Change: A Reflection from the Youth Mission Trip

Change

Tonight, as I lie down to sleep, my thoughts all have the commonality of change. I think my favorite part of the mission trip has actually been change.

One of our mission trip t-shirts, designed by our graduating seniors, had “Be the Change” above the logo. The logo includes a rainbow. To me, the rainbow is a symbol of change. When the storm clouds have moved on and the rain has stopped, the sun comes out and a rainbow is revealed. The sky has changed. That’s exactly where I saw God this week—in the change.

We started off with a wonderful itinerary. But there’s usually a change or two. This week it seemed like we had a change every day, sometimes small, and sometimes big changes. Our youth were sometimes disappointed, but God revealed what he had in store for us. It might have meant that we had to do a completely different service project. It might have meant that we just did that service project on a different day. But we always found what God wanted us to learn about in the change.

The people, communities, and organizations that we met are all working for change. They were welcoming and gracious, and eager to explain the change they were helping to create. We were certainly inspired to help continue that change in that community, in our communities, in our nation and in our world.

I watched our youth grow tremendously in their relationships. I saw encouragement, inclusion, love, laughter and tears. This might be a big change from what you might typically see with youth. Even though we had a larger group, they always checked in with each other, encouraged each other, helped each other; they were helping each other change.

On our final night, at our prayer around the cross, we joined our prayers, expressed in words and in silence. We laid our hands on shoulders as others knelt down to pray. We hugged our brothers and sisters as they cried. As I watched, prayed, cried, and hugged, I realized my prayers for the mission trip were answered. I prayed for each youth and caring adult leader. I prayed that we would see God through others, and that others would see Him through us. I prayed that we would connect through words, listening, service and care for and from each other. I prayed that our entire team would build a strong bond and connection, and to share that bond with others at home as well. I began to smile as I received such a blessing to witness these prayers being answered, these lives being changed.

The graduating seniors also spoke at the prayer around the cross. Through tears and gratitude, they expressed how our youth group helped them through good times and bad, even through change. They also expressed some sadness that this was their last mission trip. First, I wanted to give them a big mama hug. Second, I wanted to proclaim, “This is not your last mission trip. This is only the beginning! Be the change!” While this was their last high school mission trip, it certainly is not their last mission trip. I want to encourage them to seek out where God is leading them, seek out those mission trips throughout their adult lives, create mission teams and trips that God is calling them to do. Continue to be His hands and feet, continue to be the change! I will gladly join you, and know that I will be blessed beyond measure serving alongside you.

Written by Kristi Hoffmeyer

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for this wonderful mission team, for the talents you have given them, and for their hearts of service to others. Thank you for putting others along our path to see and learn what you are calling them to do. Please continue to bless them and their service, and bless those they serve. We ask that you bless us as we continue our service at home, in our communities, our nation, and world. Show us your will. We ask that you bless our relationships that we have built and the ones we are just starting to build. Thank you for our wonderful support team, family, friends, our church, our sponsors. Bless them as we share our stories and experiences with them. But most all, thank you for change! Amen.

2022 Youth Mission Trip Photos