Student Ministry Blog

July 17-22, 8 high school students and 3 adults mentored children in Ft. Worth, TX at an organization called Fortress Youth Development Center. Our experience exceeded any of our expectations. The children we mentored got into our hearts and we are impacted as much, if not more so, than they. We left changed people. We discovered a lot about ourselves, our God, and others. Below is one student’s reflection of her experience. Thanks to Hayley Murphy for taking time to reflect on what this mission experience has meant to her.

“This weeklong trip was an emotional journey for me, but well
worth it. I was reminded of things I was taught as a child. Like how someone
always has it worse than you, or there are bigger problems at hand. The thing
is, that never really sunk in until this trip because I actually experienced
the problems and saw with my own eyes what is really happening in the world.

This week was about those things happening  that we didn’t realize truly existed. I was
given the chance to mentor three young girls – Chassidy, Clara and Lilly.
Mentor is such a grown up word that we decided to be called their buddies. I
stuck with my girls all week and went with them from class to class. I got to
help them with math projects, reading and some other things. Lilly got to
squirt me with a water gun. Chassidy let me help her in chess club. Clara and I
played cards and other games together. So, all in all, I got my own time with
each one and see their own ideas and what was on their heart.

This trip has affected me personally because it made me
happy. There has been so much going on in my life this trip helped me forget it
all. I had a real smile on my face, and every day I wanted it to keep going. I’ve
always had a way with kids, but after being with these girls I’m that much
better now.”