One Collective 4/29/25 One Collective 4/29/25

Joining Hands: Partnering with Local Leaders in Nicaragua

In this episode, Brenna sits down with Molly Riggs, a university student who recently returned from a mission trip to Nicaragua. Molly shares how her team partnered with local organizations to support ongoing work—through manual labor, relationship-building, and spiritual reflection. She reflects on how the experience reshaped her understanding of missions, deepened her faith, and challenged her to trust in God's presence already at work.

Episode 18 | 20 Minutes | April 29, 2025

🎧 Listen on Spotify | 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts

In this Episode:

Meet Molly Riggs, an interior and architectural design student with a heart for missions and cross-cultural service.
Mission in Nicaragua — Molly recounts her spring break trip where she partnered with local organizations through the Shalom Project and One Collective.
Hands-On Service — From farm labor to church cleanups, the team supported ongoing local efforts rather than initiating their own.
Spiritual Growth — Molly shares how witnessing the deep faith of local families reshaped her own trust in God.
Collaborating, Not Leading — The trip reframed her view of missions: not bringing God to others, but joining what He’s already doing.

Molly Riggs is a sophomore at Olivet Nazarene University, studying interior and architectural design with minors in graphic design and intercultural studies. Originally from West Virginia, Molly is passionate about using her creative skills to serve others—whether through designing safe, inclusive spaces or engaging in cross-cultural missions. Her heart for service is deeply influenced by her family’s legacy of ministry, and her recent trip to Nicaragua further deepened her understanding of faith, humility, and collaboration. Molly is driven by a desire to walk alongside others and contribute to work that’s already transforming lives.
Brenna Carson: Hi, Molly. How are you doing?

Molly Riggs: I'm good!

Brenna Carson: I'm well. Thanks for being here.

Molly Riggs: Yeah, thank you.

Brenna Carson: Of course. Molly, can you start by telling us a little bit about yourself? Are you currently a student? What are you studying? Do you have any hopes or dreams you can share with us? We'd love to get to know you a little better.

Molly Riggs: Yeah, so I'm Molly Riggs. I'm from West Virginia, and I'm currently a student at Olivet Nazarene University. I'm studying interior and architectural design, and I'm double minoring in graphic design and intercultural studies.
One thing I’d love to do with that is go into missions—either part-time or full-time—and help build shelters or support children with autism. I want to create safe environments where they feel comfortable. It feels like an awesome opportunity to use my skills and knowledge. I'm still figuring it out—I'm a sophomore, so I’ve got time.

Brenna Carson: Yeah, time. That sounds incredible. What a cool blend of study areas—practical, creative, and relational. Now, you recently went on a spring break trip to Nicaragua, right? You mentioned your minor in intercultural studies—was that part of why you were interested in this trip? How did that come about for you?

Molly Riggs: So my dad's side of the family—my grandparents were missionaries, and my dad was a missionary kid. I grew up knowing I wanted to go on a mission trip. In my youth group, high school was when we could go, but my freshman year was during COVID, so it didn’t happen. We didn’t have any mission trips throughout high school.
Then when I got to Olivet, I heard about the mission trips they do through the Shalom Project. I knew I had to be part of one. My dad told me not to go freshman year—he wanted me to settle in first—so we decided sophomore year would be the time.

Brenna Carson: Wow. So this was your chance, finally, after all those years of wanting to go.

Molly Riggs: Yeah, and it’s funny—people assume that as a pastor’s kid, I’ve been on a mission trip before, but that’s not always the case.

Brenna Carson: I understand that. Timing, opportunity—it doesn’t always work out. I'm so glad it happened for you sophomore year. We'll get into more details about what you did in Nicaragua, but I'm curious—after thinking about this for so long, how did it compare to your expectations? Did it live up to what you'd imagined, or was it different?

Molly Riggs: I had heard so many stories from my parents and grandparents about missions, and I expected this kind of spiritual high—teaching people about God, making a big impact.
But once we got there, I quickly realized that God was already doing amazing work. One of the leaders from the Marshall group said something like, “We’re not there to bring God to them. God’s already there—we’re just helping further His kingdom.” That really hit me.
I wasn’t there to change people’s lives. I was there to support what was already happening—whether that meant manual labor or just building relationships. That was a big shift from what I expected.

Brenna Carson: Wow. I’d love to hear more about that. But first, can you help set the scene for us? What kind of work was your team doing in Nicaragua? What projects did you take on, and who did you partner with?

