Every year since eighth grade I have made the trek from Columbus, Ohio, down to El Zorrillo, Mexico, for a week long mission trip. Before going for the first time I didn't really know what I was getting myself into. I knew that we were going to be building houses and that I would be with a lot of people that I didn't really know at the time. I was feeling a whole range of emotions. I was excited because it was going to be a new experience. I was nervous because I wasn't sure what exactly was going to happen. I was scared that it wouldn't live up to the expectations that I had for it.

That first trip exceeded my expectations tenfold and was the start of my passion for service. I learned so many things over that week. It's too easy to just donate money, say " I did my part" and be done with it. It's when you have the opportunity to go donate your time that it becomes something more. You can talk to other people about what it's like to be there, but it's not until you can experience it for yourself that you fully understand how important it is for you to be there.

Yes, it's hot, you're outside all day, and you're tired, but when you see the family that you're building the house for none of that matters anymore. You're giving the family a new home, but you get so much more out of it. They may not have much, but everyone is happy regardless of what is going on.

It teaches you to be more appreciative. You almost feel guilty for what you have when you get home. It's not just the people that you're building the house for that makes it worth it but also the people you're building the house with. You may start off as strangers at the begining of the week but by the end it feels like you've known them your whole life. I am so thankful for every single person that I get to spend time with throughout the week and for the opportunity to travel.

I highly encourage anyone reading this, if they aren't already, to start doing some kind of community service. It doesn't have to be as elaborate as going on a trip. You could volunteer at your local soup kitchen or homeless shelter every once in a while. There's a whole list of things to choose from and plenty of websites to get ideas from. Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something.

Here are a few websites with great volunteer opportunities!

https://www.volunteermatch.org

https://www.idealist.org/en/?radius=40000&sort=rel...

https://www.adventures.org