Taking a leap of faith is exactly how I can describe my decision to go on this mission trip to El Salvador. I did not know all the details, nor did I know who would be attending this trip. I had no idea the number of people that were supposed to be coming, nor if any students were signed up. When the team leader, Bill, came to my medical school to talk to us about the trip, I felt a strong push from God to go.
No matter the number of times that I tried to talk myself out of going, and asking God how I was going to find $2500 to fund the trip, He was patient with me and kept reassuring me that it was already handled. At this point, school had been getting the best of me, and taking up all my time. I had not spent much quiet time with God lately, and it had been 2 weeks since I had been to church because I was trying to catch up on studying. As a way to help decrease the distance that I had been actively putting between God and I, I decided to take the leap and sign up for the trip.
Although this was not my first mission trip, my time in El Salvador made an impact on my life nonetheless. We were prayed with every patient, and provided free health services for all who came to the clinic. Being able to firsthand witness how on fire most of the patients were for God, was truly touching, and helped me to want to get my faith to where theirs was. Additionally, being able to witness the faith of my team members was amazing. Some of our team members gave devotionals, testimonies, and stories about how God was working in their lives, and it was extremely encouraging. During this trip, I knew that God was working in my life as well and purposely stretching me. I leaned on Him more and more, and realized that the way that I am dependent on Him in El Salvador should not change when I get back to the U.S.
Now that I have returned, I understand why it was so vital to my growth as a Christian believer. The trip not only continued to confirm my desire to serve the underserved abroad, but it also provided me with the skills and confidence to pray with my patients as a future physician. Moreover, the trip encouraged me to get plugged into a church in Atlanta. I was currently attending one not too far from my apartment, but my friend invited me to come to her church, and I ended up loving it. I felt much more comfortable at this church, and the church had a large population of medical professionals and students, which was awesome. All in all, the trip genuinely had a positive impact on my life and I am forever grateful for the opportunity.