Molly Riggs: Sure! We were about 45 minutes from Managua. We partnered with One Collective and stayed at one of their businesses called Betos—a beautiful café.
The first day, we did work around Betos—painting a wall to prevent rainwater from seeping in, some landscaping. Then, throughout the week, we met local Nicaraguans involved with One Collective’s programs.
We visited a family that makes incredible ceramics and heard their testimony. We also worked on two farms—did manual labor, used machetes (which was wild!), cut plantain trees, gathered eggs, burned leaves, moved wood.
One morning, we split into smaller groups and cleaned local churches. We talked with staff and pastors and got to hear about their churches’ histories. The whole week was about being flexible and doing whatever was needed.

Brenna Carson: Did you enjoy that kind of work—the manual labor, the variety of tasks? Did it connect with your interest in building and creating spaces?

Molly Riggs: I loved it—which surprised me because I’m not a big fan of bugs and outdoor stuff. But there’s something so fulfilling about having a goal and working toward it for someone else. I’d do that kind of work all the time.

Brenna Carson: That’s great. From what you’ve shared, it sounds like this trip was more about supporting existing work and communities—different from what you originally pictured. What did you take away from that? How do you reconcile your expectations with the reality of what you experienced?

Molly Riggs: Yeah, I used to think mission trips were all about going into impoverished places, seeing how little people had, and coming back feeling grateful for what I have. But I didn’t feel that as strongly as I thought I would.
Instead, I was struck by how grateful the people were and how strong their faith was. I felt more humbled by their spiritual strength than anything else. One family talked about facing a storm without a roof and how they just sat together and prayed. That made me question—what do I put my faith in? Myself or God?
So I came away realizing that I need to trust God more deeply. Their faith challenged and inspired me.

Brenna Carson: Wow. That’s such a powerful lesson. It’s amazing to see how, in a place where people might have less materially, they can have such richness in faith. Do you feel like that experience has changed you—maybe in your daily life or spiritual walk since coming home?

Molly Riggs: Definitely. I’ve been talking with mentors, like a former youth pastor who’s now a great friend and guide.
I also kept a journal in Nicaragua—writing every morning and night about what I was seeing, learning, and how God was speaking to me. I’ve been revisiting that journal to remind myself of what I experienced and how to carry it into daily life.
Coming back to the busyness here has been hard. Life in Nicaragua felt slower, more intentional. I didn’t even have my phone, and I felt so present. It’s been a challenge to maintain that mindset, but community has helped.
Our whole team is still in touch—we get together, we text. They’re my accountability. Just talking with people who went through the same thing helps so much in processing and living it out.

Brenna Carson: That’s so good—community really is key. As you think back on preparing for this trip and everything you’ve learned, what would you say to someone considering a mission trip? Any advice—spiritually, emotionally, practically—for preparing their heart well?

Molly Riggs: I’d say take advantage of any preparation meetings or materials. At Olivet, the Shalom Projects gave us a pamphlet and had us meet a couple of times to talk about expectations, culture shock, and mindset. That helped so much.
One thing I wish I’d done more was pray—not just about going, but about being open to whatever God had planned. I was so focused on the excitement and the possibilities that I didn’t fully surrender it to Him beforehand.
So yeah, pray for openness and trust. Remember that you're not going to "bring God" somewhere—He's already there. You’re just stepping into the work He’s already doing.

Brenna Carson: That’s a beautiful reminder. And even though you feel like you could’ve prayed more, it’s clear God was so faithful to show up and draw you closer to Him through it all.
Thank you, Molly, for sharing your story. We’re excited to see where life takes you and how you continue to walk out this experience.

Molly Riggs: Thank you! It was great talking to you.
‍

One Collective 4/25/25 One Collective 4/25/25

Avery's Story of Art, Faith, and Mission in Ecuador

In this episode, Avery Marstella shares his powerful experience serving in Ecuador—where a simple "yes" turned into a life-changing journey of faith, creativity, and community. From painting a mural alongside local leaders to preaching his very first sermon, Avery walks us through the highs, challenges, and holy moments that defined his week abroad. Hear how God used every part of the trip to deepen trust, spark transformation, and build lasting connections.

Episode 17 | 24 Minutes | April 25, 2025

🎧 Listen on Spotify | 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts

In this Episode:

Avery shares how saying "yes" to a mission trip to Ecuador led to unexpected growth in faith and leadership.
He reflects on the joy of collaborating with local community members through art and service.
A last-minute call to rewrite and deliver his testimony without notes became a powerful moment of trust in God.
The team formed deep, lasting friendships that continue to impact his life back home.
Avery encourages others to step out in faith and say yes to opportunities for global mission and connection.

