Mission Trips Testimonials

This week has been such a wonderful experience. We started off the week with 22 hours of driving, which I wasn't exactly thrilled about, but I ended up making many new friends, which I am now grateful for. The first day of work I helped at a VBS, and let me say, some little kids are CRAZY. But, we love them! The second day we weeded a garden in the blazing hot sun, and after we got done, it looked so beautiful! Then, we cleaned up a lady's house, and the best part was how thankful she was. She even wrote us a letter the next day. Day 3, I worked at a food bank. I found out that all the food we were giving away to the hungry, was going to be thrown into a dumpster. That absolutely broke my heart. And again today I am at VBS. Now, each night we do a couple special things. We went to the Columbine Memorial. I think most everybody cried, that was such a great way for us to open up and realize what an impact we can have on people. Last night, we went out on the busy streets of Denver with six water bottles and were told to hand them out to the homeless. Now, this being totally out of my comfort zone, I was a little scared. But once I broke through my shell, I was proud that I did, and got to know some one's name, and make them feel important. I have loved this mission trip so far and I thank God for this special opportunity.

I thoroughly enjoyed working with CityConnexx. I think we came at the perfect time because there was a VBS going on at the same time we were here doing our mission activities. I LOVE interacting with children! One of our activities we did as a mission group was walk around the city and hand out free water to strike up conversation with random people who looked like they needed a little attention. I surpassed the minimal goal of talking to 6 people in 50 minutes; I reached out to approximately 30 people. I got into some conversations that made me realize how lucky I am to have the things that I do and that I take those things (and my family) for granted. I thank CityConnexx for the opportunity I now have to become a better sister, daughter and friend.

Denver is hot; extremely, unforgivably hot. Even though it is hot, I have had fun helping the kids and doing other works of service. This is a good program and I can see it not only helping the kids going through it, but it is also helping the leaders who are volunteering for it. Last night, after the homeless outreach we got to take communion on the Colorado University campus with three other youth groups. It was really cool!!! I got to talk to a guy named Harry and learn his story. Also, a few teens talked to Australian missionaries and shared their testimony with the group. It was really cool, and I have really enjoyed this mission trip a lot.

I have seen God work through many people including myself. Although it has been hard work, I have enjoyed getting to know the other teens on this trip and seeing God work through them; especially last night during our homeless outreach. Even though I did not have a similar experience I thoroughly enjoyed hearing about their conversations with the homeless and how God worked through them. :)

Despite the heat and other inconveniences I have really seen God working in the teens on this trip; including myself. Yesterday, as we did a homeless outreach I saw teens breaking out of their comfort zone to reach out to others in a community that they don't even live in. I have never felt closer to God than on this trip, and I want to do missions work in the future now because of this trip. It has been amazing.