HOW MY MISSION TRIP BECAME A JOURNEY OF PERSONAL GROWTH
By Leslie Morris, Class of '08

     
   On April 22, 2007, a group of nine students and two adults from Judson College arrived at Birmingham International Airport to depart on a mission trip to Africa, sponsored by Campus Ministries, where they would spend 11 days spreading the word of God to underprivileged children and adults in two African cities. Upon arrival, they traveled to the country of Niger where they were eventually divided into three groups. Two groups would work in an orphanage and prayer walk in the capitol city of Niamey, while the third group would work with villagers in a neighboring city, Kollo.

      The group arrived safely back in the states on May 2, 2007, with wisdom and memories bestowed only upon those few who have lived amongst people of another culture. Most of the students kept a journal of their experiences, feelings and hardships while there.

      Judson senior, Leslie Morris, was one of those. This is her story...

  
  Leslie with Tierry, a boy from the
  Niamey orpahanage.  
 

                    "Words cannot accurately express how incredible my trip to Niger, Africa truly was...

       There were many obstacles to overcome, and sometimes raising enough money seemed impossible, but the hard work made the reward even sweeter. Other than coming to know Christ as my personal Lord and Savior, no other time in my life has ever been as significant as this trip was. The change that this experience brought about in me helped me understand how all of the "other stuff" was completely worth it.

       During preparation for the trip, there were a few obstacles early on. As a group, we woke up every weekday at 6 a.m. and worked out for an hour. We also had to give up carbonated beverages, coffee, and tea in order to get our bodies used to not having caffeine while we were in Africa.

       In addition, it was harder to raise funds than I expected. My parents were also unsure about whether or not I should take this journey. Luckily, it all came together in time for the trip.  Once we were finally in Africa, I started feeling sick.

      Looking back in my journal from the trip, I read an excerpt from our first full day in Africa:

"I am a little unsure if I should even be in Africa - the kids seem so dirty, the heat is never ending - but maybe it's just because I feel so miserable." 

      I am so glad my attitude changed, or I would have missed out on a lot. Working in the orphanage in Niamey, those in my group taught the children Bible stories and songs in English. Sometimes, the children would teach us the songs in French. We would also play simple games and do coloring sheets. We would go back to our house in Niamey for lunch and a nap, and then return each evening to play soccer, Frisbee, jump rope and other games. Sometimes we would bring juice and cookies for the children when we returned.

Orphanage children gathered to see the camels.

     The morning time was more structured, while the afternoon was relaxed so we could just spend quality time with the children. The group in Kollo went from village to village in that city telling stories and hanging out with the people. While there, they distributed school supplies (pencils and pads of paper).

      I have never been much of a "kid person" so I was a bit apprehensive about working in an orphanage. I prayed that God would grant me patience and wisdom, because I have never been a patient person. However, it was nearly impossible not to fall in love with these kids. They were not perfect little angels by any means, and we did not speak the same language, but they taught me so much.

From my journal,   "... we brought them all cookies and lemonade. Even though they have so little, most of them offered us one of the two cookies they received."

      These kids were the poorest of the poor, and yet they wanted to share with us. Their generosity really humbled me. The last day at the orphanage was very difficult. In my journal I wrote, "... I tossed and turned all night..." the night before our last day, saying that, "This is going to be a hard day." We did not get to spend as much time with the kids as I wanted to that day. I also wondered if the kids understood we were saying good-bye for the last time.

From my journal, "It was sad saying good-bye. It really hurt my heart. Amber (another student on the trip) started crying, which made me cry a little. It's sad to know that I will probably never find out what will happen to these kids...."

     
      I think everyone was amazed at how comfortable I was around those kids- how it did not bother me to have five or six of them sitting in my lap and asking me questions. God really changed my attitude, because I know it had nothing to do with my own abilities. I finally finished writing about the last day of the trip quite a few days after we returned.

     
      The final lines in my journal read, "That trip had mostly good times and a few bad times. It was truly amazing and unforgettable. Thank you, God!!"

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***  LESLIE MORRIS will graduate from Judson College in June with a Bachelor of Arts in Business and Religion. Originally from Hartselle, Ala., Leslie is unsure about what God has planned for her after Judson but she is interested in either going to seminary to be a youth minister, getting a job in and moving to Nashville, Tenn., taking an internship in Huntsville, or returning to do more work in Africa.

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