Jewell students spend spring break putting faith in action

Two groups of William Jewell College students seized the opportunity to live their faith during the school’s recent weeklong spring break.

In partnership with the Liberty Manor Baptist Church, one group of 21 students traveled to Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, to participate in evangelism, construction work and various outreach opportunities. A second group of 23 students headed by director of campus ministries Peter Inzerillo boarded an Amtrak train in Kansas City and headed east to work with youth groups at Madison Baptist Church in Madison, N.J., and at New York’s Covenant House Ministries.

“God really worked with the team in great ways this year,” said Sarah Ebbert, a sophomore communication and business administration major from New Bloomfield, Mo., who was a part of the “Mission Mexico ’04” team. “I really have gotten the call to missions. God really spoke loudly and revealed my passions in His work during this trip. It was one of the highlights of my Jewell experience.”

The Mexico team conducted vacation bible school for about 150 children in Nuevo Laredo, in addition to painting an elementary school and visiting a juvenile detention center and a geriatric center.

“The best part of the trip for me was getting to interact with the people of Nuevo Laredo, especially the children,” said Ginger Davis, a sophomore art major from Fulton, Mo. “Even the little things we were doing were making a difference in their lives.”

At the end of the week, members of the Mexico team organized a block party for the children.

“It was very hard to say goodbye to the kids,” Davis said. “They rushed up to all of us, whether we had played with them or not, and gave us hugs and kisses on the cheek. When we loaded the bus, the kids were tapping the outside of the bus shouting ‘Adios, Amigos!’ and waving.”

Following a cross-country train trip, the other spring break missions group shuttled between painting and repair work at Madison Baptist Church and assisting at six different work sites all over New York City for Covenant House Ministries. Activities included job skills training, working in a crisis center and conducting tutoring in computer skills.

“I loved the way I was used as God’s instrument to serve others with the gifts He has given to me,” said Abby Moss, a sophomore nursing student from Springfield, Mo., who was a part of the New York/New Jersey team. “It was amazing to see His hand in every aspect of the trip and how His will, and not mine, was perfectly worked out.”

Chris Knutter, a freshman physics major from Lawson, Mo., agreed that the opportunity for service was a fulfilling one. “It was a great experience to go and help somebody that I’ll probably never see again,” Knutter said. “I know that when the people of Madison Baptist Church walked in the door that Sunday, they saw all the work we did and will remember us everytime they see it.”

For many participants, the time away from studies and campus activities provided a valuable lesson in the power of teamwork, as well as an important sense of perspective.

“I learned to not underestimate the potential of myself and my team, and to expect more than what I can imagine,” Davis said. “God continually teaches me that He is bigger than any situation.”