Julia Fancher, Missionary

In the stories you hear about the Urban Mission Trip, you will probably hear all the big events, because we tend to think about those as the most important. But I disagree. While they may have created a big impact, the true soul of the mission was found in the little moments that we often overlook. For me, the heart of the mission trip was little Chaz pretending to spin in a hula hoop, meeting Antwon, who wanted supplies for his sister’s newly born twins, playing “intuition”, finding pennies on the bottom of the pool, feeling the cool metal of the ladder dig into your legs as you reached to paint the last little bit of crown molding. It was cracking dozens of eggs, falling asleep to Disney movies on the television, listening to everyone scream themselves hoarse while playing foosball, and finally sorting that huge pile of clothing.

Unlike some of the people on the trip, there wasn’t a huge moment of change for me; I didn’t feel something all at once. Instead, the mission trip worked its magic on me gradually. I didn’t notice at first, but when we came back, I was different. I’ve seen God working in the lives of so many different people, who have all gone through a great deal of hardship. Yet they still have their faith, and are so open and happy towards everyone they meet. The lessons they taught all of us will stay with me. I owe them a huge debt for showing me how to open my heart, just as they did to me, a complete stranger. These people, these moments, added up to something incredibly powerful that motivates me to make a change in our world. I will always remember this trip, and I hope I will have the chance to go on many more.

—Julia Fancher, Missionary