Did I ever tell you about my second mission trip?
Toward the end of my freshman year, I was hunting for a summer job, and after nearly giving up several times, I landed a role as an intern with a local church from back home. My main duty was leading a high school youth group, but I was a little uncertain about going into the job.
I must admit that I never attended a youth group growing up. Concepts like nine square, “no purpling” and Wednesday night service didn’t exist for me.
Despite my lack of knowledge, I had a lot of fun. The youth group and youth pastor were very welcoming.
I spent the first two months leading Bible studies, planning events and spending time with the high school students.
The final part of my internship was accompanying the entire team as a chaperone on a week-long mission trip. When the time came, we took a majority of the youth group and traveled to a poorer part of North Carolina to help an orphanage.
I assisted my team with two things while we were there: replacing an old roof that had been destroyed in a storm and ministering to the orphanage children.
We spent all day in the blazing sun, and I definitely got sunburned, but the experience was something I would never trade away.
It would take me forever to tell you about all the unique people I met that week, but their love for Christ was indescribable. The kids had little to nothing, yet their only concern was glorifying Jesus. Even the kids who did not want to know the Lord were still open to listening to him.
Many gave their lives to Christ that week and were baptized. Seeing the overwhelming amount of genuine faith made me realize what a powerful God we serve, and what a privilege it is that we get to serve him.
Titus 3:5-7 says, “He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
That week-long trip encouraged me to keep strengthening my walk with Christ and taught me that just by putting shingles on a roof and taking the time to listen to others, I was able to be like Jesus.
That’s all for this adventure. I’ll see you in the next one!
Warden is the editor in chief for The Liberty Champion.