Trip of a lifetime

When you're a lifelong Navarre resident, traveling to a Third World country can be completely life-altering.

As a freshly out of high school teen, I was given an opportunity to join a small team of First City Church members to travel to Ecuador in South America and join in on their mission to help the children at the Hacienda of Hope. I've always wanted to travel and do missions for God's glory so when the chance arrived I jumped on it.

I was unsure of what to expect, but I kept my heart and mind wide open.

Arriving in Quito, Ecuador the stench of gasoline and cigarettes were prominent in the air. Watching the locals it became noticeable that there is a missing "middle class;" the crowds were a mix of vendors, beggars and the well-dressed wealthy individuals. A stark contrast from the environment I grew up in.

For more on this story see the Dec. 15 issue of Navarre Press or subscribe online.