A Mission Trip Testimony
by
Jenny Kramer

The funds had been raised, the itinerary set, and all of the necessary paperwork had been completed. My part of this trip had been completed. My dream was becoming a reality, and our youth group was going to have the opportunity to help others and learn about outreach. Little did I know that perhaps one of the biggest demons of this trip would be the prejudices within me that I didn't even know I had.

I worked with Lucas' group at the home of Mariana. Marina lived in a small travel trailer with her teenage daughter, Lupita, and her grown sons, Alphonso and Rodrigo. My initial reaction in this home was an anger directed at Alphonso and Rodrigo – how could they let their mother and sister live like this? Why aren't they here helping us fix their house? And I rationalized these answers to these questions with stereotypical scenarios.

After we had completed our projects, we enjoyed a meal together, and Val, the Outreach International Project Coordinator, led us in a session of sharing. Val was prompting us to go deeper, because much of what was being said was fairly glossy, “feel good” statements. Val even challenged the families to go deeper. He was speaking in Spanish, so most of us only picked up the word “gringo”. He then told us that for these families we were the first gringos that had been in their homes. As I listened to him, I realized how wrong I had been about Alphonso and Rodrigo. These were grown men, approximately 19 and 23 years of age. They both went to work every day and were Mariana's only source of income. I had been so blinded by my prejudice and ignorance that I failed to realize how hard these two young men were working to take care of their mother and sister.

As I confessed my initial anger at Alphonso and Rodrigo, a remarkable moment of forgiveness and reconciliation occurred. Alphonso crossed the room and embraced me, and with tears in his eyes and a quaver in his voice he told me, “It's o.k., ma'am. It's o.k.” This was enough for me. I thought I was full. Then I received a telephone call – about 10:30 or so that evening. It was Alphonso, and he was so excited to tell me that he had called his boss and made arrangements to spend the day at the beach with us the following day. He wanted to be with us more than just in his heart.

That is why I was led to help organize this trip. My life has been truly changed.

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