June 2016 I went on a week-long trip that forever changed my life.
Several months before this trip was planned God was telling me to go. I had been on a mission trip before and I knew the time was coming to go back. My sister was planning a trip to Tegucigalpa, Honduras with her college roommate and I knew this would be a great opportunity for the three of us, but I was worried how my family would be able to collect enough money for me and my sister to both go. I knew this was God's plan for me, so I decided to trust Him that it would all work out.
Months and months went by of lots of fundraising and praying and the time finally came to go. We boarded the plane and left Atlanta on route to Honduras. We got off the plane and loaded a large school bus and headed to the compound where we were going to be staying. On our drive up the mountain, I realized how different the culture was. The streets seemed as if they had no traffic laws, there were cars going everywhere. There were no houses, just shacks with no roofs, windows or doors. We got to the compound and rested to prepare ourselves for the busy week we had waiting.
Over the course of the week, we had many opportunities to serve in many different ways. The first day, we choose to build a house. I knew building would be difficult but I knew it would be worth it to provide someone with a roof over their head. We met the family which we were building for and they were so generous. While building, some of the family members joined in and helped our team build. My heart was so happy to see these people helping us when we were the ones trying to serve them.
Over the next several days of the trip, I fell in love with the country and its people even more. We visited many orphanages, hospitals, and we even got to take a trip to the dump to distribute lunches. Over the next few days, I began to realize how thankful I should be for everything that I have back home. I have a house, a bed, food, clean water, clothes, shoes, good health and so much more. I take these things for granted every day and these people will never get to experience these things.
I am so glad that I choose to listen when God called and told me to go. I made so many memories and friends through that trip that I will cherish forever. There is no doubt that I left a piece of my heart in Honduras and I will return very soon but until that time comes again, I thank God for Honduras and their people, and what God has done in my heart.
