A "Life Change" is not something that just happens. Before returning to Venezuela, I took time to prepare myself spiritually. I believe that with the help of MVNU in preparing me and through careful listening to what God wanted for me to experience, I came into this with eyes wide open. On this trip, I learned several things from the Venezuelans and from the missionaries. By learning about them, and working with them in their environment, I feel that I have seen what it means to be a truly missional Christian at home and away. It is doing whatever you can, for anyone you can, with whatever you can...anywhere. Sometimes it takes an irregular experience like a short-term mission trip to open your eyes, but that is only the beginning of their purpose. Amen!
  ~ Adam Jackman – Venezuela ‘07



I know that I have been called to the mission field and have felt that way for a long time. My major was decided around this call and during our trip to Germany, I realized the need for bilingual teachers. It was difficult to not be able to communicate and understand the students that we interacted with. I can only imagine what students face when they are in classrooms that do not speak their language. I want to help bridge that gap in schools around the world. I'm not exactly sure where the Lord has called me to serve, but I know that I would like to teach in an ESL setting because of this trip.
  ~ Courtney Cheek – Germany ‘07


How can I sum up in a few short sentences what happened to me during my Spring Break? It was my first mission experience, and my first time out of the country, and I really had no idea what I was getting myself into. I had seen a ton of peers go through these trips and was wondering what God had in store for me.

Before this trip, the phrase "life changing" would just have been one that I associated with posters of MVNU students smiling and waving... not with any particular experience in my life. But after this trip, it really has taken on a different meaning. Coming back from Juarez, Mexico, I was not on a post-trip high that I expected to be. My eyes had been opened to the world's poverty, our consumerism as Americans, and how much I take for granted in my daily life.

But it'd be a shame if I realized all of these things and did nothing about them. I would say that the Mexico trip was truly life changing because I am planning to take what I've learned south of the border and apply it to my everyday actions. I'm trying to cut back on how much I consume; I'm trying to love every person around me unabashedly; I'm trying to learn what "evangelism" really is, and how I as a Christian should go about doing so; I'm trying to bring God's kingdom here to earth in any way possible; I'm trying to learn about immigration so I can understand more of my new brothers' and sisters' culture; I'm trying to understand what He wants His Church to look like. I haven't been able to stop thinking since we got back!

Down in Juarez, we had to opportunity of re-roofing the house of the Reyes family. You see pictures of poverty, and hear stories about it, but until you see it first-hand you don't know what it truly is. But these people were so hospitable that it put me to shame. How often have I opened my own door to people, sacrificing my "comfort" to share my life with others? Not very often. Their son, Alexis, actually invited me in the house to watch cartoons with him, and then offered me some of the chips he was eating. Looking at him holding out those chips seriously broke my heart in two; who am I? Who am I to take something from someone with so little, who is willing to give so much??

The picture of that family is going to be imprinted in my mind forever. The picture of their generosity and love and kindness will probably last even longer.

You know, this really is reducing my thoughts to writing, because I still haven't been able to process everything in my mind and these few short paragraphs don't really do the trip justice. I met amazing people in our group and in Mexico that have left a lasting imprint on me. I'm extremely thankful for the opportunity and can't wait for next year.
  ~ Stephanie Heayn – Mexico ‘07