When you go on a mission trip, you assume you are going to go help others. However, on my mission trip, helping others was the least significant thing I did. I spent eight days in Panama. I figured I would paint a church and clean an orphanage, but instead I built relationships with people that I will never forget. Mission trips are very relational; I got to know the translators and the children very well.

In the Panamanian culture, they focus on the person they are with rather than the time, and they want to make sure the conversation is complete before they move on to the next thing. This was a very cool culture to be immersed in because Americans live differently and American society is very fast paced and not personal. Our society has a perception that on mission trips you will be working. You are working for the Lord, which means building relationships, not necessarily building houses. However, on some mission trips you might do that. Just don’t forget to get to know every person you come in contact with and try to bring God into the conversation. I learned the importance of taking the time to get to know people and actually having a true conversation with them.

I felt no language barrier and since I wasn't able to check the time, time moved quickly. It reminded me that sometimes we all should slow down and get to know one another because that person in that moment is more important than what you are planning for the future. Live every moment and take it all in. We live in a world with many different cultures and languages, and we have one common ground which is Jesus Christ. We should remember that people are all valued in God’s eyes, and also remember that we need to take the time to improve our relationships in everyday life.

I am thankful God chose me to go on the mission trip and let me experience a different culture. It made me realize how the simplest things in life are indeed the most important.