Poland Mission Trip – First Update

As I was getting ready to leave for my mission trip to Poland, I was thinking about how I got to this point and how faithful God is. Starting this past school year, I had a feeling that this was the year I would be going on a mission trip, I just wasn’t sure where that trip would be. I prayed that God would take me somewhere most people don’t go for mission trips and also on a trip that has a continuous impact. When this trip to Poland came up, I knew it was where God was calling me. However, I had never been on a mission trip before and it was scary. This was an almost 2 week, $3,000, overseas mission trip. I knew though that if this was where God wanted me, He would provide. And He did. 

• Picture above – me ready for the trip!

He provided me with so many donations and so many amazing people to help me in my journey. Everything from praying for the trip to making a monetary donation to donating a product for a fundraiser, people have been an integral part of this journey. There were many times where something could have prevented me from coming on this trip but God always provided.

• Picture above: me ready for my trip!

God continued providing when I got to the airport in Phoenix. This is my first mission trip, as well as my first international flight, so I was a little nervous, as were my parents. I also didn’t really know the people I’m traveling with; even though we’re all on the same team, we hadn’t all met each other yet. But, when we got in line at the airline check in, the guy that came right behind us had a mission trip shirt on. Once my mom noticed this, we introduced ourselves and he promised my parents he would look out for me on the trip. That not only gave my parents a peace of mind, it gave me one, as well.

We got through security and everything pretty quick at the Phoenix airport and then our travel team met up at the gate (while some of our team traveled at different times, there are 11 of us traveling together). Once we met up, we got to know one another and had a team meeting before we boarded the first plane (from Phoenix to London).

• Picture above: leaving Phoenix!

The flight from PHX to LON was fairly smooth, although there was some turbulence. I did get some sleep; since there was no one in the middle seat, I could stretch out a little, which was nice and made it easier to sleep. We also got both dinner and breakfast on the plane, which was kind of cool!

Upon landing in London, it was cloudy and raining, but it was still very pretty! After we got off the plane, we had to go through several escalators and hallways to find a bus, which would take us to a different terminal to reach our connecting flight. Once we reached the other terminal, we had to go through security, which was extremely busy. After doing this, I’m not sure how people in the Amazing Race or who have very little time to reach their connecting flights do it! After security, we found a place to sit, got some lunch, walked around the terminal, and then went to the gate.

• Picture above: landing in London!

The flight from London to Krakow was only two hours, so it was much shorter than the first flight. Although there was some turbulence, it was a pretty smooth flight. The landing was a little rough but I was too busy focusing on how beautiful Poland is to really notice the landing very much. Poland is absolutely beautiful!! God’s creation definitely shines in this country!

• Pictures above: landing in Krakow!

We got to the hotel about midnight but they gave us time to sleep in today. After we woke up, we had breakfast and then took a walk by the river. The river and atmosphere surrounding it is so beautiful!! After that, we came back and rested for a few minutes (jet lag is definitely hitting us, even though I thought I could prevent it by watching the hours I slept on the plane) before going to the first team meeting. At the meeting, we got our schedules for the week and I’m really excited with the jobs I was given! I can’t wait to see what God is going to do!!

• Picture above: the river in Wisla!

I’ve also already met so many amazing people and can’t wait to meet even more! There are volunteers here from the age of 14 to around 80. It’s unbelievable to see so many people come together to serve the Christian leaders coming to the forum (over 700 leaders are coming)!

This is the first update of the trip and as I’ve said, God is already doing amazing things! I can’t wait to write the next update and share more stories of what God is doing over here.

Thank you for the continued prayers and support! God bless!!