Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Marshall

 

501 Indian Springs Road (75672)

P.O. Box 1303

Marshall, Texas 75671

 

903-935-3787

 

cpcmtx@marshalltx.com

www.cumberlandofmarshall.org

 

Dear Mission Trip Participants,

 

           I hope you are getting excited about our departure.   We are going to be building two casitas (little houses) with lofts, help build a park near the mission, and get to know the families while we are there.  There will be youth and adults from Houston, Marshall, Concord, Alabaster, AL., San Antonio and Pleasant Hill (Progress church), LA.   Pray that God will mold us into an effective team ready to serve him all out for this week.

 

           Place your picture ID, copy of insurance card (front and back) and copy of birth certificate in a large Ziploc bag and bring it as you step on the vans.  We will not be able to let you go if we do not have this.  I have included a covenant to remind us why we are going to serve.   I intentionally held this out until last to keep it fresh on our minds.   If you would like to bring a house warming gift or gifts on the included list, please give me a call and tell me which one or ones, so we do not duplicate too much.   

 

           Also, remember the Commissioning this Sunday morning in local churches, May 27, during worship.   We will join with the congregation in prayer and be set apart for this special mission for God.   Please be here if at all possible.   We will be commissioned in San Antonio as a total group on Sunday morning, June 3.       

 

           I have gotten some clarification on the dress code.   We may wear shorts that are long (to the knees) and not tight fitting.   Of course, jeans are encouraged to prevent scrapes and cuts on the blocks.   Steel toed boots or regular boots would be encouraged.   Also, all will wear t-shirts (no tube tops, bikini tops, halter tops, guys without shirts or tank tops for working (boys and girls alike).   Bring work gloves and a trowel for the mortar.   Hats and sunscreen are a must.     In addition, bring clothes for 6 days, and lounging clothes for 6 evenings.   We will worship on Sunday at the Stone Oak church in San Antonio.  Bring appropriate clothes for you to feel comfortable in worship.   Pack your traveling and church clothes with toiletries and shoes in a smaller bag, and work and lounging clothes in the bigger bag if you are arriving Saturday, which most of us are.  This way we will not have to unload those suitcases again.  We will stay in church member homes on Saturday night.  The rooming lists and To Bring Lists are on the Marshall Website on the “Mission Trip 2007” link.   If you have questions, please ask the adult leader in your church and if they do not know they can call me.    There is still some flexibility, but maybe not in all cases.   

 

           Let me say a word about going to bed and getting up early.  Most of us do not get up at 5:15 a.m. each morning or go to bed by 11:00 p.m. during the summer.   Some of us are morning people and some of us are evening people.   The early morning hour is to get us there as early as possible to avoid the heat of the day.  The evening hour bed time is to prepare for the hard work and early morning that will be coming too soon.  Thus, you will have an 18 hour day of work and activities.  We all function better on adequate rest.  Most of us do not do outdoor labor all day long.  So, get your rest when we say, and get up when we say.  Multiple reminders are disrespectful to leaders who know how much we need to get going each day.   It will take all the strength we have to do God’s work this week.   Being on time all week will show respect for the other participants. 

 

           I will remind you again, but just for emphasis I include this here.  Border crossings are not time for cutting up, being funny or using words that will scare the border guards, like “bomb” or “drugs.”   Your attitude will need to be attentive, respectful and focused or we will all be delayed.  The border guards do not play around, because they have an important and sometimes dangerous job to do.   Answer any questions they ask you with a strait face and sincerity.

 

           I am excited that all 49 of you have committed your time for this important venture.  We will be sharing God’s love in a very tangible way, meeting needs where people live (literally.)   We hope you are excited, too.   Work around your home and get used to some hard work in the heat.   Get in shape.   Show appreciation to your parents and church for helping you have this experience.    The Marshall Group will pack at 9:00 a.m. and depart at 10:00.   The Marshall group will return late on Friday night.  The Mission will be first priority.  Weather, supplies, or other delays could slow us down, so patience will be needed.  

 

           We will open and close the trip with prayer.   Families are invited to join us for this prayer.  May God bless us in this effort.   See you Sunday at the Marshall commissioning!   And then, we will serve and clean-up during the meal and thank the Hospitality Committee for their gracious help.    If you have a talent you would like to present during the lunch time, please let Pastor Rusty know.    This should add to the fun of the meal.    Please check the website this week for more details.

 

Yours in Christ,

 

Pastor Rusty