News Releases 2009

While many LeTourneau University students are traveling around the country and to Japan on mission trips, one group is staying right here in Longview, Texas, to serve God while serving others in a project called the “ Un-trip.”

About 15 students have been spending their spring break working with organizations like the Hi-way 80 Homeless Shelter, Buckner Family Services, Longview Police Department/City of Longview, and the city of Longview’s Maude Cobb Convention Center rodeo arena. They also plan to help the university move into its new cafeteria and airport facilities.

“Serving our community is a great way to share our time, our abilities, and most importantly God's love to people who are not only close to us geographically, but also close to our hearts,” said Amber Franklin, one of the students heading up the project. “Though there are no bus rides or passports involved, this is a part of the mission that Christ has set before us. The ‘Un-Trip’ is a chance to build relationships with the people whom we may run into at the grocery store or stand in line with at Bodacious. We will indeed love our closest neighbors during spring break, for we were loved first.”

The group worked at Hi-way 80 Homeless Shelter on Monday and helped tear down an old house on Tuesday. Wednesday, they painted at the rodeo grounds at Maude Cobb Convention Center, while Thursday their schedule included volunteering with Buckner Family Services. Friday, the students planned to assist a local church, Viva Abundante.