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God Uses Two Sisters and a Mission Trip to Change Lives

The decision to join a mission team

It all started with two sisters who chose to go on a mission trip to Nicaragua. Val spontaneously joined her sister Donna at a trip team meeting, and decided during the meeting that she too wanted to serve with the team.    

A Humbling Experience

During the trip, Val found herself with the opportunity to visit the home of a little girl living in Managua, Nicaragua. Immediately she longed to do something to improve this family’s living situation, as she was humbled and shocked to see the poverty. The team leader, Kay, and other staff told Val the best thing she could do was to point the girl’s family to the church in order to receive the help they needed.

At the end of the trip, Donna and Val began reflecting on this question that was asked of each team member:

“What do you do with this experience? You can do nothing; you can come back here; or you can serve back at home. What is God asking you to do?” 

Looking back, Donna shares, “I was expecting to be uncomfortable, physically and emotionally and to have a life changing experience. My expectations were met on both. I never worked so hard or felt so hot, and I never realized how amazing a cold shower would feel after a day of true physical labor. I didn’t realize how guilty I would feel for complaining about trivial things, like when my house was a mess, or we ran out of bottled water. At least I had a roof over my head and water was free and clean.” She continues,

“The trip put my entire existence into perspective. God opened my eyes and I was humbled because I realized that even though the people I met in Nicaragua were poor in a way that I had never seen, they were so happy with whatever they did have. I realized that maybe we don’t need all of the ‘stuff’ and that relationships we acquire mean more than the stuff we acquire.”

Donna reflected on what God had done in her life, and said, “This trip set my heart on fire for God and serving others. God taught me that service fills up your heart in a way that nothing else can and the passion to serve continues to grow and grow and brings you closer and closer to him.”

God’s Surprise Adventure for Donna and Val

When Donna and Val returned home, they began to help at a local food pantry serving the poor in their community, but soon felt God calling them to something more. Shortly after returning home from Nicaragua, God led Donna and Val to embark on the adventure of starting a nonprofit ministry called “People Loving People”. The primary focus is a large food pantry where they serve 150 families in need with food, love and kindness. Food donations are constantly collected and they are at the point where they have outgrown several community centers.

Kay, the team leader, reflects on what God has accomplished in and through the lives of Donna and Val, and shares, “Their story needs to be told. It has a profound impact on team members wanting to serve.” She continues,

“It’s not just about answering God’s call to go; but in bringing it full circle and asking God what He wants team members to do once they return home, and how to serve their community on an ongoing basis.”

When asked what advise Donna would give to future team members, she shares, “I think team members need to be open to anything. To doing whatever is asked of them, even if they think, that’s not what they are good at. Every task is equally important and when the trip is over and their heart is full. Continue to pursue that feeling by doing for others in any way they can and getting involved in local service work or just helping others.” She ends by reminding those who have been on a mission trip with this humbling statement,

“Don’t forget the way you felt those nights when you laid your head on the pillow during the trip; you should feel the same feeling every day of your life.”

If you’d like to know more about serving on a mission trip with Forward Edge, click here or contact our Senior Mobilization Officer, Sheri Stanley, at 360-558-5896 or sheristanley@forwardedge.org.

To learn more about how God is working through Donna and Val and the nonprofit “People Loving People”, visit their website or facebook page.

Picture of Melanie Kruse
Melanie Kruse
Melanie has always had a heart for making a difference in the lives of others, especially those facing difficult circumstances. Deeply influenced by the love of Jesus, she longs for others to discover the same hope that has shaped her own life. She and her family sponsor three children and have been blessed with the opportunity to travel and spend meaningful time with them. Known for her love of organization and attention to detail, Melanie thrives in roles where she can use these strengths to serve others. At Forward Edge, she is grateful for the chance to combine her skills with her passion for ministry, saying, “I love that I can use my gifts to make an eternal difference in the lives of people around the world.”
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Transform a Child's Life Through Sponsorship

Hola (hello), my name is Fermin Abimael

  • location

    Mexico

  • 11 yrs. old

    01-27-2015

Entered the Program: July 2021

Fermin lives with his parents and 4 siblings in a house they inherited from his grandfather. His parents try and make a living by selling various goods at market, and his father also works in construction to provide for their large family, which is challenging. Fermin's mother had an accident which required many surgeries and makes it difficult to work.  

Fermin's siblings, Itzel, Virginia, and Luis are also in the Trigo y Miel program.

Sponsorship Level What's this?

Three $38 sponsorships are needed to cover the complete holistic care of one child. Cover one, two, or three sponsorships.