My First Mission Trip: West Virginia 2014
In late-July 2014, I was about to go into my senior year of high school. I still attended Cleveland First Baptist with my parents, and was a part of the media team. Our pastor, Rick Dill, had informed our CrossWalk youth group that we would be hosting some youth from a church in Weimar, Germany. Pastor Rick and his wife Nancy served in Germany as missionaries for over 25 years.

Things were about to change!
Kids Camp began on Monday! I had volunteered to serve alongside the German youth group. Throughout the week, I enjoyed learning about the German culture, tasting some wonderful German food, learning worship songs in German, and studying the Bible with the kids. On Monday, our youth pastor, Mark, asked me if I would consider going to West Virginia. I was like, “It’s kind of late for that. I don’t know if I could serve as well as other. Maybe another time.” Camp continued, with us taking the German youth group to experience a different part of Blount County afterwards. On Tuesday, Pastor Rick’s wife Nancy came up to me and said, “I wish you were going with us to West Virginia.” I replied, “Maybe next year.” Wednesday was a special day. There were lots of activities going on: it was my brother’s birthday (We did a surprise birthday party for him, which included a piñata. Watching the Germans go at the piñata for the first time in their lives was very interesting!), we were having a special blackout service for the both youth groups, and we were almost finished with German camp. After camp on Wednesday, Mark called me to his office and he told me that they had space for one more person to come on the trip. He told me to pray about it. I was very hesitant. What good would I be? I was in charge of putting together the blackout worship service. As I picked out the songs that would be played, I felt God say, “Trust me! Face your fears!” I went to the bank and took out all the money I had in my saving account and called Mark, telling him, “I’ll go!” Later that night, I announced to both youth groups that I would be joining them on the mission trip to West Virginia!

We safely returned to Alabama the following Saturday. We were sad to see our German friends leave, but I knew that God had brought them to us for a reason. I still am friends with all of them and love to communicate with them. (You watch a video of our mission trip HERE)
The mission trip to West Virginia in 2014 taught me so much. However, with all the senior year activities, and then college activities, I began to get further from God. In February 2016, I felt God lead me to attend one service at Gardendale First Baptist. I enjoyed it and went a few more times in 2016. In February 2017, I felt God saying, “I’m going to lead you here. Don’t question it. GO!” I was confused. I didn’t know anyone from GFBC. I loved serving on the media team at Cleveland! It was my home church. Although I miss the people at Cleveland, I am seeing God open doors for me that I never thought were possible! I started going to the college group, SUB25, and strengthening my relationship with God. This year, I have been a part of Serve Sunday (greeting people on Sunday mornings with my fellow college students), VBS, and recently, serving in the kid’s ministry. All these things are in front of the scenes! I see that same enthusiasm, same boldness, and same love for mission I had when I went to West Virginia. This time, I plan of sticking with that enthusiasm and boldness. I have a wonderful college pastor and LifeGroup who I know will hold me accountable. I WANT to go not just across the street, but around the world and tell others what God has done for me! I PRAY that God would open doors, like I know He does and will! I will surrender my dreams and goals to follow wherever He leads! People need God! I can’t imagine doing life without Him! I don't know what the future holds, but I know the One who holds it.
If I had one verse that describes my experience with God in West Virginia, it would be 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound Judgement.”
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