Hello everyone it's Christina. Well what can I say, except that this mission trip was definitely a life changing experience. So let me just start from the beginning.
Before we even left for Trinidad I had this feeling that I just knew I was going to love it there. I was worried about the heat, but that was about it. I love all kinds of food and I don't get home sick easily, so I knew those things were not going to be a problem. Well the first night we got there we all just felt so comfortable right away. I felt bad for Sister Julie and her husband because the first night we were in the van on our way to the house we were all singing very loud and obnoxiously like we always do. They probably were thinking "oh my goodness who are these people". But I think they enjoyed that we were all so close and just loved being with each other.
When we went to the orphanage it was just great. Natalie and I were in charge of organizing the clothes in one room and one of the girls that stayed in that room was not feeling well that day so she was there while we were cleaning, so we got to talk to her and spend time with her. After we were done cleaning I just wanted to keep doing more. We waited for the kids to get home from school and we played with them for a long time. The kids just took to us so quickly. As soon as you told them your name they didn't leave your side. I don't think any of us wanted to leave. One girl thought that I was Hannah Montana which was funny. I told her I wasn't so then she asked if I was sharpey from High School Musical.It was a very special day.
The next day we had our first performance on slanted blocks of wood. It was rough, but we did our best. And of the two seniors (Olivia and myself) had to twist our ankles, but we kept on dancing and made it through. We finished each show with the dance Free and I don't think there was ever a dry eye. With that dance you can always feel the presence of God.
I must say I think my favorite part of the trip was riding around in the van on the ridiculously bumpy roads just looking at all the beautiful scenery with the wind blowing in our face,and when it would rain and we got that cool breeze through the car nothing else seemed to matter. About half way through the trip I realized I could stay there forever, and that this is what I want to do. It was very scary because I have always had the plan of going to OCU and then auditioning for the Rockettes and there I was in Trinidad thinking of how I could live there. I started freaking out and just had to start praying asking God what I'm supposed to do. I just loved being there dancing for God everyday and feeling his presence at each performance, and I realized that I did not want to lose the relationship that I had developed with God. I have never felt so close to God in my life. Finally we had some share time at the end of the week and I just broke down and told everyone what I was feeling, of how I wasn't sure if I want to go to college right away or take a year off and do mission work. All of the chaperones gave me some encouraging words but I'm still very confused about what to do. I was even more scared how I was going to break the news to my parents. The evening we got back I broke the news to them and they were surprised but not really. My mom said she knew I was going come back changed. They are being very supportive, which is great, but doesn't really help me in deciding what to do. I'm just trying really hard to listen to God and go where he wants me to go.
As you can see this trip was a life changing experience for me and I am so glad I got to go. Each day I miss it more and more, but I know that I will be going back whether it's this year or in a few years. I could tell you all so much more, but I think this covers the basics so if you have any questions I would love answer them.
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