Jumping on a plane and flying off to a foreign country you've never been to with unknown dangers, outcomes, and people is most certainly terrifying. But when I looked into the eyes of a child who has never seen the lights of a city, driven a car or had a real Italian meal, I knew it was all worth it. These kids completely altered the way I looked at privilege in five minutes. Watching 5, 6 and 7-year-olds play soccer with any object they could get a hold of (usually a water bottle) is priceless. The way they beam when they see a picture of themselves on a camera makes you realize just how priceless life is. Traveling the world to serve and help people who have no one else who cares, or even knows they exist is a worthy adventure any way you look at it.
Standing in the middle of a village of tar paper shacks and shanty houses looking up at the stars that are entirely un-obscured by light pollution or clouds made me realize just how small I really am. I'm a tiny little fish in a giant ocean filled with people who have no idea who I am, places I’ve never been to and hardships I've never endured.
The people and children I’ve had the privilege of spending my winter break with for the past two years are the most gracious, kind and joyful people you could ever meet in your life. They are filled with joy simply because they exist. They've surveyed civil wars, gang violence, influenza, parasites and a whole host of challenges most Americans and most people couldn't even fathom dealing with. They opened their doors to us, they opened their homes to us and they opened their families to us. Their family is our family.
If you asked any one of the 75 people from Younglife Syracuse before we left, why they're going to a small village called Rancho Grande in the Bajo Lempa region of El Salvador, Central America, their answer would be to make a difference. If you asked any of them when they came back where the difference was really made, they would say inside of themselves. There was only so much we could do in a week, but the villagers in our beloved Rancho Grande made the difference inside of us.
In a week we held a medical clinic, a dental clinic, helped clear jungle, we dug trenches for piping, we cleaned chicken coups, held a clothing and shoe giveaway, played games with the children and WE PLAYED AN ANNUAL AND OBLIGATORY EL SALVADOR VS. AMERICA SOCCER GAME! America won -- score, go team! The only reason we won was our unfair advantage. 40 players vs. their 15 and we barely won.
My service trips have made me realize a multitude of things that I believe have been fundamental in forming who I am. I am a spec of dust in the broad spectrum of life. Though this is entirely true I have a purpose and the ability to make a difference, service trips have made me fully understand my wanderlust. They have made me realize I can conquer things that seem too big for one small person to handle. They've made me stronger and braver. They've made me realize just how lucky I am. I wouldn't give up a second of the time I spent in El Salvador. Words can't express how much I want to go back. Words really can't express how much I want everyone to experience it. so get out there and go find an adventure in a foreign country. I promise it'll be worth it.
