The summer going into my freshman year of college I took the biggest leap of faith I had ever taken before and I absolutely don't regret it one bit.
I made the decision to go on a mission trip to Brazil during the last semester of my senior year of high school. I figured since I was going to start college I needed to start getting out of my comfort zone more and doing things that scare me. Now, mission trips or trips in general don't actually scare me, it's more the traveling aspect. I have a great fear of flying over water and being in foreign countries or big cities gives me anxiety. But I am so glad that I went.
While we were there we were going to teach the people who decided to come to camp English, and being a future education major, this was right up my alley. We made lesson plans, organized all the supplies, and had a lot of meetings before we went.
I really had no idea what to expect. I had never been to Brazil before. I had no experience with Portuguese at all. And I was more nervous than ever. All I wanted out of this was to be able to make a difference in someone, anyones, life. But little did I know, it would change my life forever.
On the way there we had some backups at the airport and really nothing was going as planned, but somehow I managed to stay calm during it all. The next thing I know, we were already in Brazil making our cabin beds and this experience became much more real. I was nervous and anxious and I didn't like doing things that were out of my comfort zone, so this experience was really stressful for me as reality started to hit. Thankfully I had some wonderful friends and leaders who made the experience much more enjoyable.
During the ten days that I was there, I met more people and became closer with more people than I could have ever imagined. I wasn't just teaching my students, I was teaching my friends. We engaged in really great dialogue every day and all shared personal experiences with each other like we had known each other since we were five. Everyone was so welcoming and open it was truly amazing.
This trip taught me more about myself than any other experience ever could. It showed me a different way of living, a different culture, a different way of thinking. I can honestly say I see the world a lot differently now. Every country and area has their own unique culture and to be so invited into one that isn't your own is an experience that I will never forget. They welcomed us like we were their family, it was truly special.
Stepping out of my comfort zone and taking a leap of faith going to another country is something I am so incredibly glad I did because of everything I got taught while I was there and the friends I made. I went to Brazil with about one friend, and came back with a heck of a lot more than that. And although we don't talk all the time, everyone and everything that made my experience amazing will always be in my heart because it's taking that leap of faith that will lead you to an experience you will never ever regret.
