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As the Sept. 11, 2001, anniversary approaches, Shirley and D.C. Thompson of Greensboro will once again remember the opportunity they had to help with the disaster relief at the Pentagon after that never-to-be-forgotten day in our nation’s history.

They arrived Sept. 14 in Arlington, Va., and Shirley Thompson remembers how all the rescue workers were somber but very appreciative of each other.

Outsiders came by to observe and thank everyone for their efforts. Shirley Thompson recognized the late Sen. Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts, who expressed his appreciation.

During that relief effort, Shirley Thompson worked on the serving line, and D.C. Thompson worked in the sanitation area.

The Thompsons participated in this rescue effort as members of N.C. Campers on Mission, a fellowship of Christian campers sponsored by the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina and the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Named Camp Unity, their camp was around the corner from where the plane crashed into the Pentagon.

Camp Unity was spread with tents of all sizes and colors. Truck trailers were parked everywhere, and golf carts were running all over the place delivering supplies. Noisy generators were operating, and long lines of portable toilets were set up for people to use. Huge tanks of potable water were parked near a large outdoor kitchen and sanitation area for washing and sanitizing pots and pans.

The Thompsons’ team returned Sept. 19 to Greensboro when another North Carolina rescue team arrived to relieve them.

The Thompsons’ white camper has taken them thousands of miles on mission trips.

“Dedicated and longtime COM volunteers inspired and encouraged us to get out of our comfort zone and get involved with missions,” they said.

In 2008, N.C. COM had 132 volunteers who reported a total of 25,837 hours in ministry with 58 professions of faith.

North Carolina is one of about 40 states with COM chapters. Membership is free and open to Christians of all denominations. Members need to have a love for missions and camping, and they must have camping equipment, anything from a backpack to a recreational vehicle, the Thompsons said.

Since 1990, N.C. COM has been involved in the N.C. State Fair ministry, and it has become the largest N.C. COM project. Forty ministry groups participated in 2008.

The Thompsons help host the church next to the Village of Yesteryear, a large, round building where artists and craftsmen demonstrate and sell their crafts.

The church is part of the N.C. State Fair Heritage Village Collection.

The day before the fair starts, COM members walk around the fairgrounds and distribute hygiene bags containing toiletries to fair workers who operate the games and rides.

Prayer and friendship evangelism is a big part of the COM ministry to fair workers. They are invited to come to the church for coffee and snacks each morning and a free meal from the soup kitchen about 11 a.m. They are also invited to return to the church that evening for a free barbecue supper provided by a COM friend who cooks and prepares the food with the help of COM members.

Christian groups come from the mountains to the coast to present programs which consist of gospel singing, puppets, interpretative movement and mime.

During 2008, 53 COM volunteers were involved in this project, which resulted in 20 professions of faith and three rededications, Shirley Thompson said.

When Samaritan’s Purse began its Operation Christmas Child program of collecting gift-filled shoeboxes to distribute to hurting children around the world, Shirley and D.C. Thompson called the organization in Boone and arranged to volunteer a few days in the processing center.

They worked several days and found it to be such a rewarding experience, they proposed it as a mission project for their Sunday school class at First Baptist Church.

For the past eight years, class members and others have gone to Charlotte or Boone to inventory gift box contents and remove prohibited items and add others items if necessary.

In more than 100 countries, shoeboxes are handed out to children by local churches, along with a gospel booklet titled “The Greatest Gift of All,” written in their own language. This is a way to share God’s love and the good news of Jesus Christ with children around the world.

The Thompsons’ disaster relief/recovery work has taken them throughout North Carolina, Georgia and West Virginia.

Their mission work has taken them to Alaska, and they have done volunteer work at Baptist mission centers in Houston; Tucson, Ariz.; Tampa Port Ministries Seafarers’ Center in Tampa, Fla.; and Wycliffe Bible Translators and Campus Crusade for Christ in Orlando, Fla.

The Thompsons have been members of First Baptist Church since 1966 and have participated in several of the church’s summer building projects and in the work of Habitat for Humanity.

The Thompsons said their most meaningful ministry at First Baptist was during the period they served as teachers in the Happy Hearts Sunday School Class, a class for developmentally delayed adults.

For information on participating in the Samaritan’s Purse project, call (800) 353-5949.

For information on the N.C. Campers on Mission, visit www.nccampersonmission.org or call Ed Parks at (252) 977-7357.

To suggest a person or organization that is making a difference in the lives of others, contact Peggy Longmire at rlongmire@triad.rr.com or call 288-9040.