Avery Marstella is a passionate and thoughtful young leader whose heart for service and storytelling shines through his experiences. A college student at Olivet Nazarene University with a background in church life, Avery stepped into bold new territory during a short-term mission trip to Ecuador—sharing his testimony publicly for the first time, collaborating on a meaningful mural project, and building deep connections with both the local community and his fellow team members. His willingness to trust God in moments of uncertainty, from rewriting his message the night before speaking to navigating language barriers on stage, reflects a maturing faith grounded in humility and joy. Avery’s story is marked by creativity, courage, and a genuine desire to make an impact for the Kingdom.
Brenna Carson: Hi, Avery. Thanks for being here.
Avery Marstella: Thank you for having me. I appreciate it.
Brenna Carson: Yeah, of course. Avery, can you tell our listeners a little bit about yourself? A little bit of an introduction—tell us where you go to school, what you’re studying, what year you are, and if you know what you want to do after graduation, tell us about that too.
Avery Marstella: So, I’m currently a freshman at Olivet Nazarene University in Illinois. I’m originally from Ohio but ended up here. I’m a double major in Communications and Intercultural Studies, and I have minors in Theology and Art—so a little bit of everything. I’m very passionate about the Lord. I also run cross country and track here, so I’m constantly busy.
After I graduate, I feel called to become a missionary and get into mission work. I’m super excited about that.
Brenna Carson: That’s really cool. Have you felt this calling to be a missionary for a long time, or is this something new since coming to college?
Avery Marstella: I would say it’s been about two years now. I was praying for a long time about what God wanted me to do, and I wasn’t sure. Then I took my first international trip to Europe on a class tour. It wasn’t a mission trip, but while I was there, I felt God tugging on my sleeve, like, "What about this? What about traveling and becoming a missionary?"
The more I thought about it, the more I felt like that’s what I’m meant to be. I prayed about it, and I really believe it’s what God wants me to do.
Brenna Carson: That’s awesome. So here you are in school, and you get this opportunity during spring break to go on an international team experience to Ecuador. How did you decide to go on that trip? Can you tell us a bit more about your experience?
Avery Marstella: I knew I wanted to go on a trip, but I didn’t know where. My school offered all kinds of trips, but South America stood out to me—I’d never been there. So, I signed up, prayed about it, and it all worked out. It was amazing. I think God specifically planned who was on the trip. We all had different gifts that we were able to use. By the end, we felt like family. None of us knew each other beforehand—we were just fellow students and followers of God. But when we came out of it, it was like we were family. It was truly amazing.
Brenna Carson: That’s incredible. You mentioned everyone had gifts they used—can you tell us more about what that looked like for you personally?
Avery Marstella: Yeah, I’m an art minor and I’ve always loved painting and drawing. I’d painted a couple murals before and always wanted to do one for a church. Near the end of the trip, we were at a church in Gualsaquí, and I had the idea—I wanted to paint a mural on one of their big white walls. I talked to Grace, our trip coordinator from One Collective, and she spoke to the pastor’s daughter. They told me to bring sketches. That night at the hotel, I started sketching away. The next morning, they were all in. We immediately started sanding the wall, and the group helped prep it. I had two days to finish. We were also doing VBS with the kids, and I had to miss out to paint. I was really torn. But I talked to my mom on the phone, and she said, “I think you should finish the mural.” So I stayed.
On the last day, the team left for VBS, and I stayed at the church painting. I was nervous I wouldn’t finish, but I kept working and finished just in time. When the team came back, the first thing they said was, “Let’s go see Avery’s mural!” They were so excited and blown away by it. That really touched me. It was a God moment. The kids loved it too—they pointed at it and touched it. The pastor, who had worked 20 years to build the church and had faced persecution, was so moved.
He told us he used to sleep in cornfields to avoid threats of his house being burned down. One story that really stuck was when people who knew he was against alcohol pinned him down and forced him to drink. Years later, they had a health clinic at the church, and one of the men who had attacked him was the first in line. That man eventually gave his life to Christ. Seeing God work in that transformation was powerful. We heard many stories like that during the week.
Brenna Carson: Wow. That’s powerful. So what was the mural like?
Avery Marstella: I wanted it to be meaningful for the church. It was a landscape with local scenery—cornfields, mountains, trees. There was a big yellow sun, and I had planned to paint the church’s logo inside it, but ran out of time. I included animals from around the church—chickens, turkeys, pigs, dogs (including one named Berlin hiding in the bushes), and plants we got to try. My favorite part was a tribute to the pastor. He always wore yellow rain boots and a brown hat during construction. I painted the boots leaning against a tree and the hat hanging on a branch. When he saw it, he almost cried. It really meant a lot to him—and to me.
Brenna Carson: That’s amazing. You mentioned you experienced God’s presence in the mural process. Can you talk more broadly about how this trip impacted your spiritual journey?

