A Story Of Impact From The Mission Field
While the call to serve as a full-time missionary overseas is a unique and lifelong
commitment, not everyone is led down that path. Yet the Great Commission invites
all of us to take part in spreading the Gospel to the nations. One powerful way
to do this is through short-term mission trips, where everyday believers can step
into another culture, share God’s love in practical ways, and return home with a
renewed vision for His work around the world.
If you had told me at the beginning of
2025 that I would become a “missionary”
and embark on a mission trip, I would have
said you were out of your mind; I don’t
have time for that. I have the demands
of a typical life - I’m busy, married with
three kids, and work full-time at a timeconsuming
job in medicine.
But one day, something changed. I am
not sure how or why, but I believe it
was God’s plan all along. I
called the Missions office
and inquired about a
mission trip at Second. To
my surprise, everything fell
into place and there were
no more obstacles. My kids
were grown; I was approved
for the time off from work
instantly; and there were
no financial hurdles. This
opportunity was mine for
the taking.
I signed up for the trip, but
the uncertainty remained. I
wondered what the living
situation and food would be like, whether
I would get sick on the trip, and, most
importantly, what exactly I would do once
I got there.
When I landed in Guatemala, I was
pleasantly surprised by the slower pace of
life. It differed vastly from the fast-paced
workplace I was used to. The scenery
was breathtaking, with mountains and
volcanoes stretching out as far as the eye
could see, creating a serene backdrop.
While any vacation can offer these
panoramic views, the experience of a
mission trip transcends a typical vacation.
As I immersed myself in the culture, I
forged genuine connections with the
locals by engaging in conversations and
visiting them in their homes, where I
prayed alongside them.
I witnessed transformational
changes as I shared the gift of
God’s grace and salvation through
faith in Jesus Christ and how the
Gospel carries the good news
of God’s boundless love for us.
Some people listened with a profound sense of introspection, as if contemplating the depth of their own lives, while others were overwhelmed with emotion and began sobbing. I knew the presence of the Holy Spirit was among us.
However, I also discovered a change within me. I was beginning to slowly overcome my own shyness of praying in public. I was becoming more willing and able to share the Gospel and my belief in Christ, without being intimidated or afraid of offending others.
These experiences marked profound shifts in my spiritual journey that continued long after my time in Guatemala.
I am so fortunate in my lifetime to have the experience of what so few people get to experience, and that is to fulfill what Jesus Christ had commissioned us to do, as spoken in Acts 1:8 , “to go out into the world as witnesses to the ends of the earth”.
While going on a mission trip was undoubtedly an investment in others, it also unexpectedly became an investment in myself.
Lastly, I have formed new friendships with those who accompanied me on the trip. We now have friendships and memories that will last a lifetime. A transformative journey, indeed!
I went on the mission trip to Guatemala to change others; however, I left Guatemala changed.