Madeline Manczka, Missionary

This summer, I was blessed to be one of the missionaries chosen to go on the SSJP mission trip to Costa Rica with Soles4Souls. Personally, the trip was extremely impactful, inspiring, & eye-opening because we got to experience God’s love firsthand. We met so many amazing, unforgettable people who have left deep imprints on my heart. 

I remember one little girl, Aslied (I hope I spelled her name correctly), whose feet  I was washing & fitting with Emma. Aslied kept trying to communicate with us; she talked and talked, trying to get us to understand her. We understood a little bit of it, but not enough that we could comprehend what she wanted. So, Father Jay translated for us, and I was certainly surprised to learn that she had been talking about how she liked my hair (it was in braids) and how she wanted me to do her hair! I’m not any good at braiding, though, so I went and found Elizabeth, since she had been the one who had done my hair. Elizabeth braided Aslied’s hair and used two pink hair ties to hold the braids in place. Emma took a picture of Aslied’s hair to show to her, and Aslied’s face lit up with joy. Her eyes gleamed with delight and she had the biggest smile on her face. Seeing her so gleeful, I had no choice but to smile myself. 

In that moment, I remember thinking, this was all worth it. This is what these trips are for. I think that moment really made me realize wat that trip was all about. Yes, the trip was about giving shoes to kids (and elderly people) in need, but mainly it’s about making those people smile. Because those smiles that are created and the joy that is experienced is, in the end, what makes it worth it. Undoubtedly, the love that was given and received on this trip was worth indefinitely more than any number of pairs of shoes. 

With love & gratitude, 
—Madeline Manczka, Missionary