Many North Greenville University students traveled to unfamiliar places on three separate mission trips over Christmas break.
Out of the 42 people who journeyed to India with Crossroads Worldwide (a non-profit Christian organization), six were NGU students. They visited several orphanages to deliver the hope of Christ and gifts to children, but spent the majority of the two-week mission trip at an orphanage in Nagpur, India. The orphans in Nagpur were presented with shoes, clothes, games, toys, and, most importantly, love.
“It has given me a different worldview,” said Amy Hill of Glen Hope Baptist Church in Burlington, N.C. “Being in America, you don’t realize what you have until you go somewhere without those resources.”
“Seeing the people’s faith, they hardly had anything and they had to walk away from everything they knew because they were Christians,” said Kelly Gaines of Rocky Creek Baptist Church, Simpsonville. “It was amazing to see how strong they were, even the little ones. They were so happy and joyful.”
Besides bringing gifts for the children, the workers were able to fix a hot water heater and help with everyday challenges, such as watching over 29 children and raising money to help with expanding the orphanage.
“The missionaries challenged us each to raise $1,000 to help build a building. They are renting six buildings right now and are building another to be their church and orphanage,” said Gaines. “That way, they can focus more money on other needs.”
“We were able to carry their vision back to America and help them get established,” said Nikki Clifton of Glen Hope Baptist Church, McLeansville, N.C.
On a totally different continent, 11 NGU students formed a mission team preaching about purity and Christ’s love in Uganda, a country whose children have been ravaged by war.
“We led small groups and had about 10 people in each one,” said Logan McKenzie of Roberdel Baptist Church, Rockingham, N.C. “We talked about purity and God’s will, quiet time and witnessing. There were 10 decisions for Christ.”
“I learned a lot from the culture, which was completely different. The people were very kind and had tons of questions about the Bible, salvation and purity,” said Tarah Lampher of Fort Myers, Fla.
The team of five who traveled to Southern China spent their time reaching out to new university students.
“The students enjoyed meeting with and talking to the Americans because many of them had never seen a foreigner before. We got to build relationships with them and then were able to share about Christ after we build relationships. Some of them told us that they were Christians but they have to keep that undercover,” said Lucy Cayman, assistant director of BCM at NGU.
“A lot of students left their heart over there, and I think we are going to plan a trip in the next year or so to go back and visit them and do more ministry,” said Cayman.
“I saw the truth while I was there, that the harvest really is plentiful and the workers are few. I believe that God is there working, but he is also waiting for his people to join him there,” said Clifton.