Yes, I have experienced all of the above the last two weeks and am currently staring at the infected concrete burn on my leg with an unexpected smile. For those who are confused, as part of my summer job, I've spent the last two weeks traveling on two different mission trips to Memphis, Tennessee and Reynosa, Mexico repairing and building new homes. Through each unique experience, I watched two groups of people become completely transformed right in front of my eyes, including myself. Having been on both of these trips while I was in middle and high school, I didn't expect these places to have much to offer me. However, being, I guess, older and wiser, (maybe not?) I was shocked by how energized I have felt after these last two weeks. Running on minimal sleep with a sore throat, sweat dripping down my back, and pieces of fiberglass digging into my skin sounds pretty miserable; but every trip I've ever come back from, I've been the happiest I've ever been. Mission trips are a bonding experience for all; so much is learned and friendships from any background can be formed. They make you appreciate all that you have in your life; however, the key to any trip is being open to what those you are serving can offer you. Its an experience everyone should have in their lifetime.
On each of my trips, I was surrounded by love. Everywhere I went, I saw God's light being shone through each person around me. In Memphis, it was our homeowner and her son who had a cookout lunch for us with hotdogs, grilled chicken, baked beans, and a refreshing lemonade. In Mexico, it was our foreman who stood watch outside of the complex we stayed in each night throughout the week while we slept, and then were standing beside us that next morning showing us how to lay cinderblock, and out-shoveling us while hand-mixing concrete. They truly cared for us, and about our well being.
I was also surrounded by a tremendous amount of joy, even when there seemed to be little to be joyful about. This came from watching some of the kids playing with my camera and taking all kinds of blurry pictures of each others faces, or someone screaming after they scored a goal in each of our soccer matches. But, also on each worksite the constant singing and laughter as water fights broke out to keep cool: everyone was happy.
I was shocked by the brokenness that laid before me. In Memphis, we learned that many of the children from across the street who came to play with us each day as we worked, were all probably abused by their father. Our homeowner, was an older lady who lived alone below a caved in roof in the middle of Orange Mound, one of the most poverty stricken neighborhoods in Memphis. Each day, we heard the sirens of the local Family Dollar go off because someone like our homeowner was in such a desperate situation they felt the need to rob it. In Reynosa, Mexico we saw third world poverty in full fledge from the skinny, mangy dogs that ran around the streets to the unpaved roads and trash filled lake. My homeowner there, lived in what was basically a stack of old wood and metal sheets made into almost like a tent for 5 people to live in. It was the kind of image that I will never forget.
However, even through their brokenness everyone we met was so incredibly grateful for all that we were doing and everything they had in their lives. In Mexico, one of our foreman was showing us pictures of his daughter's quinceañera and graduation from earlier that year. And our homeowner, was serving us Mexican coke when the energy levels all started to die down in the late afternoons of working. In Memphis, the little girl from across the street each made us bracelets before we left. And our homeowner, never failed to thank us throughout the day for enduring the Memphis heat. In each place, they constantly expressed their gratitude and appreciation for being the answer to their prayers.
Finally, I saw acceptance from people of all nationalities, schools, and classes. In Memphis and Mexico, we were welcomed with excitement and open arms. My homeowner, Gina, in Reynosa immediately learned each of our names the moment we set foot on the site of her new home. Her nephew sat teaching me what the different tools around me were in Spanish, while I taught him what they were in English. Meanwhile, the week before in Memphis, our homeowner invited us inside her house during our short breaks to cool off by the giant fan she had going. She sat with us and talked about anything that had happened earlier that day on the news, and slowly we developed a friendship throughout the week.
Really however, what these trips made me realize was that love, joy, gratitude, acceptance and acknowledgement of our own brokenness is something that should always be a part of all of our lives. At the end of every trip I've ever been on, we talked about how we want to implement these ideas, but it is hardly ever done. Whether its your hometown, Wofford, or somewhere else we tend to get stuck in a bubble when we really should be looking to open up ourselves to finding joy in unexpected places. There are other ways all around us to give and to serve, but taking the time to even look for those opportunities can be a challenge. Each of these experiences I've had this summer have made me appreciate all that I have in my life, but also curious about what I've been missing. Sometimes, stepping away on a mission trip can help you notice what's right in front of you.
One of the most incredible experiences I had while I was in Memphis, was when an older gentleman who worked for the organization we had partnered with, came up and said he remembered seeing me five years ago when I came before. Not only was I shocked by his memory, but even more so by his later comment saying, "God puts everyone in your life for a reason, and you never know who that might be in your life, but he is always trying to show you his light." Each of us has a some sort of gift that God wants us to share, but we have to be open to the opportunities around us for sharing them. It might be for your roommate, a struggling elementary school student, a family member, or someone else but no matter where it is, its important to see that everyone is hurting and broken, so you never know when you might be the light in someone's life when they need it most. Going on a mission trip, might just help you realize it.
For more information on the organizations we worked with, please visit their websites.
