Being a missionary is something you yourself must decide you want to do. One of the benefits of a mission trip is the positive feeling you get about service for God. The feel-good emotions are indescribable, beyond what you might have dreamed of before you left. Yes, the experience changes your life!

Steven, now a sophomore at Spencerville Adventist Academy in Silver Spring, Maryland, decided last spring to go on a mission trip to Belize, sponsored by Spencerville Church youth ministries. Belize is a tiny nation of approximately 291,500 people and 8,867 sq mi (22,966 km) in size. It is located just below Mexico, on the eastern coast of Central America.

While in Belize, Steven sang with Spencerville Adventist Academy’s Honors Choir, painted numerous things; churches, hospitals, schools (and sometimes people!), and helped along with 65 other youth volunteers on various projects. The trip lasted for 12 days over the spring break.

In a recent interview with Steven, I asked him to share his mission experience with our readers.

Meagan: What did the trip do for your spiritual life?

Steven: It got me a lot closer to God. I could see Him there more easily than I could here and I was able to see how He works. It made me want to get baptized. It also encouraged me to come back and change the way things are here.

Meagan: What did you do there in Belize?

Steven: I painted, I ate the best bread in the world, I talked with kids, and I did puppetry.

Meagan: What are some of the things that made the trip enjoyable for you?

Steven: All of the little kids, going on day trips, and PAINTING!!!

Meagan: How did you feel when you got home?

Steven:

Meagan: Would you ever go back?

Steven: YES! I want to live there.

Meagan: Would you ever be a student missionary?

Steven: Sure, I’m thinking of doing it in college, but I don’t know where I want to go.

P.S. Steven went back to Belize in March. He was excited to again serve God and work with the kids of Belize.