As a lot of you already know, I went on a missions trip this past week to Alabama to help repair houses. I decided since I had such an amazing time, I would write a post about it and about giving back in general. Some of you might not know it, but I am a Christian. I just end up not talking about it a lot on this blog because it is about fashion and such, so it doesn’t fit in most of the time!
When you think of the words “giving back” a lot of you might immediately think of an extreme case, such a feeding starving kids in Africa. That is not always the case! I like to think of giving back as opening your eyes to see ways around you that you can help people, even if it is just little ways. Then giving all you have to help the needs you see.
This was my first real missions trip. I got the opportunity to go through my school and I am so glad I got to go with so many people I knew. I also made a lot of new friends on the trip, which was an added blessing! I didn’t really know why God called me to go at first when I signed up about 6 months ago, but throughout the week God showed me why.
I got put on a roofing crew, which was surprising to me since it was my first year there! Normally rookies get put on painting crews. So yes, your fashion loving friend here successfully went on a roof, helped tear off old shingles and put new ones on without falling off! Every year there always is a “monster house,” which basically is one that is in really bad shape and takes a lot of work to finish. It isn’t planned or anything, but talking with people who have gone for years and years on this trip, they say it always seems to happen. And lucky me, I got put on the monster house. Honestly I think it taught me a lot about patience though. I am a very impatient person and I just wanted to work quickly and efficiently and get it done in time, but that wasn’t always the plan. I learned a lot about having faith in God. At times people on my crew doubted that the roof would get finished by the end of the week. In the end, it was stupid that we doubted God, because of course he came through, even though people had to stay later than expected to finish it!
While there, we only saw 1 person get saved. But I can guarantee dozens of seeds were planted for God! Many people came up and talked to us while we worked, curious as to why a bunch of teenagers were there working on roofs! Also, we went to a mall one afternoon as our fun time/break from the work. A lot of us wore our matching shirts, so that provoked a lot of questions and created lots of conversation opportunities with other shoppers and workers. Lots of people on the trip were praying that God would set up “divine appointments” for us. If you don’t know what that is, it is basically that God would let us be in the right place at the right time talking to the right people. He definitely went above and beyond in that area and every other area of the trip!
One of the most powerful things was the worship this week. Every single night we had devotions and worship time. It was so powerful and the things I saw/learned there will stay with me forever.
Overall I loved the trip so much, and hopefully I can go back again next year! I would honestly go back right now if I could! Personally I love service and volunteering because it makes me feel like I am actually helping someone. It is great to see how much my service, whether a big missions trip or small service for a neighbor, means to whoever I help.
If you are interested in making a difference, there are SO many different ways to get involved. If you are interested in traveling to a different place, I am sure churches in your area offer opportunities, or you can search for separate groups who do that. If you just keep your eyes open, you can find so many different opportunities right in your own community. And summer is one of the best times to get involved, so keep an open mind!
If you have any questions at all about this trip or service in general, please do leave a comment or email me at k.jones1296@gmail.com and I will get back to you asap!
