I’m sitting here on the bus traveling north towards Indiana on Friday night. Our team is comfy in our Vineyard bus, settling in for our long 15-hour drive home. We are quiet, for now, but soon I’m guessing that card games will start, conversations will continue, and some folks will call home, anticipating a soon reunion.

Our final day here in Oklahoma City brought us to a new (to us and to City Center) outreach opportunity at a place called “Second Chances.” It’s technically a thrift store, but ever so much more. We got there and met the founder DeLisa (Mama D to everyone who enters the doors). Mama D is an amazing woman of God who lived a rough life before getting to the place she is now. Her life included being sexually trafficked by a family member as a child and three stints in prison (where, by the way, she earned two college degrees). She was shot and stabbed and left for dead more than once in her life, and so much more, all which gave her a heart for those who experienced the same kinds of difficult things in their lives. Second Chances sells thrift clothes, but also, every single day, feeds anyone who wants a hot meal, provides free clothing to the homeless, and offers a place to sit and chat and be treated as a friend. She also teaches Alpha classes, introducing people to a relationship with Jesus.

Our team got to hear her remarkable story and then help out a little bit. We fixed and served lunches to many people, spent time talking and praying with guests, organized the small food pantry, pulled out piles and piles of clothes and settled them in their spots in the thrift store. It was truly an inspiring time. Mama D greeted EVERYONE with an “I love you” and we truly believed that she did. Our team considered Second Chances as one of the true highlights of the week. 

After stopping at Braum’s for a mission trip ice cream tradition, we headed back to City Center and our speedy team finished lots of little projects, hung out with kids, and some of our team fixed dinner for the kids that were there and our team! We ended our time with Julie and Jed Chappel, sharing highlights of the week and having communion and prayer together. 

As I reflect on this week, there were many amazing moments. There were also many heavy moments that could have been heartbreaking if we didn’t have a God who overcomes. Our team did and saw hard things this week, gave their hearts away, laughed and cried a lot, and connected in such meaningful ways. Many of us learned and put new spiritual practices into place in our lives. 

Mission trips allow us to see God’s heart and the hearts of our fellow travelers. It’s why I love them and why I’m grateful we have a church that encourages us to go. 

See you soon! 

Share