Building houses and Kingdom values

In early March last year I found myself crying out to God in panic. I had signed a contract to charter a bus for our spring mission trip, promising to pay $4,700. I had followed God’s will—I thought, but now I was having my doubts. It was only two weeks before our trip, and we still had 18 vacancies worth $3,600. I was responsible for the final bill.

We were heading to Minden, Louisiana, to work with Habitat for Humanity. There had already been a lot of planning and publicity by the Champaign and Urbana chapters at the University of Illinois. The leadership team had worked hard to design a brochure, plan Bible studies and actively recruit students to go. But with 18 spots left to fill in two weeks, a crisis loomed. We prayed earnestly and urgently, and sent out SOS pleas for prayer to others.

God came through, and on March 20, forty-seven of us boarded the bus to Minden, Louisiana! Not only was our financial need met but, more importantly, the lives of students were changed for all eternity. The Habitat trip achieved so many of our core values with InterVarsity.

• Compassion for the Poor. Students grew in their love and compassion for the poor as they worked “hands on” with the future home owners and other local people in this rural Louisiana location. Right next door to the house we were building was a run-down old house with no running water. This was an eye-opening experience for many students.

• Community. Students grew in community. So many people said at the campfire on the last night, “When I got on the bus I knew one or two people, and now I feel like all you guys are all totally my friends!” Back on campus they continue to share meals together, and send out group e-mails. The trip has been a life-giving transfusion for the fellowships back on campus.

• Evangelism. At least five non-Christians went on the trip. One non-Christian guy asked at the beginning of the trip if he had to go to the Bible studies we had planned. I said, “We will not force you to do anything you do not want to do, but please go once as an observer and then make your decision.” He had perfect attendance at every Bible study.

• Racial Reconciliation. Because of the great amount of interaction we had with African American Habitat homeowners, natural and loving relationships were built across racial barriers. The children especially worked their way into all of our hearts. On our trip were U of I students from China, Korea, and second-generation Indian students.

• Leadership Development. Two of the students on the leadership team were freshmen and two were sophomores. In addition to shouldering parts of leadership on the trip, all were Bible study leaders as well. It was heartening to watch them grow in confidence and competence as they prepared and led.

• Bible Study. During the week the students had Bible studies that were rich times of spiritual feeding. They experienced the joy of group interaction with God’s word.

“Taste and see that the Lord is good!” is perhaps the theme verse for our trip. As we immersed ourselves in each new experience, we learned more about the Lord’s goodness. Our partnership with Habitat for Humanity not only provided affordable housing to those in need, but helped advance God’s kingdom values through students on campus.

—Mindy Meier is on staff with Greek Ministries at the University of Illinois. She has led eight Habitat trips with the Greek chapter, but this is the first one with the undergrad chapters. Her son, Rob, was one of the student leaders on the trip.