Growing Through Serving
When I was 14, I had the opportunity to serve on the Navajo reservation in Arizona. I clearly remember the excitement and nervousness that filled me as I looked forward to my very first mission trip. This was something completely new to me, and although I wasn’t sure what to expect, I knew that this experience was going to be significant. Looking back, I now realize that this trip wasn’t just a one-time adventure, but the beginning of my journey of serving others and sharing the word of God. The lessons I learned on that trip have stayed with me, shaping not only my spiritual growth but also my outlook on life and service.
Let me take you through some of the highlights of what that mission trip entailed. Upon arriving at the reservation after a long and exhausting day of driving, the first afternoon was mostly about getting settled in and meeting the staff who would be working alongside us. There was an instant sense of community and purpose that began to take shape, even before any work had begun. In the evening, we played games with the children who lived on the reservation, which helped ease any remaining nervousness I had. These simple moments of laughter and connection paved the way for the deeper work we would do in the days ahead.
The following four days were a blend of devotion, hard work, and heartfelt connections. Each morning started with a devotional, where we took time to read and reflect on a Bible verse, often focusing on themes of service, humility, and love. Afterward, we gathered together in prayer, asking for guidance and strength to get through the day's tasks. We would then go over the day’s schedule, preparing ourselves mentally for the work ahead. Once everyone was ready, we were split into work crews, with each team assigned to different projects around the reservation. The jobs varied in nature, ranging from physically demanding tasks like digging drainage systems and fencing to more detailed work such as painting a car garage shop. It wasn’t always easy, but every task we completed felt purposeful, knowing that it would directly benefit the families living there.
The days were long, and the physical work often left me exhausted, but the sense of accomplishment that came from helping others was incredibly rewarding. As the days passed, I began to feel a shift within myself, both emotionally and spiritually. I grew stronger in my faith and more confident in my ability to lead and serve others. This experience didn’t just challenge me physically—it challenged me to grow as a person and to see the bigger picture of what it means to serve.
Lessons Learned
Through this mission trip and others that followed, I took away three important lessons. The first is that to serve and share the word of God effectively, you must be willing to step out of your comfort zone. The second is that true service is not about seeking personal rewards or recognition, but about genuinely benefiting the people you are serving. And finally, the third lesson is to embrace and cherish the connections you make with the people you meet along the way. These lessons have remained important to my understanding of service and have guided me in every mission trip I’ve been a part of since then.
What can we take away from these lessons?
When faced with situations that push you outside of your comfort zone, it can be tempting to shy away or avoid them altogether. Fear of failure, uncertainty, or discomfort can hold you back, but real growth and impact happen when you move beyond that fear. In my case, I found myself leading a small group of children, organizing activities to uplift and teach them more about God’s love. This was far outside my comfort zone, as I had never seen myself as a leader, let alone one who could confidently share the word of God with others. I had always been more reserved, often letting my fear of failure stop me from stepping up. However, as I pushed myself to take on this role, I discovered a strength I didn’t know I had. Not only did I grow in leadership, but I also gained a newfound confidence in sharing the Gospel. I learned that sometimes the biggest breakthroughs happen when you do something that scares you, and in doing so, you often benefit others as well as yourself.
The second lesson I learned is the importance of serving with the right intentions. It’s easy to fall into the trap of seeking recognition or working for the sake of personal pride. On my first mission trip, I made this mistake. I was so focused on making myself look good in front of others that I lost sight of why I was really there. My attitude wasn’t about helping the people on the reservation or sharing God’s love—it was about proving something to myself. That mindset only made the trip harder and less fulfilling. I realized later that service is about humility. It’s about understanding that you have an incredible opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life. The joy and gratification that come from service are far deeper and more lasting than any personal award.
Lastly, I learned to value the relationships and connections formed during these experiences. Serving others is not just about the work you do but also about the people you meet and the memories you create together. I’ve been to the Navajo Nation four times, and each time, I’ve met someone new or deepened my connection with those I had met before. Every year, seeing familiar faces light up when they recognize me brings a sense of fulfillment that’s hard to put into words. It’s a reminder that the impact you have on others—whether big or small—stays with them, just as it stays with you.
Memorable Experiences
There are several moments from my mission trips that stand out in my memory, but one of the most profound was meeting the founder of the reservation in the Navajo Nation. He was an elderly man, full of wisdom and stories about the community he had dedicated his life to. He shared with me his life’s journey, telling me about the challenges he had faced and the joys he had experienced along the way. As a token of gratitude, he gave me a small gift and a copy of his story. But what really struck me was when he mentioned that he didn’t have much time left—he had been diagnosed with cancer and wasn’t sure he would live to see another year. Sadly, he passed away before I returned the following year, but his story and his spirit have stayed with me ever since.
Another memorable experience was the sense of teamwork that developed within the work crews. Each day, we tackled different jobs—everything from cleaning a cattle guard to digging drainage systems and assembling gift baskets for the elderly. The work was physically demanding, but the bonds we formed while working side by side made it all worth it. One particular job I remember was digging trenches for a drainage system outside a family’s home. It required hours of hard labor, digging 7-15 foot long trenches about two feet deep. Despite the exhaustion, knowing that our work would improve the family’s living conditions made every effort worth it.
Through these experiences, I’ve learned that mission trips aren’t just about the tasks you complete. They’re about growth, connection, and leaving a lasting impact on both yourself and the people you serve. Each trip has deepened my faith, strengthened my character, and left me with memories that will stay with me forever.