Avery Marstella: The biggest thing for our group was the joy we saw in the people there. It’s not something you think about until you experience it. They had very little—no power tools, very limited resources—but they were so joyful and grateful to be working for God and their community.We visited homes in the mountains and prayed with families. One mother had a baby and three kids. She couldn’t afford formula or school fees. The church stepped in and helped. She was overwhelmed with joy and gratitude, even though the baby had health issues doctors couldn’t diagnose. Her trust in God despite the worry was powerful. She wept, but also trusted fully. That joyful trust is something I’ll never forget. Working with the construction team and seeing how happy everyone was to just be there, serving, was incredible. Many weren’t getting paid—they were just serving because they loved God. That was inspiring.

Brenna Carson: That’s so cool. I love that phrase you used—"a joyful trust in God." Because so often, we’re like, “Well… I guess I’ll trust God,” right? It’s hesitant. But that phrase—joyful trust—is something deeper. It’s not just, “I’ll trust Him,” it’s, “I find joy in knowing He holds every part of my life in His hands.”
Avery Marstella: Yeah, exactly.
Brenna Carson: And it sounds like you also experienced the joy of collaboration—working alongside people who were already serving their community, already doing the work of transformation. What a gift to get to partner with that.
Now, I know one of the things you mentioned earlier is that you had the chance to share your testimony at the church. Is that right?
Avery Marstella: Yes, yeah.
Brenna Carson: What was that experience like? Did you know in advance you’d be speaking, or was it a spur-of-the-moment thing? And how was it—sharing your story publicly?
Avery Marstella: It was kind of crazy, honestly. I found out maybe two or three weeks before we left that I’d be sharing my testimony at the church. I had prepared a whole message, written everything down, took a lot of notes, and felt ready going into it.
It was a volunteer thing—our leaders asked if anyone wanted to share, and I raised my hand. Even though I’ve grown up in church, I’d never really preached before or stood on stage to speak alone, so it was totally new for me.
The night before, while I was sketching for the mural and feeling pretty stressed, I felt God put it on my heart to completely rewrite what I had planned. Originally, I was going to speak on the Sermon on the Mount, but I felt Him leading me toward the story of Jesus being tempted in the wilderness—Matthew 4.
So I stayed up, rewrote everything in my journal, practiced it, then went to bed. The next day was super busy, and I was set to speak that evening. But sometime between morning and 3 p.m.—I lost my journal. Like, completely gone. I still don’t know how it disappeared.
They did end up finding it later and said they’d mail it back, but for that night—and the rest of the trip—I didn’t have any of my notes.
So I had to get up there and speak from memory. No notes. No prep. Just faith. On top of that, the church was Spanish-speaking, and I only know a little Spanish. Grace, who works with One Collective, translated for me line-by-line as I spoke. That added a whole other layer of challenge because I had to pause every sentence, and sometimes she’d have to stop and ask, “Wait, what did you say?”
It felt messy, and I was definitely nervous, but I got through it. And even though I felt unsure about how it went, the congregation responded really well. The pastor—who I’d gotten to know a bit over the week—got up afterward and shared how proud he was, how he’d felt personally impacted, and how my story resonated with him. I had shared some really vulnerable parts of my journey through high school and how God brought me through a lot.
It was just one of those moments where you know it wasn’t you—it was God speaking through you. I came off that stage just overwhelmed by how He showed up.
Brenna Carson: The Lord absolutely uses our fumbling attempts, right? Even when we doubt ourselves or question if we’re saying the right thing, He’s sovereign over all of it.
Avery Marstella: For sure. Definitely.
Brenna Carson: So now that you’ve been back in the States for a few weeks, how has this trip stuck with you? Do you see it impacting your daily life or your relationships?
Avery Marstella: Yeah, definitely. I actually have two examples—one physical and one more relational.
Physically, I still wear this bracelet I got on the last day. It says “Ecuador.” Some of the little girls at the church came up to us, gave us hugs, and tied these bracelets around our wrists. Then Pastor Luis came over and tied one on my wrist and prayed over me.
I haven’t taken it off since. It’s such a simple thing, but it’s this constant reminder of the love we felt from that community and the work we got to be a part of. It reminds me to keep praying for them and remembering what we built together.
The second thing is our team. We still have a group chat, and even though we’re all back at school, we hang out, grab food, and stay connected. We even have a running game of “phone tag” on campus—snapping sneaky pics of each other and sending them in the group chat. It’s silly, but it keeps us close.
We didn’t know each other before the trip, but now we’re like family. Truly. I think these friendships will last a long time.
And more than that, I’ve come back with a whole new sense of gratitude. I’ve become more aware of just how blessed I am—with education, with community, with opportunity. And I’m more intentional now about how I steward what I have.
The work we did didn’t end when we left. We helped open doors in communities the church had struggled to reach—especially with kids. And now they’re stepping into those places and continuing the ministry. That’s what makes it all so special.
Brenna Carson: That’s beautiful. So what would you say to someone who’s thinking about going on a short-term trip like this, but maybe feels unsure or nervous?
Avery Marstella: I’d say 100% go. Wherever it is—go. As believers, we’re called to go and love people like Jesus did. If you have the opportunity, take it.
People often worry about money, but I can honestly say, God provided for my trip. If He wants you to go, He’ll make a way. And the experience? It’s worth every second.
We had so much fun. One day we were running through the streets for Carnival—getting sprayed with foam, throwing water balloons. Just fully immersed in the culture. And then we had these powerful, life-changing moments serving and worshipping together.
It’s a trip I’ll remember for the rest of my life, and I don’t think you can put a price on that.
Brenna Carson: I love that. Thank you, Avery. I loved hearing about how you experienced joyful trust, how you got to use your gifts, and how much can happen in just one week. The Lord really does use every moment.
Thank you for being here and for sharing your story.
‍

