Headed Out To The Mission Field

“I’m going on a mission trip, y’all.”
Those are words I never imagined I’d ever say. But I’ve also learned to never say never because life is unpredictable and you never know where your path will lead you.
At the end of 2016, I spent some time setting New Year’s Resolutions like most folks. I can’t even remember what they were but what I do remember is that they were all about me and how I could make me better.
On New Year’s Day, I stepped off a step the wrong way and sprained my ankle. While I was sidelined to my couch with my foot propped up on ice packs, I began to reconsider my goals.
It was then that I decided I wanted to volunteer more. I wanted to serve and better the lives of others in need. I set a goal to give 88 hours of my time (about one weekend a month). I figured I’d spend some time giving to local Atlanta nonprofits and easily meet the goal.

And I’ve had some amazing experiences so far this year. I’ve had the opportunity to participate in a telethon to raise funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, pack meals at the Atlanta Community Food Bank, collect canned goods for Buckhead Christian Ministry, plant flower beds at D.M. Therrell High School, serve a hot meal to women and children at the Atlanta Mission’s My Sister’s House and teach a four year old class in Waumba Land, Buckhead Church’s Preschool Ministry, every Sunday for the past few months.
There really is nothing like seeing a small child bow their head in prayer, putting a hot meal in the hands of a homeless woman with small children or packing up a box of food that will go to one of 600 non-profits the food bank serves. The impact is truly amazing. I set out to bless others, but the truth is that I’ve been incredibly blessed in the process.
But what I didn’t realize is God had bigger plans for me…
As some might know, I embarked on a journey of faith and self-exploration earlier this year. While sitting in a church service a few months back, a video played announcing that Global (X) Mission Trip applications were being accepted. My small group leader and I looked at each other and said “Let’s do it!”
We found a trip to El Salvador in December that really spoke to us. The trip involved serving a children’s home called La Casa de mi Padre. The children who live there come from troubled families and are offered a safe place to grow up in peace and faith. The week-long project would involve hosting a Christmas party for the children and the families that surround the property.
Children have a special place in my heart and I’ve acquired a few event planning skills over the past couple years, so I took a leap of faith and applied.
I really didn’t know what would happen when I hit submit on the application and I was pretty surprised when I got a phone call a couple weeks ago from our group leader saying that I’d been selected as part of the team.
Truthfully, I don’t know what to expect on this trip. I’ve never been on a mission trip before and hardly outside of the country (besides a cruise to the Bahamas a few years ago). One of the many lessons life has taught me this year is to live without expectation and take life as it comes.
I believe I was meant to be on this trip and that I’ll be able to make an incredible impact on the lives of those children while I’m there. But beyond that, the rest is really up to faith.
How You Can Help
If you’re interested to know more (and perhaps read a deeper perspective on how faith led me here), I’ve written a more in-depth story on my personal Global (X) mission trip page and listed ways you can help if you feel called to do so.
I’ll close by saying that I’m excited for the opportunity and can’t wait to close out the year serving the world with the gifts I’ve been blessed to have.
Thanks for reading!
