Close your eyes and think. Think about whom it was that first suggested you try community service or a mission trip. Can you recall that person? For me that person was my aunt. She not only influenced me to go to soup kitchens, but she also introduced me to the concept of faith and religion. Unfortunately I didn't think much about these two concepts until later in life. In middle school I became an active participant of my churches youth program, I went to youth group, bible study and church weekly. I was living the "Christian" lifestyle. The unfortunate thing was that I never accepted Christ into my life, I was a fake. You know when you're calling yourself a fake that things need to change. When I was a freshman in high school I got that change I had been looking for. My church welcomed in a new youth pastor and with his fresh approach to youth ministry I got the chance to participate in my first ever mission trip. I spent a week in Bluefield, West Virginia and I spent my time working on repairing local homes. Amongst the chipped paint, rotting decks and splinters I found myself and more importantly I found God. The night before heading home I became overwhelmed during our groups prayer session. My youth pastor washed my feet as he prayed over me and I could tell God was present in that room and it felt as if he was the one washing my feet. He was the one washing away the dirt and the sin that filled me and that night my youth pastor helped me truly accept the Lord into my life. After I accepted the Lord into my heart, the song  came into my mind; the words echoed throughout me and I knew the words were for me that night. The chains that held me down as a fake Christian were released; I will never be that person again. Whenever I hear that song, a feeling of appreciation and hope and love comes over me. Not only did I have my aunt and my youth pastor to thank for who I have become and who I will be in the future, I now also had God to thank. I was God's child and with that came responsibilities. It was my task to serve the Lord and to give to his people what he gave to me; hope faith and love. Since that mission trip I have been on quite a few others and have loved every minute of it. I have been able to give back to others, repair homes and travel as well as help individuals find Christ among the hardships in their lives. I have done so much already but I know that my work is not done. I can not wait for the future that God has in store for me. Only time and the grace of God can tell what that future will bring.

Dios te bendiga,

Erica