One Collective 4/24/25 One Collective 4/24/25

Step Out of the Boat: Student Faith in Action

In this episode, Brenna Carson sits down with Dr. Charles Perabeau, Dean of the School of Theology and Christian Ministry at Olivet Nazarene University, to explore the transformative power of short-term mission trips. Charles shares stories from his recent team’s experience in Ecuador with One Collective, reflects on the spiritual growth that comes through vulnerability and cross-cultural engagement, and offers heartfelt encouragement to anyone considering stepping out in faith. Whether you're a student, leader, or simply curious about missions, this conversation is a rich reminder of how God works through our willingness to go.

Episode 16 | 18 Minutes | April 24, 2025

🎧 Listen on Spotify | 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts

In this Episode:

Charles Perabeau shares his journey from sociology professor to Dean of Theology, and how his own study abroad experience shaped his faith and career.
Inside the Ecuador mission trip: hear how students partnered with a local church and helped build bridges in the community, including a meaningful connection with a local high school.
Students using their unique gifts—from construction to art—to serve and connect in deeply personal and lasting ways.
The power of vulnerability: how stepping outside comfort zones opens students to deeper faith, awareness, and spiritual transformation.
A call to action: Charles encourages listeners to “step out of the boat” and trust God’s leading, especially when the outcome is uncertain.

