When Julie Rolff noticed a list of upcoming mission opportunities in a publication of First United Methodist Church of Peoria, Illinois (her home church), the “hurricane relief” mission trip to Dulac, Louisiana caught her eye. Wishing her husband could go, too, but knowing that wasn’t a possibility, she found herself considering the trip anyway. Later, she would learn that two other young moms, like herself, were also thinking about joining the team.

Julie had never been on a short-term mission trip before. And even though her degree is in environmental engineering, she says, “I certainly did not feel qualified to participate in a construction-oriented mission trip. Of course, I found out as many others have over the years, that when we say ‘yes’ to God, we soon find out that He has much more important things in mind than our ability to mud drywall or swing a hammer!” Here, Julie talks with Roger Wright, The Mission Society’s midwest regional director for church ministry.

Did the mission trip to Dulac offer opportunity to meet both the physical and spiritual needs of people?
J:My first trip to Dulac in May 2007 was amazing! God had prepared me, called me, and sent me to the home of a young mom about my age, who was raising two kids on her own and was still not living in her home almost two years after Hurricane Rita had flooded it in September 2005. Not only did God send our team to Nicole’s home, but in the weeks before our trip, our Sunday school class had just finished studying the book, Share Jesus Without Fear. With much trepidation, I soon realized that God’s call was for me was to share Jesus with Nicole (my first opportunity to witness to anyone after being prepared to do so). Nicole was gracious, and we had a terrific conversation that day as well as on many occasions in the months to come.

I understand now that God’s purpose and intent for my involvement in Dulac went far beyond that May 2007 trip. By September of that same year, the two other young moms and I began planning a return trip to Dulac with the goal of finishing Nicole’s home. But this time we would include our families as well! In December 2007, during Christmas break, a team of 39 from FUMC Peoria, including 16 kids, journeyed to Dulac, finished Nicole’s home, and in the process developed a real heart for the community of Dulac.

Many people would say, a short-term mission trip (STMT) that involves the entire family unit (rather than just or adults or youth) could become a headache. Why did you choose to make it a family STMT?
J: We knew that doing a family STMT would stretch everyone involved, but we are not to keep the blessings to ourselves. So it was a natural next step to make this a family-oriented mission trip. What better way to teach our children to love and serve Jesus than to have them work alongside us? At age six, my daughter learned that the most important thing she did that week was to show Jesus’ love to strangers by sharing hugs with them! Yes, this type of trip is complicated, but a STMT with families is an amazing experience – from growing new friendships, to learning to live with others, to being willing to give of ourselves.

Now that Nicole has moved back into her home, is the Dulac-Peoria relationship complete?
J: After my first trip to Dulac, I grew a heart for Nicole. After my second trip to Dulac, which included my family, we all had a heart for Nicole and now also a heart for Dulac. Today, after a third trip to Dulac, I know that God continues to have plans for us in this community.… The people of Dulac are written in our hearts… I would never have guessed when I said “yes” to God back in March 2007 that by March 2009 I would be contemplating God’s plans for my fourth trip!

What are some ways you and your family have been personally blessed as a direct result of the ministry your church has now established in Dulac, Louisiana?
J: The overwhelming joy for me has been three-fold. First, that my family is walking every step of this journey with me; second, that my husband is as interested in serving and loving on this community as I am; and third, that I am a part of a congregation of people who has grown in their love and support for Dulac. Six mission teams have served there to date.