As a collegiate athlete with a double major (EHS/Education) and juggling the preparation for this trip, things are very stressful and hard. Not many people understand how much work goes into planning a trip like this and being your own person who wants to enjoy college as much as he/she can. Having been on plenty of mission trips in the last eight years of my life, I've seen multiple ways of preparation, but none like the way we are preparing for Opelousas.
Each week, all of us come together for a meeting. As we sit and chatter about our weeks so far and sharing things, we have and need to accomplish, not once did it cross my mind that while sitting around and chatting with one another, we are building some really good friendships with each other. I have never been on a team where everyone got along. I know that is sad to say, but it does happen, and I always feared that every time I’m on a mission team. I love my team and the way we all have built great friendships with each other prior to the departure of this trip. We all have our quirkiness and make fun of each other, but I feel like a family when I’m with the team. I feel that the most important thing before going on a mission trip is to have your team feel like a family and always encouraging you. This team that is heading to Opelousas in a week is that.
All the preparation that has been put into this trip has been all done by God. Without God in the very center of this, we could not have done anything. For Loren and Kristina, who are our contacts in Opelousas, everything they have done to get us down there to serve their community that they live has all been done by God. As we sit in the silence of Matty’s apartment praying to the Lord for him to do a mighty work in the lives of the people in Opelousas and for him to prepare our hearts, I feel like there is nothing more to do but to spend my time in a way that is pleasing to the Lord.
I can hear the voices of children in my ears and seeing them running around, hugging each team member and it makes me realize that God has a special plan for each child, but it is up to us to teach and lead them in a way to follow the Lord. Children are one of the most precious gift one can ever imagine. To see the precious smile on a child’s face makes me smile from ear to ear, and I know it puts a BIG SMILE on God’s face.
With the last minute preparation, mid-terms, hanging out with the ones you can call a friend; one week will end before you know it. As I have shared everything that goes into being part of this trip from my perspective; do take the time to sit and reflect on a time that God has done something incredible in your life that put a smile on his face. It can be little or big. Do pray for everyone who is part of this team plus Loren, Kristina, and the many others that will be a part of this wonderful experience.
Much Love,Marly [Opelousas team member]
