I’m thankful your young people had this opportunity, and that God used it to open their eyes to the physical and spiritual needs of the world. They had probably never seen how people in less developed countries live, and I doubt if any of them will ever be the same.

Nor would you be the same if you’d seen what they saw, and met the people they met. You mention in your letter that they were working with a small church in that country, teaching the Bible to local children and helping put a roof on the church. That may not seem like much to you, but I can assure you it greatly encouraged them. The Bible says, “Do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased” (Hebrews 13:16).

You mentioned also that the youth were impressed by the faith of the people they visited, in spite of their hard lives. Why is their faith so strong? The reason is because it is centered on Jesus Christ, who came down from heaven to save us from our sins and give us hope for the future. May He be the center of your life, as well.

Be thankful for the vision God has given to these young people — not just those who hope to become missionaries, but all who were on this trip. Yes, missionaries are still needed, perhaps more than ever. Jesus’ words are still true: “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field” (Matthew 9:37-38).

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