HEBREWS 13:15 “Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.” To praise God in our times of extreme hardship and sorrows requires personal sacrifice. It takes an act of the will to lay our all on the altar before a God we don’t understand. When we bring a "sacrifice of praise," we choose to believe that God is still good and can be trusted. When we choose to praise God in spite of the storms, He is honored, and our faith grows deeper. It is why, many times, the mission trips I lead or help lead, are lead with a spirit of praise and worship. I partner with pastors that know their communities and know their people. The team is consisted of vocalist, musicians, teachers that love to worship and praise. Yes we'll worship services nightly but we visit homes. We sit in front porches, stand in their kitchens and living 'spaces'; in hopes that in the lyrics and melodies, our suffering brothers and sisters can be uplifted and grow in faith.