Reflections on the
Youth Mission Trip to
Jackson-Feild Home for Girls

by Kaitlyn Ahrweiler
October 2011

I believe everybody was born with a special gift from God. I think the people that participated in the mission trip to The Jackson-Feild Home for Girls were all born with the gift to help others and put smiles on their faces. There is nothing like planting 800 pansies and watching girls start to smile. The beauty that you see there in the nature, in the people, in God, was so beautiful words can't describe it.

It started with a long car ride and long laughs with the mannequins in the closet. Next thing we know, we are playing Apples to Apples and mentally preparing ourselves for the next day. We woke up Saturday with butterflies in our tummies. At 10:00 a.m., we began our long day. We planted everywhere there was a fresh patch of soil. Sometimes we saw girls, sometimes we didn't. The dogs tagged along, and Charlie the beagle mix always expected a belly rub!

We made funny jokes to pass the time, and by the end of the day, we were covered in dirt. But it was worth it. The sun was shining, the clouds were fluffy, the breeze felt good, and the weather was in the high 60s. It felt like forever. When we were done, we went out for dinner to celebrate our hard work. We all knew that the girls were going to be proud and happy.

Sunday, after church, we left with a feeling of accomplishment. Every inch of our bodies was sore. But we felt good. I liked knowing that these girls that have sad, terrible lives had something to smile about.