While I’m away, others will be writing in my place. Today, we have reflections by two members of our Youth Ministry who share their memories of their July service trip to Washington, D.C.

Peter Reuter Reflection

I had an unforgettable time during the mission trip. Don’t be scared if you are not super involved in the church at this point in your life. It will not take away from the unbelievable experience. The process of giving time and energy to others does make you feel better about yourself and your spirituality. All the group members helped me out and made me feel welcome. I’m sure their giving helped them feel better about themselves. As for the community service aspect of the trip, we enjoyed time with less privileged kids in the Washington, D.C. area. Personally, I worked mostly with high school kids whom I shared many things in common. Despite our differences in background, our needs and interests were about the same. Overall the trip was tons of fun and I implore anyone with the resources to be able to go on the trip, to go.

Catherine Maclang, Mission Reflection

Going to DC was an eye-opener for me. When I first arrived at UCAP (United Communities Against Poverty), the kids at camp were overjoyed to see us. I thought it was strange, because except for the handful of teens that came down last year, they had never seen any of us before in their lives. Nevertheless, we sat down with them, and immediately new friendships began to form. People started talking, jokes were told, and stories were shared. All it took was ten minutes and a few kind words to put a smile on everyone’s face, not just the kids, but the teens as well.

Throughout the week, we made arts and crafts, learned some new dance styles, and even took them on a field trip on a pirate ship expedition. Was it tiring at times? Sure. Was it worth it? Without a doubt, I, along with my fellow youth group members, probably had just as much fun as the kids. The relationships that developed between them and us are something that we will never forget. We’ve created friendships for life.

However, at the end of the week, the teens and adults got to go back home to our comfortable lifestyles. These young kids don’t get that opportunity. They don’t have much at all. They belong to struggling families, and some don’t have any toys, jackets, or a bed to call their own. Shanice, a young girl that I had grown especially close to, whispers to me one day and says that she doesn’t have a bed, or even a pillow. Later on she explains that she sleeps in a sleeping bag, and uses her clothes as a pillow.

Being exposed to this harsh reality really makes someone like me stop and appreciate all that I do have. I have everything I need to live a comfortable life, and then some. All of us today with our cell phones, iPods, and Wii games, while some of these kids don’t even have their own pillow. There are so many things that they don’t have. But they don’t need them to be happy. Put these kids in an empty room together, and they’re satisfied.  It was a chance to make new friends. I never realized that a little love, especially for those that may not always receive it, can go such a long way. Even the smallest actions can make a huge difference.