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It's an incredible experience ...

Canvasback works throughout all of Micronesia offering hope to the island people. Hope for sight after years of blindness, hope to be cured from lifelong diseases, even the simple hope of a cured toothache, but most importantly, Canvasback has offered hope in Christ by spreading the love of God in all the work that they do. I’ve heard the Canvasback mission stories ever since I can remember. I’ve read the newsletters, seen the videos, and heard the miracle stories told over and over again and every time, I’m always amazed by how the Lord has allowed Canvasback to help so many people in the Islands. But it’s not only the Island people whose lives are changed. If you’ve ever been on one of the trips you know that it’s also the lives of the volunteers and the missionaries, because when we let ourselves do the work of God, when we see His hand working and realize that we’re lucky enough to be a part of that, we can’t help but be changed as well. That kind of experience is exactly why Canvasback is always excited to send out youth teams to work in the islands and this year was no different.

When our team first arrived on Pohnpei, they found what looked to be an ancient ruin. The structure was actually a 40 year old abandoned building project which over the years the jungle had been trying to reclaim. This was to be the youth team’s main project. The goal was to convert it into a pastor’s office and Sabbath school room by making the building structurally sound, building up the walls, and adding a roof. The first job was to climb up on the walls and cut out the trees and vegetation growing in them. After this was completed, the real work began. Throughout the rest of the trip the team spent their daylight hours pouring concrete, laying block, and getting the roof up. It was hard work in the tropical heat but the youth seemed to enjoy it. One team member said, “I think some of the most rewarding experiences were right at the job site. Yeah it was hot, but a lot of locals came out to help and we got to talk and really get to know each other while trying not to fall off the roof. I mean, if you don’t think that’s fun then there has to be something wrong with you!”

Yes it was hard work but if you’ve ever been out with Canvasback you know we like to work our teams hard. So on top of the building project, we brought youth into the hospital to help the doctors. There they were given the opportunity to watch eye surgeries and assist the dentists. At the end of the day the team came back to the church and put on an evangelistic series. Our youth pastor Brandon Stoltz said, “After a lot of prayer and discussion with Canvasback staff, and because of the positive results I had seen happening with the Adventist youth series "Jesus Loves Jeans," we decided to use their curriculum. But the problem was that teens in the south pacific islands don't often wear jeans, so we switched the illustration to something a little more familiar: flip-flops!” Each night the team led a song service with contemporary Christian music. The local pastor joking told us it that was the first time he’d ever seen his congregation clapping in the church. After the music, one of the youth would give the sermon. Mikayla Caton, a junior in High School, was especially blessed by the sermons. She said, “These were the most touching and incredible sermons I have ever seen. Although I never got the chance to preach, just being in the presence of these sermons were enough to really make me think about my spirituality and others clearly did too.” We ended our series with four commitments to baptism and cards from just about the whole congregation recommitting themselves to Christ.

It’s an incredible experience to work for God, to get to be changed by the things you see and do, and to realize that God is using you in His infinite plan. Our youth team definitely experienced this passion for service. When asked to tell what he had learned from the trip, Rene Longoria replied, “God truly knows what He is doing.  Once we give it all to Him, He will be able to show His glory to us in a way that will amaze us.  Once we live for God and help others and bless others, God will bless us.  He will not just bless you in little ways but in ways that will shock you.  He will overflow your cup with blessings that you will be able to share with those around you.”

"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen." 1 Peter 4:10-11

 

 

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