Dr. Charles Perabeau is the Dean of the School of Theology and Christian Ministry at Olivet Nazarene University. With over two decades of teaching experience, including 17 years in sociology, Charles brings a unique interdisciplinary lens to ministry and education. An Olivet alum himself, he has a deep love for cross-cultural engagement and spiritual formation, having led numerous student trips alongside his wife. Charles is passionate about helping students step outside their comfort zones to discover how God might be calling them—whether across borders or right in their own communities.
Brenna Carson:
Hello, Charles. Welcome, and thank you for being here.
Charles Perabeau:
Brenna, it’s a pleasure. Thanks for having me.
Brenna Carson:
Charles, I’d love it if you could start by sharing a bit of your background—your role at Olivet, your educational journey, and some of your involvement in the school.
Charles Perabeau:
Absolutely. I currently serve as the Dean of the School of Theology and Christian Ministry here at Olivet. I’m fairly new to this role—finishing up my third year—but I’ve been part of Olivet and Christian higher ed for quite some time. I’ve taught here for 20 years, spending 17 of those in sociology before transitioning to theology.
My wife and I have led a number of student trips over the years. We actually met in college on a study abroad program, so travel has been a meaningful part of our relationship and ministry.
I’m an Olivet grad myself—I majored in Romance Languages and Religion & Philosophy. I went on to graduate studies at Loyola University in Chicago and at Drew University, a Methodist school in New Jersey.
Brenna Carson:
That’s amazing. I love that you and your wife met on a study abroad trip and now lead these short-term teams together. Such a cool evolution of your journey together.
Can you share more about your experiences leading spring break trips? Specifically, what value do these trips hold—for students and the communities they visit?
Charles Perabeau:
Absolutely. That first study abroad experience changed my life in so many ways. It deepened my understanding of faith and broadened my view of the world. I came back asking new questions, even changing my academic path to pursue grad school.
Even if students can’t commit to a full semester abroad, short-term trips can still be life-changing. I love being part of these experiences because they often shift students’ trajectories. You can literally see the “aha” moments on their faces—moments that shape their faith, their sense of calling, and their understanding of missions.
These trips open students to new possibilities and help them reimagine how God can use them, both globally and locally.
Brenna Carson:
Yes, absolutely. Sometimes stepping into a different context helps us see the grandeur of God and opens our minds to new possibilities. You mentioned that vulnerability plays a big role in these experiences?
Charles Perabeau:
Definitely. There’s something powerful about vulnerability. Whether it’s a student’s first time abroad or just a new place, everyone’s out of their comfort zone.
That kind of environment makes us more aware of our dependence on God. It tunes our ears to what we might miss in our day-to-day routines. Being removed from our usual context helps us listen more deeply—to God, to others, and to ourselves.
Brenna Carson:
That's a great point. I’d love to hear more specifically about your most recent trip with One Collective. How did you get involved with that team, and what did the experience look like?
Charles Perabeau:
Well, it had been a while since we last led a spring break team—the last time was March 2020. That was the week COVID-19 hit full force. We were scrambling to get our team home safely.
After a few years off, I felt prompted to step back into it. I reached out to the campus leader who oversees our trips and said, “If there’s a need, we’re available.” No specific destination in mind—just a willingness.
Our university had worked with One Collective the previous year and had a great experience, so they were hoping to continue that partnership in a new location. That led to our trip to Ecuador, where we partnered with a local church in an indigenous community outside of Otavalo.
We visited homes, helped with community outreach, and even got the rare opportunity to visit a public high school nearby—something the church had been trying to do for years. The visit went so well that the principal invited us back, opening the door for a stronger relationship between the church and the school. That was incredibly encouraging.
Brenna Carson:
Wow, that’s incredible. And such a testament to the importance of working alongside existing local ministries. Were there any specific moments or students that stood out to you during the trip?
Charles Perabeau:
Yes, several. First, I have to say that One Collective was amazing to work with. Their thoughtful planning and support allowed me to focus more on the students and what God was doing, rather than logistics. That was a gift.
One student with a construction background connected deeply with the local pastor, who was also doing some light building work. They became inseparable—like co-pilots. Another student, who’s artistic, got permission to paint a mural at the church. It became this beautiful expression of his gifts and a blessing to the community.
Each student seemed to find their own way to contribute meaningfully, using the unique gifts God had given them. It was exactly the kind of partnership we were hoping for—not coming in as outsiders to take over, but to support and encourage what God is already doing through the local church.
Brenna Carson:
That’s such a beautiful picture. Did you have any students with a personal connection to Ecuador?
Charles Perabeau:
Yes, actually. One student on our team is from Ecuador. This trip opened her eyes to parts of her own country that she hadn’t seen before. It was powerful for her to witness God at work in a new way, close to home.
We even got to meet her family while we were there, which made the experience even richer. She was moved—surprised, even—by what God was doing in places she hadn’t previously known.
Brenna Carson:
That’s such a great reminder of how God is always at work around us, even in places we think we know.
As we close, what encouragement would you offer someone who’s thinking about signing up for a short-term mission trip, but is still on the fence?
Charles Perabeau:
Two images come to mind. One is Peter stepping out of the boat—onto the water, into uncertainty. The other is from the Israelites crossing into the Promised Land. The waters of the Jordan didn’t part until they stepped in.
If you’re hesitant—worried about finances, unsure if you can handle the experience—take the step anyway. I’ve never had a student come back and say, “I wish I hadn’t gone.” It’s always the opposite.
So if you’re sensing a nudge, it might be the Holy Spirit prompting you. Step out of the boat. You might just be stepping into something transformative.
Brenna Carson:
That’s such a powerful way to end. Thank you so much, Charles, for sharing your time, your wisdom, and your heart. I know this conversation will inspire and encourage many.
Charles Perabeau:
Thank you. It’s been a joy to be here.
‍

One Collective 8/4/24 One Collective 8/4/24

From Ecuador with Love: Amanda's Journey of Faith, Flexibility, and Flavor

Amanda went on a short-term mission trip to Ecuador with a group from Foundations Church. She left her family behind to join the journey and had a positive experience seeing new places and forming relationships with the team. She enjoyed trying new foods and experiencing the culture of Ecuador. Amanda advises future short-term team workers to be open-minded, flexible, and willing to try new things. The trip also had a spiritual impact on Amanda and the students, igniting a spark in their relationship with God. Amanda is open to future cross-cultural service opportunities and hopes to involve her family in future trips.

