Earlier this morning an email came in from a former Group Mission Trips attendee. His story exemplifies the faithfulness of God and His endless pursuit of our hearts. We wanted to share Trace’s story with you! So, keep reading…

“I am 42 years old now, married, and have 3 kids. I was listening to the radio when a commercial came on about the youth work camps. I went to one in 1997 or 88’, its been awhile. It was probably the most life changing and fun experience I have had. I went with my youth group from Indiana. We went to the Navajo Indian reservation in NW New Mexico. I did not want to go at first, I was an introvert, I stuttered so I did not like to meet new people or do new things away from the comforts of my normal everyday life. I was crying because I did not want to go but some how, I do not remember why but I went. My youth group of 6 people went. When we got there we were split up into groups with people from all over the U.S. We worked on 2 houses to weatherize them. I became a social butterfly, as my mom use to say. I had people in my group from Nebraska, Pennsylvania, and Boston. Such a wonderful group of kids we were. The part that changed my life was my group. I figured out that people did accept my stutter and they did not care that I had trouble talking. My group became friends and on the final day I got up in front of the whole crowd, over 500 people and spoke. I told them I really didn’t want to go because I was scared and didn’t want to put myself out there. From that point forward I wasn’t scared anymore, GOD brought me there to surround me with that group of youth– to show me who I was and to not be afraid of who GOD made me to be: Imperfect and stammering. The friends I made that week  I was pen pals with for years. After high school I would travel to see them because we grew so close that week and in our letters. Now, that I  have kids and my oldest is 14 , I want her to experience the awesome time that I had, although she is a strong young girl who knows who she is and has a great giving heart. I feel she would just be over flowing with joy and spirituality to meet kids from all over the U.S. like I did.” 

Thank you Trace for sharing how the Lord moved in your life during a Group Mission Trip!

If you’re thinking about a Missions Trip visit the Group Mission Trip (GMT) site here! There are several different missionaly minded events that your youth can participate in! Check them out!!

~Stephanie