May of 2015 was a huge month for me. I turned 17. I finished my junior year of high school, meaning I was about to enter senior year shortly. But these things could not ever compare to the summer trip I had planned at the end of the month.
My church youth family and I had been preparing for nearly a year. On May 29th, 2015 I boarded my first airplane to leave the United States for the first time ever, I was accompanied with nearly 30 of my closest friends and supporters. When I sleepily boarded this plane at an ungodly early 5 a.m., I had absolutely no idea what I was getting myself into.
This was my second big mission trip. The summer previous I fell in love with serving people for Christ, in Chicago. Soon after two plane rides, I found out Belize would be absolutely nothing like Chicago.
The first plane we boarded was a large, comfortable airplane. We sat coach with plenty of room (or as much room as you can expect on an airplane), complimentary Wi-Fi, and beautiful scenery of tall towers, and large expensive towers. From Jackson, Ms. to Atlanta, Ga, was no big deal. But Atlanta Georgia, To Belize City Belize, blew my mind.
In Atlanta, we boarded a MUCH smaller plane, with a lot less arm space, and no more Wi-Fi, it was definitely a more difficult flight to get comfortable on. The scenery changed immensely while we traveled out of the U.S. Skyscrapers, and large glass buildings became grass... some trees... and more grass.
Now, landing in Belize was nothing like I expected. Walking off the plane was the equivalent of walking into an oven. Large groups of tourists are everywhere, everyone is searching for luggage, and I am completely overwhelmed.
After a quick team meeting at the airport, and of course a picture, we boarded a bus to take us to our mission site. This is a large yellow school bus, with no doors, and of course no air conditioning. The ride is beautiful, and fast. There are some "suggested" road laws in Belize, but they are not enforced, to say the least. The ride is about 25 minutes and is full of large beautiful green trees, vibrant tropical flowers, and crystal blue water. Exiting the city the view began to change quite quickly. It became more and more run down the further we went.
When the bus reaches our destination, I am scared out of my mind. We are looking at the run down church we will be working at, and the run down school. I have never seen anything like this and I have no idea how I can work with this, or help in the slightest.
Not only this, but I am just mad. I am dripping sweat, I hate my outfit, I cannot see where Jesus is in any of this, and I have decided this will be the longest week of my life. I am clinging to everything in the world at this time. I cannot believe that in just a few short hours I have gone from having everything in the US to absolutely nothing.
That night I remember vividly praying in the tiny, dripping shower. I begged Jesus to show up, to change my heart and remind me what I am here for. To remind me I am here for a purpose, and I am here to spread his love, and tell people what he has done for me.
After a hot five hour sleep on an air mattress on the floor of a church, our team got up and got ready to go to the church we would be serving.
That morning I found myself with tears flooding out of my eyes in the middle of the church service, Jesus showed up quick. Not only did he remind me what I was here for, he showed me how amazing and happy these people here were. These people were filled with so much love and so much joy. But his love and joy is from Jesus, not from the things they had. I found myself starting to fall in love with these people and this place.
The days following just got better and better. The orphanage absolutely stole my heart. These babies were filled with the joy of Jesus from head to toe, despite the things they have been through. Everyday leaving these babies broke my heart, and if I could have I would've taken every one of them with me.
In the middle of the week, I received the opportunity to share my testimony in front of the entire church. This was something I had never done before, but I knew Jesus wanted me to share. This was the first time anyone had heard my full testimony, even my best friend. I told of the abuse I had been through and was still going through. I told about my alcoholic mother, about my grandparents passing's, my journey of faith, and I told of what Jesus had done for me and my sister. Of how safe he kept me, and how I had experienced his love and joy. That night someone committed their life to Christ. This in itself made the trip more than worth it. Because of my testimony, someone committed their life to Christ. That one person made me realize that all the pain I had been through was more than worth it.
This one week taught me more than I could have imagined. Leaving Belize was something I still struggle with today. More than anything I want to go back. The people I met in Belize taught me more than I could have ever taught them, and I am so incredibly blessed to have this experience. A part of my heart still remains with the babies and people in Ladyville and I cannot wait to be reunited with them sometime.