Episode 12 | 10 Minutes | Aug 4, 2024

🎧 Listen on Spotify | 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts

In this Episode:

God made a way for a trip when it felt impossible
Seeing students find a spark for cross-cultural service and ministry
How this trip allows space for picky eaters
Hopeful plans to join short-term team trips in the future

Amanda is a dedicated mission trip leader from Colorado with a passion for short-term mission work. A mother of three, Amanda is enthusiastic about engaging in service projects abroad. She recently returned from a 10-day trip to Ecuador with Foundations Church, where she led a group of 18 teenagers alongside three other adult leaders. Despite having a family vacation planned in Arkansas, Amanda managed to balance both commitments by traveling to Ecuador after her family trip.
Amanda values the deep connections formed on mission trips, both among the team members and with the local community. Her adventures also included experiencing new cultures, such as trying guinea pigs in Ecuador and appreciating the local commitment to environmental conservation. Amanda is eager to continue participating in and leading trips, potentially involving her family as her children grow older. She is open to exploring various regions and remains flexible to whatever opportunities arise.
Introduction and Meet Amanda

Alright, hello! Today we are with Amanda, and we are going to hear about her trip. And so first, I want to just hear a little bit about her. So Amanda, why don't you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Well, my name's Amanda. I live in Colorado.

Amanda's Background and Passion for Mission Trips

I've got three kids, a 15-year-old and two 10-year-olds but I just really love short-term mission trips. So when I got the opportunity, I jumped on it.

Yeah, that's awesome! I love to hear that. Just tell me the basics about your trip. When and where did you go, and who'd you go with?

Details of the Ecuador Trip

It was the beginning of June. And it was with the Foundations Church. There were 18 students, so teenagers. Um, was me and three other adult leaders that went, so we went to El Refugio for about 10 days, and yeah.

Awesome. So did you have your family go with you or did you go alone and lead?

Challenges and Personal Sacrifices

Kind of in a big way, actually So, kind of background on my involvement I started helping out at the beginning of the year, and as kind of the initial conversations I had with the youth pastor, about me, I said, hey, just so you know, I love short term mission trips. Like, that's kind of my jam. So, if anything ever comes up, like, let me know. And he said, well, actually, we've been praying for another female leader, so, how about How about now? which was great, except I had a trip, a family vacation planned with my family um, kind of overlapping those dates, and so I already had taken time off of work, had stuff planned with my family in a different state um, so because God is, kind of works things out when he wants to, um, Everything worked out so I went on my family vacation to Arkansas, to Bentonville, Arkansas with my family. And then I left my husband and three kids there, I flew to Denver, met the team at the airport, and flew to Ecuador. So, Yeah but yeah, it was cool.

Yeah, that's awesome. Glad you could do both. That is a perk. That's awesome. So what was one of your favorite parts? Just a favorite moment, um, from this trip specifically.

I'd never been to Ecuador. So that was fun to kind of just Check one more box off the list. Um, and just seeing a new country. But just seeing the relationships of how teams kind of form. You know, you take this group of people who didn't know each other. then a week later, you feel like you have a new set of best friends. And just especially watching the students kind of develop those relationships. Um, it's one of the cool things, um, for me.

Yeah, talk to me a little bit about seeing kind of those dynamics form from a leader. I've heard a lot of students talk about how those dynamics form and how they get close with the groups, but talk about what it's like to see that form from a leadership perspective.

it's interesting because I did several trips growing up. So I kind of, I've experienced it from both sides. So for me, it brought back a lot of nostalgia of like, Oh, I remember this phase, of life. And so just kind of seeing the, the way people come together. And on our trip, there was some kind of big tragedy that happened back home with some of the kids in the group. And so seeing everybody. just come together and kind of have this unconditional support through all that was pretty amazing.

That's awesome. I love to hear that.

