Anthony

Anthony had fun playing catch with the kids during sports camp in front of the church this afternoon.

I never really knew what to expect on this trip, and I was a little nervous about stepping out of my comfort zone. But throughout the week, it led to moments like today. After helping serve, as Jesus did, by moving metal pipes and painting them, I could already see the community and the appreciation for this project. As people come by, sit in chairs, and watch us, the church's pastor prepares a meal for us, which is very touching to me and shows how grateful he is. But after such a long and exhausting day, and with the number of pipes still needing to be painted, I thought, "I don’t want to do this.” I am then reminded that God has helped me in so many ways throughout my life, and that without the relationship I have with him, I would be in a much different spot today. He has served me more times than I deserve, and more than I imagine. So, thinking about that, when the sun is blaring on my already sunburnt skin, really made me work harder to pass down that service and that love to others who are also in need. As the lord washed my feet and saved my life, my goal is to help others have the same, and I can feel that through something so small as a roof. After we were all done panting and everyone was hot, exhausted, sweaty, and tired. But seeing the kids run over to the kids club after school and attach themselves to me and the mission of hope team, so something so remarkable to live in a direct experience. Playing the most games and having conversations with a language barrier is so cool for me to be a part of. But the fact of them doing it all with the biggest smile on their faces, and you can see the love, joy, and happiness they have when being with us. It's something so touching that I felt in my heart, as that is one of the very few things God can do. Then doing crafts with the kids and helping them, and having this one boy always making sure I was with him and had an open spot next to him was so amazing, I can feel the attachment these kids have to me and everyone else, and I know I was here along with the rest of the team is here for a reason through Gods plan then, even after they all got snacks and a few kids calling me over to play volleyball while or before eating, it's so moving that they value connections so much. While having so little, they make the most of it through the holy spirit and God's overflowing love that he pours out.

The 4 teenagers on this mission trip: Jordyn, Anthony, Konnor and Isaac.