Many school mission trips feature a large group of students and chaperones who head to destinations around the world. A small group of Auburn Adventist Academy students and parents tried a new parent-child model this spring.
Four Auburn students — Greg Epperson, Charlie Fletcher, Isaac Jensen and D.J. Roberts — presented a week of prayer (three times a day for the lower and middle grades and for the high school) and helped with campus building projects at Pohnpei Adventist School in the Micronesian Islands. The students traveled with three parents: Butch Jensen led the building projects, Bill Roberts provided coaching for week of prayer, and Deirdre Epperson served as mission trip mother.
“It's a blessing to see the students enjoy what the guys have to tell them about Jesus and watch the boys stepping out of their comfort zone by standing up in front and sharing what Jesus means to them,” says Epperson.
This trip had several personal connections. Lauren Epperson, a student missionary in Pohnpei, knew her mother was coming but was surprised when her brother arrived too. Bill Roberts, Washington Conference ministerial director, had served as a student missionary in Pohnpei when he was a college student.
“It means a lot to me to bring my son here to a place that means so much to me,” says Roberts. “This is my fourth visit to the island, including my year here. I see clear evidence God is using this school to touch lives.”
