A new understanding of mission

This past February, I had the opportunity to travel to Honduras as a member of a mission team from my home church in West Des Moines. Our plan was to help the people of the village of Veracruz, Honduras, by building latrines. I left home understanding that I would be changing the lives of the people of Veracruz while helping them to break the chains of poverty. When I arrived, however, I quickly realized that I would be the one whose life would be most drastically changed.

On Sunday morning, as I drove into Veracruz with 13 other members of my church, it was a humbling experience to see the conditions in which the people of the village lived. Small, one-room homes constructed of stones, tin roofs, and dirt floors lined each side of the rocky pathways used as roads. Chickens, hogs, and dogs roamed free through the village as children ran barefoot from house to house over the sharp rocks.

After participating in their worship service, with dogs running up and down the aisle of the rugged church, the rest of the mission team and I were introduced to some of the people of the town and soon began working on constructing the latrines. With our difference in language as a huge barrier, we worked alongside people of the village for the remainder of the week, constructing eight latrines. As the week progressed, we became a part of the community. Differences in language became less of an issue as we began to learn more about each other's habits and personalities. I began to develop a sense of trust and respect for the people of the village.

While the physical work of the mission trip certainly had its rewards, interacting with the people was the most humbling and joy-filled part of the trip. As a result of working alongside one another through this shared experience, the other members of the mission team, along with people in the village of Veracruz, have become some of my closest friends. Working with others to serve God has become such an important part of my life and is something I have a strong passion for. The friendships made and lessons learned through mission last a lifetime. I have a deeper appreciation for others and for time spent in service.

Despite their extreme poverty and difficult lifestyle, the people of Veracruz are the most hard-working, gentle-spirited, gracious, and compassionate people I have met. Their love of life in the midst of so many hardships was a true inspiration to me. I will never forget the smiles on the faces of children as we played and laughed together. The people of Honduras have forever changed my heart and my life, and I will always be grateful for them and the opportunity to be a part of this mission trip. It has definitely been the best experience of my life.

This amazing week had increased and confirmed my passion for mission more than ever. I found it difficult to leave, as I desired to continue to help the people I had come to love in such a short period of time. When we had returned to the United States and I had gotten back into the regular routine of school, I found it extremely difficult to stay focused. My mind was filled with thoughts of Honduras. I grew angry at the selfishness and excess spending of money that I perceived in American society when so many people were in need. The experience still impacts how I view certain aspects of life, but my anger soon decreased as I began to recognize things in new ways. The hardest yet most important lesson I have learned this year is that while it may seem that the money, time, and effort could be put to better use in this world, it is important for me to focus on my education. Although it may not appear as hands-on now, my education, along with a good job, will ultimately enable me to continually help others to a greater extent in the future.

I hope to return to Honduras, or wherever God is calling me, again next year. The people and experiences of this amazing opportunity have forever changed me. With a closer relationship with God, a greater appreciation for others, a strengthened passion for mission, and an open heart and mind, I have never been more reassured of my desire to become a minister. I eagerly look forward to helping others and continuing my education with new excitement as I actively engage in a life of service.