There is nothing like a change of scenery with new people to re-ignite the flames for adventure and the desire to do something beyond myself. Even if it is only a temporary change of scenery. A few days ago I returned from a 10 day Ambassador trip to Puerto Rico with 8 high-schoolers and 1 other co-leader(Kacie who is amazing!). For the both of us, it was our first time leading this sort of trip and it couldn’t have gone any better had I wanted it to.
Myself and my co-leader Kacie.
Essentially, all 10 of us 2 weeks ago were strangers. Even with a few phone & Skype calls here and there leave a lot to learn about one another. By the end of the trip, strangers became lifelong friends, many lives were impacted, and deeper insight into who God is was discovered.
Our trip involved a teen/youth program in the mornings, house visits, painting a house, ATLs (Ask The Lord), getting involved in the church community, and so much else. The community we discovered in Arecibo is a beautiful thing. I think what they have going there is what God intended community to look like. All parts and all people coming together and working alongside one another in fellowship for the glory of God.
House visit to see Lucy. This woman loves Jesus like no other!
For some of the students on the trip, it was their first time seeing/experiencing something like that. To say there was a hunger for more as we began preparing to return home was an understatement.
So this trip for me? I was a little apprehensive at first when I found out it would be high school students. I’ve led lots of college students. I’ve worked with tons of youth. High school was not exactly a strong point on my resume. I COULD NOT have had a better group to work with. They were such a motivated, driven, enthusiastic, joyful, and ornery (Oreos that had the filling replaced with toothpaste) group of young adults. Their love for Jesus and reaching out to and loving others was inspirational to me.
Preparing for 2 days of painting a house!
I have had people tell me that they wish they knew what they know now at their current age, the things I know at mine. Well, now I’m saying the same thing about this group. They are light years ahead of where I was at in my own faith when I was 16/17. I can only imagine where it is that God will take them over the next 10 years. They have a fire burning within them that I don’t believe will ever be quenched by the status quo. It makes me excited for the future. Theirs and in general.
I’ll wrap up with this. This trip was not about 10 days of doing good deeds and then getting to go home and feel good about yourself for the rest of the summer. It wasn’t a vacation to a beautiful island or a temporary escape from parents/job/etc. It was God revealing himself in new ways to everyone, showing that He is very much involved in our day to day lives, and that it doesn’t just take a mission trip to do the work God has called everyone to.
That said, we make sure to have a little fun too, as evidenced by my attempt at a back flip off a rope swing.
These 8 young men & women are going to go back home and make in impact in their churches, their families, amongst their friends, and in anyone else they interact with. What an honor it was to lead and serve alongside them.
At the airport for departure with 2 of the best contacts I have ever worked with. Rob and his wife Holly. Without them, this trip wouldn't have even been half the experience it was.
