Growing up in a Baptist church my whole life, going on mission trips just became kind of expected of me. I was worried and very hesitant about going on my first one, but after that first one, mission trips were all I wanted to do.

God called us to serve Him by serving others and sharing His love. One mission trip really stuck out to me and showed me that even though its hard to choose between going on a trip that only benefits you and going on a trip that requires work and dedication from you, choosing the latter of the two is always the way to go.

The summer after my senior year, I was faced with a choice. I couldn't afford to go to both the youth camp and mission trip to Little Rock, Arkansas. I had to choose which one to go to. I struggled making this choice, but one verse made it obvious to me. Matthew 5:13-16, "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." We weren't called to go and serve ourselves, we were called to go and serve others.

Yes, I would have gained so much from going on that youth trip, but what other seeds would I have helped plant that week? Now, I am not saying that there is anything wrong with going on youth trips, but that is simply not what God had planned for me that summer.

That week in Little Rock was the best experience I have ever had on a mission trip. I had the wonderful opportunity to go and serve at the Dream Center there. I got to work with wonderful children and adults who taught me more about God's love then I probably taught them. Those children made an impact on my life that I will cherish forever. From the moment I walked in to the moment I had to say goodbye, I loved on them and they loved on me with all they had.

God's presence was never lacking in those few days. Even when the storm came through and wiped out the roof, and took away electricity, we never stopped worshipping His name. Now, let me tell you, if you want to have a worship experience like no other, go to a hotel full of middle school and high school kids that has no power and listen to them sing these words, "Our God is the Lion, The Lion of Judah. He's roaring with power and fighting our battles. Every knee will bow before the Lion and the Lamb. Oh, every knee will bow before Him."

Two things happen when you give a girl a mission trip. She falls in love with the joy that comes from being there with those children and serving others, and she also learns to never stop trusting God's timing.