It’s Better to Give
“You’ve heard the saying ‘It’s better to give than receive.’ When you’re on these trips, you really realize how much better it is to give.”– Tom Anderson
When Tom Anderson agreed to serve as an adult leader on this year’s youth mission trip, he didn’t know he would be called to leave his comfort zone. Sure, the theme of the trip was “Getting out of Your Comfort Zone,” but having been on seven trips with his daughter and son in the past, Tom was a mission trip veteran. He was at ease with everything from driving a 15-passenger van full of kids with a trailer in tow, to replacing a bathroom floor, to getting to know those he came to serve. But when Kelly Haase, Centennial’s senior high youth director and co-leader of the trip, asked him to sign up to lead the group’s devotions one night, he was hesitant. Standing up to speak in front of large groups isn’t really Tom’s thing. “How about I put you down for the last night, and if you don’t have something to share, I can do it,” Kelly offered. In the spirit of the trip’s theme, Tom agreed.
On Friday, June 24th, Tom and seven other adult leaders, along with trip leaders Jessica Mueller and Kelly, and 29 youths began their two-day, 1,050-mile trek to Jesse, WV. Partnering with New Life Church, a non-denominational church in Huntington, WV, groups of 6-7 youth and an adult leader spent the next four days tackling projects at 11 different poverty-stricken homes. The work included yard cleanup, repairing exterior siding, and other home improvement projects.
Besides providing labor, the group met needs of a different kind. Many of the residents served seemed to relish the opportunity to visit with the youth, share a story or a laugh, and hear about life in Minnesota. (The group even taught some West Virginians how to speak Minnesotan – you betcha!)
On Sunday, the group attended a Sunday worship service at New Life Church. The service focused on sharing God’s love through random acts of kindness. During the message, the pastor passed out “Crazy Love” cards, which are to be left with the recipient of a random act of kindness and passed on through another kind act. Tom was inspired. Although he always tries to do something special for one of the residents he meets on the trips, he took it a step further. With cards in hand, he did “crazy” things like picking up a stranger’s tab at McDonald’s, buying a fridge for a resident who didn’t have one, and packing up leftovers at dinner to take to someone who didn’t have dinner.
Despite his initial reservations, Tom found himself looking forward to his night to give the devotion. Sharing his experience with the group was another way he could give. Like other times of giving, it brought him great joy – even though it was outside of his comfort zone.
Learn more about “Crazy Love” at crazylovevw.wordpress.com.
Interested in getting outside of your comfort zone on a youth mission trip? Contact Kelly Haase at khaase@centennialumc.org or (651) 633-7644.