Mexico Trip

One of the most important events in my life thus far has been the mission trip I took to Juarez, Mexico last summer.  I have filled out several applications to various colleges in the Southeast, but none of these offered me the opportunity to share about this experience.  I traveled to Juarez in July of 2009 with an assorted group of fifteen other high school students and adults.  We spent five days in the country working for a volunteer organization, Casas por Christo.  This particular affiliation was and is still renowned in the area for their volunteer work.  Their popularity and depth of appreciation among the Mexican citizens was obvious, even to an outsider with only a limited understanding of the Spanish language.

     Casas por Christo assigned two trained volunteers to lead us in the construction of a basic three-room house.  Our group worked long days in the sweltering sun, but we actually managed to complete the project with a day to spare.  I grew very close to the members of our church during this experience, but I formed very powerful bonds with some local families as well.  I was one of the few members of our group who could speak any Spanish, so I quickly made friends with the local children.  These kids were extremely playful, and their cheerfulness was astounding for people in their position.  I learned much from simply observing the actions of these innocent children.

     This experience undoubtedly taught me to be more appreciative of everything that I have.  I realized for the first time how many things in life I take for granted daily.  The closing ceremony was probably the most touching part of the trip.  Our group presented the house keys and a new Bible to the family, and these simple gifts had an astounding effect on the mother of the family.  The memory of her tearful exclamations of gratitude will stay with me for the rest of my life.  I have learned to make the most of everything that God has blessed my life with. I constantly strive to utilize my intelligence by learning as much as possible, and I promise that my work ethic and academic pursuits can not be matched as a result. This event was and still remains one of the most important moments in my spiritual and academic growth.