Weekly Reflection, Sunday, August 5, 2018
By: Jack Deutsch, a rising senior
It was the summer of 2017, a mission trip to the Rosebud reservation completely altered my view on society. Upon arriving at the reservation, we immediately saw the differences between life at home and at the reservation. Decaying houses and neighborhoods of trailer homes littered the landscape of the reservation.
Throughout the next couple of days, my experiences with the kids during Vacation Bible School (VBS) allowed me to gain a new perspective on life. The kids were joyful and filled with energy like any other children in the world, even though they had to cope with hardships in their community. Because of VBS, I obtained a newfound appreciation for what I have been given.
This year, our mission trip took us to California where we worked in the L.A. regional food bank and with Habitat for Humanity. Matt told us before we left Richmond that our goal for the trip was to spread God’s love and discover what “God’s love” meant to us. After reflecting on these trips, I discovered that God’s love is people less fortunate than yourself expressing themselves – making new friends and gaining self-confidence. My experience with mission trips has transformed my perspective on service and has enabled me to share my blessings with others.
I have gained appreciation for the many opportunities I am given to make a difference in the world. Because of my experiences in South Dakota and California, I truly feel like I have been transformed and given a new perspective of society. I encourage everyone to spread God’s love and experience the spiritual beauty of a mission trip.