Saturday, July 18, we met at the IBSA building and rode across Illinois to Hannibal, MO.  We were welcomed by Trey Hall with World Changers, area riders,  and Ray Carty from Hannibal-LaGrange College.   We were invited to dine in the cafeteria in a private dining room and had a mini dinner theater as we were entertained by “New Edition”, the college drama team.  After lunch the names of all the World Changers who were arriving in Hannibal on the following Saturday were read aloud and we then prayed for them, their safety, and their impact on the community.  We left a signed letter and tootsie-pop® for each of them.  After the ministry we enjoyed a ride along the river on 79 to Louisiana.

Answered prayer - check out the story below from the World Changers Blog - photos below that.

A thundering boom filled the air Friday morning as a plane broke the sound barrier near Hannibal–literally making World Changers go out with a bang as the project came to a close. However, it wasn’t just the sonic boom that rang loud and clear throughout the city. It was also God’s mighty hand at work. 

God really did some amazing things here. He took a group of around 200 participants and allowed them to complete 22 different projects, present the Gospel 116 times, and hand out around 20 Bibles. The best part though is that at least six participants discovered what it means to have a relationship with Christ by accepting Him as their personal Lord and Savior. What a week! 

Countless lives are changed each year at World Changers as students and adults learn what it means to live a life of missions. The people from Hannibal openly invited and loved World Changers, and we thank each and every one of them for that. One homeowner was so touched by the work that the Paint Chips crew did on her house that she even wrote a letter to be delivered to them at Closing Celebration Friday night. She said: 

Dear Chelsey, Grace, Wynnsol, Josiah, Seirra, Jessica, Rebecca, Kenny, Max, Drew, Craig, Paula, Cecil, Steve, and Kevin, 

At the beginning of the week you faced what seemed to be an insurmountable task. You had a huge (and I do mean huge) house to scrape and paint. All week long you focused on the task at hand, did whatever was asked of you and gave me a beautiful dwelling place that I call home. Everyone who passes by looks and smiles. Everyone who calls says it looks great. 

Maybe more importantly is the fact that you shared Christ with Hull. You went door to door and spoke and prayed with people. You also showed them Christ’s love just in the fact that you were here and painted the house. People noticed and it will make them think. 

Thank you again. May God bless each one of you wherever He leads you. 

Mary

P.S. To the group that came and lent a hand–Thank you also. You had completed your house and still found energy to help. Many hands make light work. Thanks for helping. 

We are so excited about the work that World Changers completed, but are more excited about the life-change, like Mary pointed out, that took place and the six salvations from the week. It couldn’t have been done without great participants and an even greater God. All glory goes to Him! Thank you so much for all of your prayers.