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WHen looking back on one’s life it can be hard to pinpoint instances that changed who you are as a person. However for me it is quite easy. Some of the happiest and most influential points of my life were during any of my four mission trips. Alongside members from my Methodist church I had the privilege of traveling beyond the comfort of my home to serve others much more in need than myself. One of these missions in particular had a huge impact on me, shaping my character and altering the way I view the world around me.
In 2015 I to a Ute Native American reservation in Utah to help at a local summer school. I worked with a class of third graders for the week, many of which were in summer school to escape their home life. While getting to know
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As the children opened up to me, it became apparent that many of these eight to nine year old kids were frequently exposed to drug and alcohol abuse. Their stories humbled me and made me thankful for my childhood. One of my happiest memories came from the last day on our trip; we help a mini triathlon for the kids instead of going to school that day. I volunteered to be a group leader. A girl in my group named Summer volunteered to run the mile long section of the race. As her event grew closer and the other members of our team completed their sections, Summer grew scared. She wasn’t in the best shape and was afraid she wouldn't be able to complete the mile. She was so upset that she began to cry, I was able to calm her down by promising to run alongside her. One of the adults on the trip strongly discouraged me from running since the trail was unpaved and I was dressed for a day at the lake, wearing flip-flops and a swim suit. However, I knew that Summer would not run without me so I decided to run barefoot. We started out strong with me constantly telling Summer she could do it, but as the end of the race grew near we made lots of stops and she began to get discouraged. Then, a crowd began to line the
"Sarah, we need your help in the Ukraine this summer. Can I count on you?" This question changed my life profoundly. I was asked to be a counselor on JOLT, Jewish Oversees Leadership Program, an opportunity to interact with young campers in an impoverished country and positively influence their lives. Little did I realize that this experience would impact mine so greatly.
It was the summer of 2013 when I was living with my grandparents and they told me about volunteering at the church. I didn’t know what they were talking about, so I took the initiative to go find out for myself that following Sunday. I was in the balcony on Sunday, when I heard the announcements saying we can volunteer for their hope food pantry. I was excited because it was going to be a chance where I can help other and get community service hours. Volunteering I began to think positive thoughts and telling myself “ I am doing a good deed”.
I was able to go on a mission trip to Minnesota Native American Reservation, Squaw Lake when I was 13. I learned the four Spiritual laws, and I accepted Christ through the training. I was able to share the Good News to mostly to teens and kids. His Holy Spirit deeply filled my life, and I wanted to grow my passion for God.
I spent every spring and summer in middle school doing mission work and community service. I loved the opportunity that it gave me to build relationships and share my beliefs with people I didn’t know. Little did I know that this would pave the way for a life-changing experience that I would encounter one day. Each spring my church would host a missionary event called “The Ignite Project.” I felt an urge to join the group, recognizing that it was a calling to profess my faith in Jesus. These mission trips helped me to go out
After making the difficult decision of moving out from a school I called home and attended since Kindergarten, my freshman year in a new environment made for a rocky start. I fell into the wrong crowd, tried getting out, but kept making bad decisions, which eventually led to a deep depression. My dreams I had as a child were fading before my eyes, and negative thoughts consumed my mind. I started to believe that I had no purpose and could never amount to anything, but the four days at Camp Barnabas in Missouri changed the course of my entire life. This experience was important to me and helped sculpt me into the person I am today.
This camp is designed for children who have limb deficiencies or amputations be able to come together for a week of endless excitement and fun. I was lucky enough to have eight girls ranging from six to nine years old in my cabin. It was my responsibility to be a leader to these girls, show them encouragement, boost their self-esteem and never let them give up despite of circumstances. Throughout the duration of this camp I truly learned how to be leader and how to exert a calmness in stressful situations that is able to reinforce sincerity and serenity. I left the camp feeling more blessed than I could have ever imagined. These children were able to teach me things that I will forever hold close and that I am confident will make me a strong
Many pivotal moments appear in a human beings life to change the way that individual thinks. All human experiences shape the way a person becomes. The death of my 20 year old second cousin changed my perspective on life. It was not because he was close to me or had a huge impact on my life, but because such a young life ended so suddenly. I got to experience how that impacted and even changed certain people. I came to the realization that all those stories on the news actually happen to real life people. These stories seem so unimaginable, but from that point on, I realized that anything can happen to anyone in the simple blink of an eye. I learned that although every human envisions certain things to occur in their lifetime, many aspects cannot
I put in my papers and shortly got my call to the South Carolina Columbia Mission. Over the course of my mission I have seen such a change in myself that pre-mission me wouldn't even recognize who I am. The change that has taken place has definitely come because of
Lastly, being apart of several trips and sleep overs at SMC, including numerous Lock Ins, Walking Wisely weekends, Camp KidJam, New York City mission trip, and Mexico mission trip, have also influenced my life. Being able to be surrounded by others walking in their faith, serving others and alongside others being the hands and feet of Christ will forever be a part of who I am. Accepting Christ in my life was something my parents did for me as a child but also something that I have done myself. Being able to recommit my life to Christ through these experiences has been a huge piece of my faith journey. I look forward to seeing how I can connect with others walking in their faith during this next stage of my
So in January of 2015, I signed up for a mission trip to Romania. It was about four months between my wake up call and actually leaving the country. During that time the fight with myself to follow God or go my own way did not go as well some days as it did others. Then I could finally get away from people, expectations, and burdens of everyday life.
Another event that has shaped my spirituality is attending Fresno Pacific University and CARE Fresno. I was in a physical and verbal abusive relationship for two years before I started Fresno Pacific University. During my Jesus & Christ Community class, we where discussing the Book of Matthew. I was able to apply many verses to my life and finally understand that God is always going to be there during stress, hurt, anger, and happiness. I was able to relate the verses to my morals and values in life.
I am by myself wearing my blue jeans and an old flannel shirt. It is cool outside but I decided to leave my gloves at home, feeling comfortable with my warm shirt and my sturdy boots.
The journey of life follows a predetermined pattern; we evolve from needing influence and guidance to finally reaching that point where our lives are up to us. I consider myself very lucky up to this point in my journey. Some people become sidetracked and wind up on a far different course than initially planned, but the detours I made have only assisted in embellishing the individual instead of devouring it.
Norma Bourland: Our son started using drugs when he was 14 years old. We had just moved to another state for the second time in two years, after living overseas as missionaries for the first 12 years of our son’s life. This was a lot for all of us in our family to handle, especially for an adolescent. Because my husband was the pastor of a small evangelical church, we lived on a limited budget, whereas our new community was very affluent. Our son’s new high school was huge, with about three thousand students. He was the youngest one on his soccer team, and although he was very skilled because he had been playing almost from the time he was born, he had a bit of an accent and was unsure of American ways. So he kind of stood
My most memorable trip was the day I went to the Children 's Memorial Hospital to meet my baby brother. Meeting my brother was an indelible moment because I had never felt such happiness and love for someone. On our way there, I also got to create a bond with both my parents and learn how to be a better happier person. At the time I was sixteen years old and was going through a stage where I felt depressed and that’s why the day I arrived at the hospital to meet my brother I felt this warmth in my heart that made me feel happy again.