The start of our week long journey started before dawn—as we met at the church, songbirds greeted us from the trees surrounding. As we departed and the sun peeked into the sky, they continued their song, sending us on our way with the notes of a sweet goodbye. As I watched the familiar trees, buildings, and people melt away behind us, the feeling of excited anticipation filled me. Mission trips always have a way of changing me. They never fail to teach me something new, give me a new sense of perspective, or allow me to look into the minds and hearts of my team. The van ride seems like a long nuisance to some, but to me, it is the first steps on this adventure, and every step is just as important as the next. The flat farmland of home was pinched and folded into mountains hours down the road, God's big "welcome home, here you are" message to me. We stopped at the natural bridge and ate lunch by a fish filled stream, and my hunger for this adventure grew even stronger. Hours later, we arrived at the church, our home for the week, greeted by three smiling faces. I know these faces will change me. I know this place will change me. I hope that for all of us, what we find in this week never leaves us—I hope change find us, and even as we leave physically, is carried with us like the farewell songs of the birds. - Rachael, 5th Year
The morning had started with a rough awakening at 5:30 am,for many that meant a while to talk with friends for nine and a half hours, look at the views, or just put some headphones in and listen to music. During the ride, the sun was rising right over the peaks of the mountains and it was almost as if God was the sun, showing up at that specific time ringing a friendly reminder that he will be with us and help us show the compassion we need during the trip.The break in our day was when we stopped at Natural bridge, a mountainous view in Virginia,for lunch time. The hike lasted quite some time,but it was memorable to be shining examples of Christ walking the trails beyond others. The mountainous bridge, to me, felt like gods hands. The boulder was a bridge that held the vehicles to walk over to get to a new destination. Putting this idea into the contrast of Christ, God's hands pick us up when we need them and bring us to new places, which is what this mission trip revolves around. I never will forget that image of nature picking us up and moving us to the new challenge. After our hike and running up a million flights of stairs, we had eventually gotten to the church where we would be staying. Our team was greeted by the friendly,adventure serve workers, and I knew I would be destined to grow and have fun with the journey I go on this week. - Grace, 1st Year
Check out the pictures from our mission trip by clicking below.