SHORT-TERM MISSIONS &
DISASTER RESPONSE

by Tristan Joy, Covenant OPC, Barre, VT

[Tristan was a member of the team from the Presbytery of New York and New England that led the English for Kids Bible Camp in St-Georges, Quebec, July 3-7, 2017.]

I think this year topped any other year that I have been on this trip. Seeing old friends, meeting new ones, working with the kids in my class for eight hours a day, and serving our Lord and Savior. What a wonderful trip to St-Georges, Quebec, to serve our king.

This year's theme was the life of Joseph. Our top bible verse was Romans 8:28. We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him. Every day at camp when I heard that verse it would stay in my head all day and night. I knew that God was working in the kids in my class that week and helping them to know his word. I remember listening to my friend Jordan Francoeur teaching the class about how God works in our lives and protects us from any kind of evil in the world. I think I even learned a few things from him, too. This year, I was Jordan's second class assistant along with a friend from my church, Madison Zimmerman, who was his first assistant. God helped us out during the week to get our things in the classroom organized.

This was my third year at "English for Kids," and I am planning to come back next year to serve again. I feel like I have been blessed by the Lord our God to be able to return for my third year since 2015. I am so thankful that my pastors' wife, Olivia Durham, has been the coordinator of the trip since 2008 and has been the one to drive us up there every summer on the first Saturday of July. God gives us the desire to share his word even though sometimes we forget about it because of our sinful nature. I'm so glad we have a God that loves his people. Without him, we would be nothing. For God so loved the world that he sent his only begotten son and whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

All in all, another great year of "English for Kids."

PHOTO: Tristan (far right) with his class at English for Kids

Visit www.opcstm.org for more photos and testimonials from those who have served as short-term missionaries in the OPC!