Why a Mission Trip?

I am excited to share all the details of what I’ll be doing, where I will be staying, and what life looks like on a mission, but first let me tell you why I decided to take a gap year and spend my first three months out of high school in Liberia.

I have always loved traveling–I have been to many countries from Canada to Lichtenstein–and I feel called to serve as a result of mission trips I’ve taken while in high school. Also, I’ve gone with my church to El Salvador and to the border at El Paso, Texas and Juarez, Mexico, and I’ve known missionaries that have spent years overseas.

I’m inspired to do the same thing.

Mixing my love of travel with the inspiration of others’ experiences was too hard to pass up, so I decided to take a gap year and go on a mission trip. I will be going to Franciscan Works Mission in Liberia. I first heard about the work being done in Liberia two years ago when a family from my church moved there to work as mission administrators.

Franciscan Works is an orphanage with approximately 35 kids and a school with an enrollment around 400 more. The compound includes a school, dorms, kitchen, and a piggery. I am looking forward to immersing myself in the culture and serving as an extra set of helping hands.

I’m looking forward to sharing my journey with my congregation, those who supported me, anyone who might be inspired to do the same thing one day, and everyone else!