This past week helping the migrant workers of the eastern shore has greatly impacted me. It has helped me put my life into perspective and has reminded me how thankful I am for the wonderful life I have. It has also been a great honor being able to help them. I personally loved being able to supply them with some things that they cannot. I was able to see how grateful they were for everything we were doing, even if there was no way for them to show us. Overall, the trip has reminded me about how much i have to be grateful I have, and that happiness doesn't always come from the amount of things you have. I saw so much happiness among them, even though they basically had nothing, but at least they had each other.
-Tripp U.
The time I spent on the Eastern shore helping migrant farm workers was a great experience. It reminded me of what it is like to live with less. My heart was opened up and I understood more deeply how Jesus connects us to the Lord and each other. -Max F.
The eastern shore mission trip was an amazing experience. We had the opportunity to visit the migrant camps and spend time with some of the kids. It was inspiring to see how happy they are considering how little they have. It was especially rewarding to reconnect with several of the kids we met on the mission trip last year and play with them again. -Margot D.
This mission trip to the eastern shore truly helped me to see how close poverty is to my home in Virginia beach. I really enjoyed picking potatoes in the field because it allowed me to experience the work that the migrants do, and I couldn't believe that they only get paid pennies to do that hard work every day. My favorite part of the trip was throwing the block party for the children and their mothers. It was fun interacting with the kids and seeing the joy on their faces when we brought out the food, toys, and games for them. Even though most of the people we met did not speak English well, it was a humbling and satisfying experience to see their expressions of appreciation and gratitude and to fulfill the work of God as a missionary. -Breanna C.
Working in the fields picking potatoes really opened my eyes to who far a family would go to provide for their family even though they don't make much money at all. They seemed very grateful for our donations and the kids seemed to have lived their toys. The block party was lots of fun and it seemed we were all bonding with the children. They loved playing games with us and it really opened my eyes to how much they don't have. -Davis C.
This was my second time going on this mission trip. I went last year and I really liked the experience. We did a lot of different things this time around though so I think that made this time even more fun. My favorite thing that we did on this trip has to be the block party. It was so nice to be able to bring all these items and food for the people there. The kids seemed to love it. There would always be someone who would walk up to you and ask if you want to play. They also were very interested in what we had on our bus and all the toys that were there. Although these people did not live in any expensive homes or drove luxury cars, they still found a way to be happy with what they have and enjoy their live and I think that's what i learned from this trip. -Adam M.
I was confirmed in May of this year. Confirmation was a kind of turning point for me even though I didn't know how much at the time. My sponsor encouraged me to do something I had never done before and I did it. I attended the Steubenville youth conference in Atlanta. When I got home from that trip, I knew I wanted to help people, not just talk about being a good person. I was looking forward to going on the Eastern Shore mission trip, I couldn't wait for the day we would leave and it finally arrived.
We did so many things, gleaned potatoes, played games with migrant children, had a cookout with the migrant families and slept on the floor of a trailer behind the church. I was able to help other people by paying attention to them and simply spending time with them. We did do work but, I realized that just by being there, present with the people and making them smile was the more important work. I went to the Eastern Shore not expecting any reward or payment but I got both from the people I met there. I was rewarded by their happiness and smiles! I definitely saw God in each person there and in the people I travelled with! -James Powers