Spread God's word

 I went on a mission trip with the group WE. We went to Ecuador and the Amazon for 12 days. It was the best experience of my life. I met some amazing people, and did something that I have always wanted to do. I was able to two of the things I love the most: traveling and helping others. 

We arrived in Ecuador, Quito, and were there for a day and a half, then we made our way down to the Amazon. Where we would be working on our volunteer project.  A majority of our days were spent working on that project, and I loved ever minute of it. We were working on a water project, which would bring clean water to the Los Rios community, which had 50-80 families. The school in that community already had a clean water filtration system, so we were going to give the whole community clean water.  In order to get that started, we had to dig out nine holes for the foundation of the system. They had to be 1 meter by 1 meter, and had to be about 5-6 feet deep. It was hard digging out these holes. The ground was hard at the beginning and the dirt was just heavy. Then when it rained, the holes would fill up with water, and we had to empty them, and then dig out the wet, heavy mud. We also dug two trenches, one of which we completed in a day (so I'm very proud of that). We also did some metal work.

We got to meet all of the kids of the families that this water system would be helping. It was one of the best moments of the trip. Seeing all the kids, made this real for me, seeing who would be affected by it, who would benefit from our work. All of the kids were amazing, and they had such a positive outlook on life. 

I would recommend WE for anyone that would want to get involved. They are a great organization, and they really do help out the communities that are in need. The trip overall with them was well planned, and I felt safe, all the time.  I would absolutely love to do this again. 

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I went to Honduras with a group called "Global Medical Brigades."  It was a medical mission trip.  We went to various villages in secluded areas on the mountains and provided medical care (we took doctors of course!)  The culture was incredible.  It is such a beautiful country, with beautiful people.  Plus I love the language.  I want to go back so badly.  But I really would prefer mission trips with Christian organizations.  I found a lot of the people who went on this trip were med school prospects who were trying to spice up their resumes.  I want to go with people who are doing it out of love, in the name of Jesus.

I have in the following locations:

Columbus, OH

Mississippi

Jamaica

Texas

Peru

Columbus, Mississippi after Katrina, Indianappolis, Jacamica. Tons of places.

Nicaragua, summer after my sophomore year at Auburn. 

I have been on three mission trips and counting. I live to serve! I feel that by showing that I care, someone will see the love of God and how it covers us all!

I had the chance to go to Guatemala twice as part of a surgical team. If you have this on your list, do it. It was life changing. 

Go on a mission trip to a third world country

I went with my youth group up to Chattanooga, TN for a week in June of 2012. We stayed in the dorms of Tennessee Temple University and worked with the Project Illuminate organization. We worked for three days repainting a woman's house. Our 4th day there was spent shopping downtown and tubing on the Ocoee River. My whole experience there was so Christ-filled I cannot describe to you how it felt. We had a worship service each morning and each evening after working we would worship and later get together in small groups. It is such a rewarding experience that I cannot wait to go on another one. I have a true passion for helping others and using my work to show Christ's love to other people. If you get the opportunity to ever go on one, please grasp that opportunity and go! Even if you don't like working that much, give it a chance. You never know how life-changing it may be! 

Have one planed for March-April

Honduras

 One week in Santo Domingo in 2013 and 2012

Have been to Hungary, Taiwan, and Appalachia for mission trips.

I went on a mission trip to Russia to help rebuild a church. What a wonderful experience!

Though I am no longer Christian, it was an amazing experience.