Overall thought of the trip is that it was amazing. My favorite
part was working at Trailblazing Seniors, a drop in center for retirees, and
meeting Elder V (the woman who runs it). It was great because she told us what
God has planned for our future. We’re in Canada and going home tomorrow. –Noah
Today we sat in the van for a few hours and crossed to
Canada. We are currently staying at a church in Troy’s hometown. Our group
toured a lighthouse and then went tourist shopping where I got a sweatshirt.
Then we went to the beach. I almost drowned when I swam to the other pier then
Luke had to help me. This trip was fun since I was given the opportunity to
socialize with a lot of different people even though it was hard sometimes. I
also loved touring the local church in Niagara Falls called Holy Trinity it was
definitely a site to remember. –Kaycee
This trip was life-changing for
me. Not because it was my first, but because of the people I met. Of course I
met people while we were at the service cites, but the day we went to the falls
really made me think. We had just gotten off the Maid of the Mist, and just
decided to walk around. While we were walking around we ran into one of the
Youthworks staff, Joseph. He was talking to one of his friends he’s made while
working this summer, and apparently his friend wanted to tell his story. His
friend’s name was Micah. Before he told us his story, he asked everyone what
was their most difficult time in life. Some people did answer, but I had an
inkling in my stomach to answer. Micah told us about when he was born with a
rare condition that gave him cancer. At six months old he was doing chemo.
Medical conditions continued throughout his life, doctors didn’t think he was
going to live. But guess what he did! He said God had been there his whole life
and told him to never give up. He went through a lot of deep struggles and
decisions, and wondered if life was worth living. But God never gave up on him,
and he never gave up on God.
After he told us his story, we
began walking to where we would watch the firework show. Ginny was walking with
Micah, while I was walking with the others. As we were walking I was wondering
why he shared his story, because it’s not easy to. All last year I was working
with kids just like Micah. They usually wouldn’t open up right on the bat. But
the fact that Micah just told his story with no worries or hesitation, really
just spoke to me. When I asked him why he told me his story he just wanted people
to know that God changed his life for a reason, and God made our lives like
this. He asked me to tell him why I asked this specific question. I told him
that what he said and who he is just meant something to me. He was wondering if
I was impacted by his story and what I learned. He impacted me to learn people’s
stories and never give up even if you’re in a deep dark hole. He asked me if I
ever wanted to end my life. I told him no because I haven’t had enough time on
this earth to even think about it, even if I was just mad about life. He told
me it was okay if I ever wanted to end my life, because he’s been there before.
He understands what it’s like to not feel important or feel like nothing is
ever going to be okay. When I told him that it was my first mission trip and
that he was basically one of the first people I’ve talked to. Micah was surprised
and really proud of me because of that. I don’t know if that was because it’s
hard for people to even understand him, or that me talking to him was
surprising. Then he asked Ginny how I inspire her. Now that’s a question I
never ever thought I would hear about myself. Ginny said how I’ve been stepping
out in faith to help and talk to others. As well as the sincerity in which how
I carve out time for Jesus are inspiring. After that we made it to the site
where we could see Niagara Falls and we took a few cool selfies.
After we parted ways there was just an inkling
beat inside of me to dance, since I’m a dancer. Usually I never get that
feeling, but just by the way he inspired me. There were a couple other times
where Micah appeared, and him just being there made me happy. One of the last times
I actually was with him I told him that. He wondered why I was happy just
because he was there. I told him that he made me feel like I was important. I
told him that after I met him all I wanted to dance. He told me to just dance,
but for me it doesn’t work like that. He told me to dance even if people are or
aren’t watching, because who cares. He told me that if some of my friends don’t
like who I am then they’re not my friends. The last time I saw him he told me I
wasn’t alone, because God’s always with me. I told him that I would dance for
him because he impacted and inspired me. He said that I was the second person that
was directly impacted by him. He even pulled over Joseph to tell him that,
because they’ve become such good friends.
I’ll always remember Joseph. He
impacted and inspired me in so many ways I don’t think I even know how many.
The first day that we were there he sat at my table. Different people were
talking about they can’t do different things because they’re not talented
enough. He said that God gave us the gifts and talents we have for a reason. To
be able to see and make a difference with your gifts. The first night he also
told us how he didn’t fall into the right crowd in part of his life. He told us
how one day he knew he needed to make a change. Joseph talked about how God helped
him and never left his side no matter what. How God forgave him, and how things
you’ve done shape who you are for a reason. To me it just seemed like God’s
spirit was just shooting out of him all the time. Also how much he care about
then people who serve and the people being served. The way he inspired me to
learn about God, just by how he loves God. Also the fact that he wanted to know
each and every one of us, and if he didn’t he wished he did. Joseph is a person
who inspire others each and every day, and I’m glad I got to know him a little
bit.
I’m thankful that God placed all
these people and missions in my life, because without them I wouldn’t be who I
am. Especially all of the youth group people and volunteers. I’ll forever be
thankful for this mission trip and the opportunity to be able to share with
others. This scripture really spoke out to me this week, because to me it’s all
of life. “Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has
planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people can’t see the whole
scope of God’s work, from beginning to end,” Eccleslates 3:11. –Callie
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