Campbell Church of Christ in the Bay Area sent a team of eight adults and two youth to FIRM for a weekend mission trip June 7-9.
Friday evening, the group enjoyed traditional Laotian food while learning about Hmong, Lao and Syrian cultures, as well as the diversity of refugee experiences.
Saturday, the group teamed up with some volunteers from FIRM to help bring a playset to a Syrian refugee family. The playset was purchased secondhand on Craigslist, and the mission team first disassembled the playset, loaded it in a truck, and reassembled it in the backyard of a Syrian family in FIRM’s program. While the playset was being reassembled, some members of the mission team also helped with yard cleanup. After the playset was reassembled, the group shared in a traditional Syrian meal of chicken, rice, hummus, tabbouleh, and stuffed grape leaves.
Sunday morning, the group met at University Presbyterian Church for a traditional Laotian breakfast of sticky rice, tomato sauce, stir-fried bamboo and eggs. During breakfast, the group was led in a Bible study around welcoming the foreigner and refugee. The Campbell group then joined in for the Lao worship service before heading home.
While many mission trips might be five or more days, weekend mission trips can also be a great experience. If your group might like to explore a mission trip at FIRM, please start with the information and forms here.