Mission Work?

I just got back from a mission trip in Charleston over my spring break. It was a different one than what I'm used to. This year, the student ministry decided to participate in a World Changers trip. This was a construction trip: some crews were painting, some were roofing. I had been on a couple of construction trips before and really enjoyed them.

Before we left, I was eager to get the chance to roof. Originally, I was the only female signed up to be on a roofing crew. This excited me, not because I thought I'd be the only girl, but because I wouldn't have to put up with any girl drama that never ceases to exist, even on mission trips.

To my surprise, however, when we found out for sure what crew I was on, I discovered that the roofing crews were pretty much split half and half. It turned out to be great. We all worked well together. I loved my crew-Hammer Heads-and everyone on it: Carter, Matt, Logan, Bethany, Kevin (aka "Pretty Boy"), Andy, Zach, Matteson, Chaena, Justin, Josh, Mrs. Kathy (aka "Wonder Woman"), and Chris. There was no drama, at least not that I could tell.

The week went by so fast and my crew worked so well together. We even managed to finish a few hours ahead of schedule. I loved getting to use a nail gun and hammer and I even loved scorching my knees on the hot shingles as I cut through them with a hook blade. I loved being up on a roof and being able to see the progress that is made.

Every day, kids would ride their bikes up and down the street we were working on. I longed to just hang out with them and talk to them. As we were cleaning up on the last day, the little girl that lived in the house we worked on came out and wanted to play with us. This made my day. As much as I enjoyed learning to roof, I loved the few minutes when the little girl, Brittain, came out to play with us. She had quite the attitude and was a bossy little thing, but she stole my heart. I loved seeing her smile and run around the yard and watching her tell the guys what to do.

I've known that God has called me to missions for quite some time now, but He made it even clearer this past week. The joy that took over my heart when Brittain came out to play with us is indescribable.

I still believe that God has called me to missions, but now I believe that He has called me to some kind of mission work where I can be around kids all the time. Of all the mission trips I have been on where I have the chance to work with children and other opportunities where I have gotten to play with kids, I have not forgotten a single smile.

I still remember my last day in Barbados, last summer, Courtney, one of the wonderful girls I had gotten to talk to. She was bald and she had wanted a strand of my hair. Thinking it was a little strange, I had raked my fingers through my hair to get all the loose strands. "I put in my diary and remember you-Sam-forever and ever. I never forget you" Courtney had said in her Bajan accent as she gave me a hug and sauntered off.

And little Aiden, in Summerville, with his cute little three-year-old voice, "Baseball!" or "Slide!" or "Hold me!" or "Spin!" The last day in Summerville, Aiden would not let go of my hand at the end of the day. He didn't want to go home with his parents. He wanted to sit on my shoulders or have me spin him around. I didn't want to leave him either. I wanted to hear his laughter and see his adorable smile. I could go on and on about many children that have touched my heart.

I want to hear the innocent laughter of children as they race around a playground. I want to kiss skinned knees and bruised elbows. I want to hug the sad. I want to love the unloved. I want to care for the abused. I want to share the light of Jesus with them. I want to be able to listen to them tell me about Jesus. I want to clothe the poor. I want to feed the hungry. I want to listen to the hurting. I want to warm the cold.

Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed this construction mission trip. But my heart belongs to the children.

If I had to do it again, would I have agreed to go on this trip? Yes. Yes I would have. God has made His will for me even clearer this past week and I don't know if I would have heard Him as clearly if I hadn't gone. New friends, exciting experiences, and memorable moments were made during this seemingly very short week.