BROOKLYN’S MISSION TRIPS

BY: BROOKLYN WISHARD

Having the opportunity to go on a mission trip is a privilege. Thankfully, I have had the privilege to be sent on three mission trips. The only way this was possible is due to donors and God providing me with the things necessary for the trip. Along with God providing a way for me to travel across the world, He has provided me with experiences I will never forget. From Alaska, Hawaii, and Kenya, I have gained appreciation and knowledge for other cultures and serving others. Each trip I have gone on has come with different and unique experiences.

My sophomore year (2020-21) we were told that the mission trip being planned was for Alaska. At first, when the students heard this, we were shocked but also excited. There was a select small group of students who had been signed up and none of us had been to Alaska before. Many people were questioning what we would be doing to serve the community; honestly, all of us were questioning what we would be doing. Once we arrived in the coldest part of America, we were taken off guard by how many people actually needed the help of others. For this being my first mission trip, I’m sure I felt more of an impact from others but no one on that trip will ever forget how grateful the people of Alaska were for having us there to help them. While we were there we helped the homeless by organizing and setting-up a homeless closet, helped assist the homeless shelter, and also cooked and fed the homeless. Being on that trip and seeing the impact that we left on others had opened my eyes to the true character of God; we had been used to show Him to the community of Alaska. To me, this was one of the most impactful experiences of my life.

The next mission trip I was able to attend was during my junior year (2021-22). The school had tried to plan a trip to Kenya since it had been canceled in 2020 because of covid but those plans were not able to work out. Instead, the opportunity to travel and serve in Hawaii was made available for us. When they had officially decided to go there the students, obviously, were excited to go. However, many people questioned the mission work we would be doing. Personally, my family was primarily worried about whether or not our community would donate to the cause of sending me on this particular trip. Whenever we would tell people where the mission trip was they would laugh. We heard things such as, “That’s not a mission trip! That’s a vacation!” Going into the trip I was even questioning if we would be making an impact on others. Once the trip began and we soon were able to get to work, our group had begun to already hear praises. After working on cleaning disabled people’s homes, painting the entire outside of a school, and doing other miscellaneous tasks, we began to realize why we were there. The people in the communities we were working in would tell us that they were grateful that we had come because no one ever came to Hawaii to help them. Hawaii has been primarily seen as only a vacation destination but according to the locals, they still need help. This left a huge influence on me, being told that not only were they glad we came but that they had been waiting for help.

The last mission trip I took with Highland Academy as a student was in 2023. This year will be my last and I have been waiting to go to Kenya ever since I knew it was a possibility. I had heard many stories of what it was like and the impression it had left on others in the past. I was not sure how to prepare myself because it would be the first time I ever left the States. To say I was excited would be an understatement, but to say that I was not prepared for the amazing experience I had, would also be an understatement. The first thing I noticed was how the people were so welcoming and kind. They were willing to help you and tell you about their culture anytime you were curious (and even if you weren’t). I was able to meet the most sweet man, Samuel, while I was working on building showers for an all girls school. While talking and working with Samuel he told me about his life and the experiences he has had while in school and working.

I bonded with Samuel the first day I met him. I was able to work with him one more day and when he saw me he called me daughter. Not only did that warm my heart but it also showed me even more that the people in Kenya offered so much, even though they had very little. It was an amazing opportunity to go and provide the service of working and building but the most amazing and memorable part of Kenya was the people we met.

All the experiences I have been able to have while sharing God’s message and mission would not be possible without the support and generosity from the Seventh-Day Adventist community. There have been times where I was worried I would not be able to participate in the mission trip of the year but everytime I began to doubt, I would be told that I had gotten closer to my goal of fundraising. Not only have I been blessed with the generosity of funds but also, I have been blessed with the amount of prayer others have given me. It has always been a comfort to hear that people at home are praying and hoping that I am able to leave the best impression of God on others. God truly does answer prayers.

The thought of coming to Highland Academy from Connecticut, not to mention traveling halfway around the world for a mission trip, never crossed my mind two years ago.

It was in the spring of 2021 when a friend’s persistence led me to Highland Academy to enroll as a junior. It was time to make a change and try something different, but as someone that is shy, it took me a while to take the leap, change schools, and make new friends. Once at Highland, there was a genuine desire on the part of the staff and students to get to know me and be my support system. It made a difference, and because of that, I stayed. What attracted me most to Highland was not only the kindness and support of everyone, but the numerous programs and mission trips offered. As the year ended, I was worried that I would not be able to return due to finances and being so far from family. Both Highland and generous donors helped me with the finances to return. My family saw how happy I was, so I was able to stay