Going on a Mission Trip (God at Work Story)

I have a wonderful story to tell you.

During the month of June 2013. My company was invited to take photographs of bands that were participating in the 375th anniversary of the Swedish and Finnish Colonists coming to the United States.

Needless to say it was a blast to watch and to be behind the scenes taking photos. I must give a shout out to, Marja Kaisla, Terry Lee Barrett, Lynell Wilcha, DJ Lars Peterson, Sattuma, .’. IVA .’. and The ABBA Girlz.

The day was extremely hot. I think we were in the middle of our second or third heatwave of this wet summer. Even though we were right on the river at Penn's Landing, getting a breeze, it was probably a 90 degree breeze. With the stage lights and running around on the stage to pictures then out into the crowd, this big guy started to sweat and get a little overheated. I needed somewhere shaded and cool.

Theresa, my wife, motioned with her hand to come to the back of the stage ground level. It was much cooler with a shaded canopy and the river breeze. I still was hot, but much more comfortable. Just as I started to sip an ice cold bottle of water a huge group of kids came over to Theresa and started talking to her. Having been on the stage, my hearing was shot and I was having a difficult time understanding what these cute young girls and boys, were asking her.

Theresa introduced them to me. Since I had the official red band around my wrist, and I had just come off the stage all sweaty, I fantasized, they were rushing over to meet me to get an autograph. As thrilled as that made me feel. I knew, I was going to have to let them down easy and tell them the truth, that I was just a freelance photographer for that day and not in the band. Ohh do I fall for the temptations or what?

Then it clicked, I recognized their smiles and Theresa’s light shining out of her. When she turned to me and yelled in my ear, “These kids are going on a mission trip to Mexico and asked if they could pray for us. I told them, I don’t have anything, I can think of to pray for right now, but may we pray for you?” My fans graciously accepted. (just kidding) So, here are this group of missionaries and two old farts, back stage, praying to our most high God and savior. We all hugged and shook hands and separated, suddenly they came running back. Of course they wanted my autograph, wrong again! They did ask for our names to add to their book of people they had started a relationship with.

I was compelled to take their picture as a momentum, of the highlight of my day. That’s right, God said, if you think taking pictures on stage with The Abba Girlz is cool, watch this! And he sent these 6 wonderful people to touch our hearts and lives, so we could share it with you. God is truly great!

–William