Serving Tree likes Don C. Richter's idea about mission trips as a "contemporary form of a pilgrimage where life-defining change can occur in liminal and threshold time and space." His words remind us that such time apart, in service for and with others, offers fertile ground for growth and transformation. It's why mission trips are experiences, where what's offered and received, can encourage new perspectives, deepen commitments of service back home,

and til the soil of where we are, helping us listen for God's on-going call upon our lives. It's why Serving Tree loves facilitating such a trip. It's grace laden time where participants may share their own stories and hear stories different from their own. With this, the required pre-trip reading, journal reflections, and evening gatherings, offers time for conversation around, "What's the Best Way to Serve and Give?"; deeper connection with those around us; identifying ways, "How Best to Serve Back Home"; and share in gracious time to laugh, work hard, rest, and renew. All of this is one way Serving Tree loves to support and encourage such a "transforming pilgrimage."

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Serving Tree's 2023 Trip
In February of 2023, 13 generous souls set out on such a "mission trip pilgrimage" with

Serving Tree. Partnering with

The Appalachian Service Project, the team traveled to Unicoi, Tennessee to work with families who welcomed renovations and repairs which provided safer, warmer, and better access to their homes. The team also partnered with RISE UP, by collecting school supplies and offering an afternoon of recreation and arts and crafts. RISE UP is a youth organization, serving the under resourced children and youth in inner city Johnson City, Tennessee. The team worked hard, shared living space, prepared their meals, enjoyed gracious fellowship, worshiped together, and shared in evening reflection. New friends were made, great food was provided and shared with others beyond the team, new skills were acquired, laughter was a plenty, and a group of  "pilgrims" returned home having made a difference for good, in each other's lives, and in the lives of those they served and received blessing from. They equally took this experience back home to enhance the many ways they're serving in their local communities. Serving Tree remains grateful for their servant hearts and gracious generosity.

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Serving Tree's next Mission Trip is planned for July 21-28, 2024 to Red Bird Mission in

Beverly, Kentucky.

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If you'd like to know more about this trip, please contact Leslee Wray, Serving Tree's founder at: 704-984-0066 She'd love to talk with you.

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Please enjoy some pictures from 2023's trip.