My first mission trip was to Aviano, Italy.  The plan was for me to be the youth director for the summer, but instead I spent 3 weeks being a personal assistant to the Pastor. Shortly after arriving in Italy, I found myself in need of lunch and had some time to waste before heading to my host site, so I decided to dine al fresco in Venice.  I had heard so much about how wonderful it was to eat outdoors along the canals in Venice, and the weather was nice, so I found a little spot and took a seat.  Well, no one told me that there were some Italians who don’t like American tourists.  This restaurant was one of those places.  When the bill came, I had been charged rent on the table and chair I used, as well as the napkin and cutlery, an upcharge for dining al fresco, and I was not only charged for my meal, but for each glass of water and each individual breadstick I ate in the breadbasket.  It took every lira I had plus most of my American cash to settle the bill.  What a way to start a summer mission project, right?  But I also got to spend talking with a young lady who was a devout Catholic.  I was able to share my beliefs, but our time together was very short.  I can only hope my story helped her connect with God in a new way.

I also served at a Centrifuge Camp in Grindelwald/Interlaken, Switzerland. Centrifuge is a summer camp for ages 12 – 20.  This camp, in particular, was designed for military children and families and some select European nationals.  This camp was always partnered with an American Southern Baptist Convention (usually out of Texas.) My parents were always in charge of the kitchen – ok, let’s be honest, my momma was always in charge. The Texas Convention workers were almost always the kitchen help. I served as a Counselor, Driver, Security Guard, and Chaperone.  I went with them to worship. I prayed with the campers.  I was there if they had a question of faith, or home relationships, or questions of any kind. As a security guard, my entire goal was to limit fraternizing of the genders during the night hours.

I also had the tremendous opportunity to spend a summer singing with the touring group, Continental Singers.  I sang; I danced (I mean, “moved with interpretation to the music”), shared the Gospel, and drove vans of people and equipment.  My tour, Tour O, spend three months traveling and performing from Colorado Springs, Colorado, to Arizona, Amarillo, Texas, New Mexico, California, Hawaii (O’ahu), Oregon, Washington State, Utah, and Las Vegas, Nevada. We performed concerts, had an invitation, counseled, and prayed with those in attendance.  On this trip, while in Colorado Springs, I was able to lead one attendant, the son of an Air Force Pilot, to Christ during the invitation time.