Story number 2 for 31 Jul 2003

(USA)–Meanwhile, war in Iraq and threats of terrorism didn’t have much of an impact on young people participating in short-term mission trips from the United States. Teen Missions International sent out more than 30 teams around the world. Teen Mission’s Beth Kostner says the 9-11 tragedy prevented many from going to the field last year. “We probably lost 400 kids. We’re about where we were last year. The war in Iraq didn’t effect anything.” Kostner says most of the teams specialize in construction or other special projects, but, “…all of the teams are given opportunities for evangelism. They usually work 5 1/2 days a week and then Saturday afternoons and Sundays are for evangelism. But, we also do have strictly evangelistic teams.” Kostner says these teams are made up of choir and drama teams. She says there are also backpacking and motorcycle teams that are taking the Gospel to hard to reach areas of the world. Last year, more than three-thousand people came to Christ as a result.