All my life I had gone to Catholic school and was taught to help others. My parents instilled in me to be a good person, and help where I saw help was needed. This caused me to grow up with a very caring and compassionate nature. I always wanted to change the world, but I also thought that it would be impossible. I was looking at the big, huge picture of the world, and let's be honest, no one person can change the entire world. So I settled for something smaller, something so much more meaningful.
Three-years ago I embarked on the most terrifying journey of my life. I left my home and my friends for two-weeks to do mission work in the Dominican Republic. My life forever changed in those two-weeks. I could sit here and write about how wonderful and amazing it is, but those words don't even begin to describe my feelings.
I was in a new a country with people I hardly knew and the locals spoke a language I didn't speak. All around me I saw hunger and poverty. Children had ragged clothes and no shoes. There was litter everywhere and the smell was far from pleasant. I was eaten alive by mosquitoes and there were huge cockroaches everywhere. The humidity was enough to suffocate someone, and it was hotter than hell. I went to the Dominican Republic hoping to make a change there, to save a little piece of the world. What I came to realize is that although I may have done some good there, I have been changed for the better. I had never dreamed that I would fall more in love with somewhere than I did with El Factor.
These people who had nothing to give me, gave me something no man could ever buy. They gave me the most important thing in life: my faith. The people of El Factor had been the most welcoming and most selfless people I have ever met. They don't have enough food to feed their family, yet they offer us what little they had. They welcomed us into their homes and treated us like family. I feel like I now have a family there. I keep in contact with some children and the wonderful hosts I had. I am so blessed when I talk to them! The children can't wait to tell me about their days and what they have learned. There is something that happens when you are working with the children there. They look at you with such trust and love, it's enough to make you cry. They have never met you before but you are now their best friend. My life has been forever change by the people of El Factor.
I have been blessed by this opportunity and the fact I have done it many times makes it more special. It has also helped me reach my true calling in life.
As a missionary, I realized that this call is not for everyone but everyone can help. Get involved. Donate what you can, and I'm not talking money but old clothes, shoes, books or toys. Something you think is trash is another man's treasure.
To all my fellow missionaries out there: God bless and safe travels!
