We do not realize how great we have it, until it is taken away from us. I was able to see poverty and the struggles of others first hand. This past spring I had the opportunity to travel to Belize in Central America where I taught in schools, built windows for the school, helped with a church service, and made connections that will last a lifetime. We stayed in bunks with no hot water, no clean drinking water, no air conditioning, and we slept on 4 inch foam mattresses. To say the least, this was the most humbling experience of my life. There are so many reasons why you should consider going on a mission trip during your life time.

The benefits of serving others is endless. A mission trip does not have to be church related, but it can be. Mission trips can be any trip that helps another human being or community. While serving, you learn so much about yourself and others around you. I never understood how privileged I really was until I saw how little others had first hand. We have seen commercials and ads asking for donations for kids who have no homes and nothing to eat, but we do not process how real that situation is until we see it first hand. As privileged global citizens, it is our duty to help those who cannot help themselves in order to make this world a better place.

Serving others helps you find yourself. I did not understand the amount of strength and compassion I had until I went on a mission trip. The late nights and early mornings in poor living conditions definitely took a toll mentally and physically, but it pushed me to greater heights. I now have a stronger relationship with God, but I also have more faith in myself. I have dealt with conditions that are less than ideal, and I have survived them.

I also discovered how compassionate I am for others. I knew I had a love for others, but I never understood how far that love went. I was able to connect and show love to every person I came in contact with during my trip. Many of the kids we worked with just wanted someone to show them that they cared and that they were loved. Some kids grew up with parents that were on drugs, or were gone all the time, so they didn't know what it felt like to be loved. We hate when our parents give us hugs before we leave, but all these kids wanted was a hug. I found what I wanted to do with my life, and how I wanted to live my life while on my mission trip.

Spending time in another country with the native people opens your mind to new cultures and beliefs. I never knew much about the people of Belize until I decided I was going on this trip. Luckily, they spoke English, so there was not a language barrier. But, they did have different religions, school systems, family lives, and of course food. We are so lucky in America to have so many foods available to us every single day. Many other countries will eat close to the same dish for every meal, every day. Their cultures are very different as well; many families lived together in homes with many relatives. Mission trips expose us to things we have never seen before, and therefore, help us have more open minds about life.

You make friend with people around you, but also from all around the world. I went on a trip with a group of people I never met before. I first started to get to know my fellow travelers through fundraising events and meetings for the trip. I did not have any friends on the trip, but when we came back, I would call them some of my closest friends. I am also still in contact with many people from Belize because the connections I made down there will last a lifetime. It didn't matter that we came from different backgrounds, religions, and countries, we were still able to connect and relate to each other. The friends I made while on my mission trip are some of my most valued relationships.

I cannot fully explain the benefits of traveling and serving others during a mission trip. I believe strongly that everyone should take the time to serve others in another country in order to make new connections, learn about other cultures, and help others. Serving others is not only about God, but it is about the difference you are making in the lives of others. The cost of a mission trip can sometimes scare someone away, but there is no price tag that can describe the value you gain from going on a mission trip. There is also plenty of community support and fundraising that can be done. I dare you to go outside of your comfort zone and go on a mission trip in the future, because unless we do something to change this world, it won't change.