If you read my previous article... You have read question one on the post trip reflection from my mission trip to Hawaii.
Here is question 2... ENJOY :)
Option 2:
What was the most significant challenge you faced during the service immersion experience? How did you work through that challenge? What support did you receive from others through this challenge?
The most significant challenge I faced during the service immersion experience was opening up to others fully throughout the first few days. I know going into this trip, I promised myself I would be open minded from the very first day on, and I don't want to say I failed -- but it could have been a lot better. If you think about it, I don't think anyone wanted to hear my full life story on the first day at camp while we are all meeting each other for the first time, arriving at different times, unpacking, eating dinner, etc. I did meet some of the friendliest faces at the airport while we were waiting for Emily to pick us up and that experience there was something I can always look back on as a challenge that I overcame. I could have easily kept to myself and been on my phone talking to family and friends from home, once arriving on ground and getting service back. However, I decided to put my phone down and be present in the moment in order to be with the people who I was meeting for the first time, that were going to be members of my team for the next week. This relates a lot to my everyday life and the struggles I face listed in the previous answer above. Every day is an opportunity for you to meet new people and that is something you are in control of one hundred percent. If you think about it, everything bought in life cannot take with you upon death. However, the memories you make and the people you meet that impact your life -- that is something you will always remember and be able to take with you forever. Even though everyone in life tries to open up to strangers there is always that moment of holding back certain things in your life you hesitate to tell someone you are meeting for the first time in your life (fear of judgment is a huge factor when talking about this issue). However, this trip really gave me another perspective on this that I may not have notice before. Why should I not tell someone my FULL story? Why should I hold back? Why should I hide my past when it got me where I am today? Why be ashamed of the things I have done in the past when if I hadn’t done them, I would have never learned the lessons I have from them? Telling someone your story- in full detail- gives another person the opportunity to know you for ALL that you are and not certain things person remember you for. There is a huge difference in that previous statement. The support did you receive from others through this challenge.
