After a year of weekly meetings, fundraisers, and packing, I travelled with 13 other classmates to New Orleans, Louisiana last summer. The mission we planned was to help the community impacted by Hurricane Katrina, the devastating natural disaster of 2005, that still affected the people of NOLA. Before this trip, I was unaware of the amount of suffering the community faced, for some had lost everything: their houses, loved ones, jobs, etc. Coming from a privileged upbringing, I sometimes take my life for granted. At first, I thought this trip would be very difficult, since I was away from my family and not allowed to use my lifeline to my family and friends. But, this service trip was life-changing, and I am eternally grateful to have had the opportunity to take part in it.

Over the course of 8 days, we were tasked with serving different communities, ranging from schools to gardens. I had never experienced the type of hands-on service we encountered, yet the work was very rewarding. Each day, I was introduced to a new community of suffering people. I will never forget Janette Bell, a 78-year old African American woman who devoted her life to New Orleans. She showed me the true meaning of life, one that made me forget about my phone. She was the owner of five different gardens across New Orleans, in which she named "Garden on Mars." In her gardens, she grew various vegetables, which helped bring food to the people of NOLA who could not afford to travel a half hour to the closest grocery store. Her small act of kindness planted a seed in me, showing me that her little action enabled a suffering community to be fed. She did not let her age get in her way, for she spent 8 hours each day planting, picking weeds, and feeding her neighbors.

Meeting Janette Bell was an unforgettable experience for several reasons. Since returning home, I have been inspired by Janette to give back to those in need. I put my desires into practice, for I donate some of my clothes to the Vietnam Veterans Association. Each month, I give about two trash bags full of clothes and accessories that I no longer use; my heart is warmed each time as I feel connected to Janette during this. Janette Bell opened my eyes to reality, showing me that I do not need these materialistic possessions to be happy. I have also vowed to put down my phone every once in awhile, and spend some quality time with my family, such as hosting family game night. Lastly, since I felt such a strong connection to all the people I encountered, I have decided to embark on more service trips in the future. I now acknowledge that it is not important to focus on the toxic traits of social media, but instead thank God for my blessings and attempt to help others.