There are always a thousand things you should be doing while you are young. Our elders are telling us all the time that we should be appreciating how we are physically able to do activities, and now that we are in college, the time to try new things is now. It can be stressful just thinking about how much we should be doing, like bungee jumping or traveling the world instead of binge watching Netflix, especially because it is not like we have money to be able to do outrageous activities anyway. After all, we are college kids and the stereotypes are true; we eat a lot of ramen and pizza. However, there comes a time where if we really want to make a difference and take advantage of these golden years, we have to go out and seek an opportunity rather than wait for it to come to us. These are the reasons why you should go on a mission trip while you are in the prime of your life.
You Will Meet Many New People
When you travel to a different country, you are bound to meet new people. Some of those people might change your life, or even become your best friend. Going on a mission trip enables you to connect with new people while helping out those who might be less fortunate than you. Some of the people you meet might also give you some valuable insight about what it is like to appreciate what you have.
You Will Get to Try New Things
Traveling to anywhere will bring new experiences that you otherwise would never have gotten the chance to try. Examples of this include eating food native to the place you are visiting, or doing something you would never do, like build a stove for an impoverished family. In addition to all this, you will be visiting places in the world you maybe would have never traveled to otherwise.
You Will Be Helping Those In Need
This should be your main goal when you are going on a mission trip. Many people try to make the mission trip about themselves, but that is selfish approach and it is best to put others before yourself. Your purpose for going on a mission trip is to help others and gain new insight to bring back home. Mission trips provide a great opportunity to really go out into the world, be in an environment that is not familiar to you, and meet people who are in a completely different situation than yourself. There might not be a whole lot of other times better than this in your life where you are able to leave home for a while and share a little bit of peace.
You Will Make Countless Memories That Will Last a Lifetime
There is something about traveling away from home that makes every experience even more special. The combination of the new people, experiences, and the impact you have made on others and yourself. You will undergo an inner change as well when you go out of your comfort zone and see life from another’s point of view.
You will never regret going on a mission trip. In fact, as soon as you get back home, you will be planning next year’s mission trip. It is so much different from a vacation because you are able to use your skills and abilities to help others. It is an unforgettable experience that you will never forget and you will have to look back on for years to come. Â
All photos courtesy of Jim Schulzetenberg