Mission Trip Memories

Mission trip memories from our teenagers…

“One of the girls put her hand on my shoulder while Pastor Marianna was praying for our group and told me that whenever they pray for someone they put their hand on them and let them know they are praying for them. She thanked me for everything I had taught her younger sisters.”

“My absolute favorite thing about mission trip was the worship every evening. I loved sitting in a circle and singing songs with everyone and being able to be together peacefully through worshiping God … I also loved getting to hear everyone sing Sanctuary without music. It sounded peaceful and it made me feel very close to God at the moment”

“My best experience with a kid was with a little boy named Michael. I helped him with his book shelf and he was really quiet and shy. I tried talking to him but he kept replying with one word answers and he didn't seem to have any friends running around that he was talking to. I invited him over to play sports after and he walked over with me but was still quiet. Soon, I saw him running with all of the big kids and playing like he knew everyone. He had the biggest smile on his face which made me happy and I smile about it every time I think about it!”

“My favorite memory from Mission Trip is of a girl named Laura in my group. She was so full of Joy, energy and God. On the first day of day camp, she was a little shy, but once we started talking, she branched out and showed her personality. Laura lives in a house with 10 or more members of her family and doesn't have very much. However, she never complained about anything and she always had a smile on her face and a hug to give. She taught me not to worry about anything and to be grateful for everything that I have. “

“My most distinct memory of El Cenizo was the joy brought to the kids whenever we as a group played with them during sports time, especially this group of young boys who were so excited and heart-warmed by playing a simple game of wiffle ball with them.”

“On the last day at closing when Pastor Mariana prayed for us, Kathy's older cousin held my hand and told me that this is what they do during blessings. But what I really remember was Kathy on her lap with her hands folded and her head bowed. She seemed as if this one thing was the most important in her life. I just thought that was an amazing moment.”

“I thought of the song He Is Able to describe us digging holes in the rock-like dirt to set a firm foundation for the playground just as day camp was setting a firm foundation for the children of El Cenizo. This week for me was filled with awe and wonder as I truly felt the sensation of ‘through God all things are possible.’”

“It was amazing how everyone came together and didn’t let hard rock, blisters, or early mornings deter us from getting the playground finished. We loved getting to see the children play on it the last day!”

“Through them I found my faith knowing simply Jesus loves me and he is able, able to use me to do amazing things. I found my freedom in the lord. "A truth that once was spoken to love another person is to see the face of God. I was so blessed that they saw God in me and I saw God's face every time I saw them for to love and be loved is life's greatest joy.”

“Most of the families and children we worked with lived with ten other people in the same falling down one room trailers. But I never heard any of them ever complain for the things that they didn’t have. This is something unique about those families that have close to nothing. They stick together, giving up the little that they do have if a neighbor is in need These children showed me not to take for granted all the things I have such as a home with air conditioning, my own car, and the opportunity to play all the sports that I choose. And they also made me realize how fortunate I am to have friends and family that love me and how to be thankful for everything that God has blessed me with”