By Mariko Terada (9/7/2008)

Before I start sharing my experiences in New Orleans, I have two verses I would like to share. The first one is in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4.

 (3)Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, (4)who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

The second one is 2 Corinthians 9:7.

(7)Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

During the 10-day mission trip, I read 2 Corinthians, and these two verses struck out to me the most. The first verse talks about how great God is. It says that He can comfort us in ALL our troubles. But it doesn’t stop there. One of our duties as God’s children is to comfort and give to others from what we have received from God.

And then, the second verse I shared comes in. How should we give to others? “Not reluctantly or under compulsion,” because God loves a cheerful giver.

Although I had these three verses with me throughout the trip, I remember catching myself many times for not being the “cheerful” gift God wanted me to be.

When I came back from New Orleans, I remember Samson asking me, “What is the ONE thing you learned about yourself in New Orleans?” I did not know the answer right away, but as summer went by, I started to realize how much God was strongly telling me, “Mariko, I give you so much comfort. So don’t just sit around and be happy. Comfort those in need with a cheerful heart!” And this reminded me of a verse in the Book of James where it talks about “faith” and “good deeds.”

This summer, I made a promise to God that I will strive to have a cheerful heart to serve others, even in the smallest things. I want to be a person who can do small things with great love. This was my first mission trip, and there are just too many things to share. I know that I will be able to remember and use what I have experienced for the future of God’s kingdom. I am really excited to where God will lead me next.

*  Samson led the Mission team (Jessica, Josephine, Mariko, Tom, Jack and Samson) to New Orleans, Louisiana on 7/14 for 10 days, participating the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance program.

** Weber Liu participated in the "2008 I Love Taiwan mission program" hosted by the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan General Assembly from 6/26 to 7/12.