More Than a Mission
Can you imagine a life without all of
your possessions? How about trying to get through the day without a computer?
Or not having a closet full of clothes at your disposal to pick and choose
clothes to wear for the day? Can you imagine living without your cell phone or
even running water? In this world there are many people who do not have such
amenities and privileges. I got to experience this kind of lifestyle while on a
mission trip to Ecuador. My mission trip was a huge change in my life, one that
I would like to share with others and have others experience because they too
can change their lives for the better.
Before I spent the summer of my sophomore
year in Ecuador I took all that I had for granted. I never once thought of
other people halfway around the world, or people in my own neighborhood, having
much less than me and struggling to put food on the table or not having enough
clean clothes and a safe place to sleep. I didn’t
know that nearly half of the world lives on less than $2.50 a day. You
always hear of people talking about the hardships of third world countries but
the reality of their poverty doesn’t fully hit you until you have experienced
first hand what it is like to live with next to nothing. In Ecuador the homes
of the locals would barley be classified as a shed by our American standards.
Most people had dirt floors in their one or two bedroom homes, camping style
cooking facilities, and if they were lucky, a working toilet. What amazed me
was that this was how they lived, everyday. This insubstantial lifestyle was
all these people had ever known and yet they were completely content with their
lives.
I saw my life differently when I returned
home from my mission trip. I became more independent and outgoing, and more
appreciative of what I have. I now cherish warm showers, running water, and a
clean comfortable place to sleep and work. I never look at material things the
same way again. The first time I stepped into my bedroom after returning home,
I was sickened by all the stuff I had accumulated. I gave away bags and bags of
clothes, hygiene products and other necessities after returning home. I went to
Ecuador to change the lives of others, but it ended up changing me as well.
Ecuador and its people were the only thing I could think of
and after such a big change in my life, I had to tell everyone. I talked about
my trip for months after I got back. For most people, I described what I did
while I was there and told many stories from my time there. Many people were
very curious and excited to hear what I had to say, which is something I am not
normally used to. My family especially, were hung on my every word and asked
many questions about what it was like and how I felt coming home. My family saw
the change that took place in me after I had returned home which sparked even
more discussions. However, when I tried to talk to my friends about Ecuador and
the things I had seen, there was some interest but they weren’t fixed on my
every word like my family was. My friends were glad I was home and were
somewhat curious as to how I liked it but many failed to see exactly how much
my trip had impacted me. They just didn’t have as much of an interest as my
family.
I feel that everyone needs this kind of exposure to the world
and needs to see things through the eyes of those who are less fortunate than
they. I tried to express this to my friends and family but the feelings and
adventures of Ecuador are nearly impossible to completely describe in order to truly
grasp the impact they can have. One
thing that will always stick with me was the look of gratitude and thanks on
the faces of the people whose lives we had touched. I remember specifically the
look on the face of a small child who I had just given a soccer ball to which
was priceless and indescribable. We also ended up helping a young family that
was just starting off by giving them enough rice and beans to last them for
weeks. After seeing the looks and the people’s faces you can’t shake the
feelings of gratification and humbleness. I also
never thought I would feel guilty for getting dressed in the morning. Everyday
for the two weeks in Ecuador I would put on a fresh shirt and pants and would
go out to see the locals in the same clothes they had worn the past 5 days.
They simply didn’t have enough. Everyone
needs to view things like this first hand. You
begin to not only improve yourself but also, you try to improve the world and
make it a better place for others.
By helping others who are less fortunate than you, you are
giving yourself a chance to picture life differently. It allows you to
re-evaluate priorities and your overall thoughts on life. Instead of “needing”
the newest pair of Nike’s when you already have 5 other pairs, you may decide
that the shoes aren’t all that important or that they are really a true
necessity. Many people confuse wants and needs, myself included. This is why my
mission trip was so eye-opening for me. I don’t feel like I need as many things
after seeing people living contently with so little. I don’t go out and buy new
clothes or the latest electronics because I know that I really do not need
them. I don’t need a closet stuffed with clothes that I may wear maybe twice a
year and I definitely don’t need a phone that can fly, they have perfected that
right?
There are many useless things that people are willing to pay
large sums of money for when people in other parts of the world have never even
touched a computer or cannot fathom the use of a cell phone. It goes the same
way as well; it is hard for many people to contemplate a household without a
television. For me, this is an instance where people are blind to their “needs”
and wants. If they were to use the money they would have used to buy
unnecessary items and used them for the good of others, many people’s lives
could improve significantly. But where do we draw the line at what is or is not
unnecessary? In our society a computer or a smart phone is a necessity for most
jobs or everyday life. However, in a third world society, things like computers
and cell phones may not be available because they simply aren’t required for
daily life.
Through my experiences in Ecuador I was able to change the way
I lived and make myself, and hopefully the world, better for people to live. We
all may not have everything we want but that doesn’t mean we all can’t live in
comfort and security. I wish all people can realize how easy their lives are
when compared to others, and that is what Ecuador showed me. No matter how
awful my day is here in the States, I still have better living conditions and a
better lifestyle than many unfortunate people across the globe. I hope that
people are inspired by myself to reach out to their neighbors and fellow human
beings.
Not everyone can travel to another country to help the needy
but there is always something that can be done for those less fortunate than us,
even in your own community. The homeless count in America is 646, 917 people
or.21 percent and in the state of Kentucky there are 6,623 people at a rate of
.11 percent. There are many volunteer opportunities both locally and world wide
that will help others get involved in the conflicts and life struggles of
others. Many communities have local soup kitchens and homeless shelters that
are always in need of volunteers to help. There are also many safe houses,
charity organizations, and even religious institutions that need assistance in
order to help the needy. Everyone has a skill or resource that they can use for
the benefit of others. Like to build? There are plenty of opportunities for
those who like to work with their hands to go out and build. Join a Habitat for
Humanity group and help build a house for a family in need. Want to travel?
There are also many organizations that go around the United States and even
outside of the country to help others. The organization I participated with is
called Maranatha Volunteers International; they specialize in worldwide
missions and evangelism through community service. There are plenty of
possibilities out there for people who want to help; you don’t have to look
very far. When we choose to help others the world starts to change for the
benefit of all. When you get out into the world and make a difference you are not
only helping others but you are also be helping yourself.
Works Cited
1.
Anup Shah. “Poverty
Facts and Stats”. Global Issues Social, Political, Economic, and Environmental
Issues that Affect Us All. Inter Press Service International News Agency,
September 20, 2010. Web. Oct 18, 2012
2. n.p. State Health Facts. Henry J. Kaiser
Family Foundation, January 2012. Oct 28, 2012
No comments:
Post a Comment