I have been going to church my entire life, and I have never really known what it is like to live without some sort of "faith." Like everyone I have had my struggles, and I have had to figure out my beliefs for myself. I have been to several church camps, but it was one about three years ago that set my heart on fire for missions. It was not a "feel good" camp, but more of a reality check in which they really pressed upon us how hungry the world is for the hope we, as Christians, have in Jesus Christ. I committed my life to missions at the camp. Following that trip, I was able to go to New Orleans, Louisiana for a week following Hurricane Katrina. I was able to see how much of a witness we can be by first meeting physical needs and through building relationships with people. I still tell people I "left" my heart in New Orleans on that trip. The following summer I spent a week in Cancun, Mexico. Mexico had a huge impact on me because I was truly able to see how blessed I was with my faith and life. We went to a part of town called  Las Pincas  and I will never forget that place or the things I saw. People did not have homes, running water, and other things we would call necessities. Local churches were partnering with American churches and building wells and bringing the message of Jesus to these people. But for those people, the things they did not have did not matter because these people had Jesus Christ.  I love people, and I have realized that spreading the gospel is one of the most fulfilling experiences in life.  I cannot wait to go on this trip, meet the people, and be able to spread the good news. The words of a song we sang at the camp I went to are always playing in my head, " Send us the to nations, to the broken, lead us to surrender, we will go...We will run and we will go to the world to let them know, Jesus is the risen King, He is God eternally." This song is my prayer for myself and my team.