farthest was a bit overwhelming for the kids at first, but they had each other, and met other youth who were a part of their mission team on Saturday. Despite the hesitations, they were READY to charade ‘lipstick’ on the stage at the first night’s worship, and what a great job they did.

I want to congratulate the CBFVA staff and crew for a “flawless” weekend. All the planning, logistical considerations, and leadership were very evident. It was stated that they had been planning for 11 months. Let me say, it really showed. The check-in process was easy, the worships were well thought out, meaningful, and full of energy, and the mission opportunity was a life changing experience for both my kids and me.

Here are some personal reflections from the three worship services. I found the music to be very well done: the band played tastefully and quite skillfully. I have made notes and am going to get many of the songs we sang for our praise band at KBC whom I lead. Being a High School Band Director, I was very “in tune” with the music, and found it to be well done. The pastor/speaker was wonderful. She clearly put a lot of thought and planning into her messages. She had a natural ability to relate with the kids, and had a God given bubbly personality that made being around her a joy. The creativity she used to make worship not only enjoyable but more meaningful was fantastic.

Concerning the Mission opportunity, I can say first hand that I was blessed. We attended the Chancellor’s Village Senior Community, and met many wonderful residents. We worked with the residents in planting an herb garden that they would take back to their room. This opened up the opportunity for dialogue. It was a joy to see the beauty in two ladies that I had the pleasure to just sit down and talk with. One was mentioned in worship, Mrs. Mildred Powell, a 95-year-old gem of a woman. She spent almost an hour just sitting and chatting with me. She spoke of her love for God, and of being a Christian her entire life, working in many churches with WMU and other programs. She is currently a member of Fredericksburg Baptist Church, which was the home base for our Mission Madness. She spoke of the many inventions she has seen in her lifetime, as well as her family of 13 kids, of which only 3 are left. She shared her love of poetry and even went back to her room to retrieve 3 or 4 poems to share with us. She was a delight to sit and talk with, and I hope I was able to share the same beauty with her that she shared with me.

Our second stop on the Mission Saturday was at the Rappahannock River clean up with the “Friends of the Rappahannock”. We spent several hours beautifying the banks and paths along the river, but the one thing I will remember the most is my visit with a man fishing with his son. He seemed very eager to talk with me, and I actually couldn’t get away from him to go with my group down the path. I was happy to stand there and show the love of God by listening and talking with him about life.

He told me of his life there in Fredericksburg, and how he wanted to do more with his son. He spoke of his appreciation to me for the work that was being done, and how much he admired the unselfish dedication that the kids and adults were showing. I felt that he FINALLY had someone who would just stand and listen, and it seemed as though he didn’t want to let me go. I never got his name, but will remember him in my prayers and I’m hoping our example, our prayers, and my willingness to show him “Beauty” will change his life forever.

I saw the beautiful people around me that day. It wasn’t the work that mattered the most to me but the relationships that were created by showing God’s love. I looked at them differently than I normally would. You see, we were challenged to see Beauty in all faces that we came in contact with. We were also challenged to be beautiful people, as we meet and work with others. I indeed remember these beautiful people that I was able to show God’s Beautiful love to.

Coming home, my 14-year-old son told me, “I loved the mission part the best. It was fun to go out and help people. “ I think he is a changed young man as well, and I can’t wait to get back next year to Mission Madness, and in the meantime, do our own Mission Madness here in Lancaster County. Thanks CBFVA for a job well done, and Thank You to our God who made every detail possible in this anointed weekend.

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