Cultural Experiences in Ecuador

And so now I want to talk about what you mentioned that you've never been to Ecuador before. And so you are going out of the States and the normal Westernized culture into a new culture. So tell me a little bit about what that's like. What were some new things that you experienced from the culture?

the biggest thing would be some of the food specifically the guinea pig that we got to try, um, which I, love experiencing different ones like super adventurous eater when I'm at home, but if you put me in a different country and you say, here's part of the culture. If this is what you should do, then I'm all for it. So that's probably the biggest cultural experience I would say from a food perspective. Um, but just seeing the people and just seeing them, we went to the cloud forest and so kind of seeing the people there and just how they love nature and kind of their commitment to the environment. Um, it was kind of a different perspective for sure kind of what you see here.

Yeah, that's awesome.

Advice for Future Short-Term Mission Workers

So I do have a question about advising future short-term team workers as they join the field, but I first want to ask a very specific question. What advice would you have for someone who is a picky eater on this trip? What advice would you give them?

The guinea pig was a very one-off thing. We did not eat crazy things all the time, just to put that out there. All the food, for me, was very good. There were always some things, even the people that were a little bit pickier in the group, there was always something that they could eat but packing some protein bars and kind of some things, just so that if there, if there are things that come up that you're like, oh yeah, that's a no. Um. The group there was super accommodating, so people that had allergies, as long as you kind of communicate, like, here's, here's kind of the constraints, to make everyone was well taken care of.

Nice. That's super helpful. And then we'll just talk about this now. Do you have any other piece of advice for people who are starting to go on these trips and committing to this trip? How should they prepare?

just have an open mind, because if you kind of go into these kinds of trips with a certain idea of what you're doing or how things are going to go um, Mission trips really are a lot, about being flexible and so kind of just jumping in and raising your hand whatever it is that you're asked, whether it's something that you typically do or not, but just to try. Um, but just kind of be honest if you're like, nope, I, whether it's, you're not physically able to, you're not comfortable but just being, honest, but also kind of step out of your comfort zone, that's really what these are about.

Yeah, for sure. A definite common pattern of that answer is just to be open but I like that you said willing to try new things raise your hand and be willing to help wherever it's needed. I think that's super helpful.

Spiritual Impact of the Trip

And I also want to talk about the spiritual aspect of these trips. It's hard to go on these trips and not see God working and moving. And so how has God been at work in your life since the trip as a result of your experience?

I always, feel like one of the reasons I love trips like this is because I feel like it does kind of rekindle that spark of your relationship with God because you are kind of pulled away from everything and it kind of becomes a little bit more intentional on spending time with him, listening um, and just kind of trusting that. So I've tried to be more intentional about God, like, spending more time listening to worship music, or just continuing to trust that. God's plan is working. And kind of seeing how he made it all possible for me to go on the trip, and how that all worked out. It just kind of reinforces that, like, oh yeah, he'll, he wants it to happen, he'll figure it out.

Yeah. And as a leader, did you see that spiritual spark ignited in the students Talk to me about what that was like.

honestly, I was blown away by the students. Like, just how much they dove in. They wanted to talk about things and Weren't shy to raise their hand to say things that were they're struggling with some things that they wanted to work on. Um, You could see a change for sure

Yeah, that's awesome. I think that's so cool.

Future Plans and Aspirations
So the last question I just have for you is now thinking after you've gone on the trip and after you've led what will cross-cultural service look like for you in the future? Do you see yourself going on a trip again? I know you said that you love doing these short-term team trips. So do you see yourself doing that again? Do you see yourself leading? What does that kind of look like for you?

I mean anytime the opportunity presents itself, I can make it happen I want to I would love to take my family With my kids, a 15 year old a couple 10 year olds. So as they get older I would love to be able to take them. My husband's never been on a short-term trip like this, so I would love for him to get to go. So I open whatever doors I can walk through.

Yeah, is there a place or a kind of demographic or people group that you are passionate about trying out or do you see yourself going back to Ecuador?

I speak enough Spanish to kind of get around, so really any of those countries would be great. But I also have kind of a soft spot for Africa, so I mean I would go anywhere for the most part. Yeah.

That's fair. But yeah, Africa I think would be super cool. And this is just out of curiosity has your church done trips with one collective before? Was this like new? How did that kind of happen?

someone on staff had been through one collective a while ago. So that's kind of how we got connected there. This was the first time in several years that we've taken a student team internationally. So I know the plan is to kind of start trying to make that a more regular thing. Um, hopefully, that will be something that happens again next year.

Nice. We love to hear that. that. is our goal. Um, yes, we would love that. And we would love to maybe even try out a new spot. I think that would be fun. But that's awesome. I hope you get to lead again, and I hope that you get to bring your family, and it's fun. It's an enjoyable and fulfilling experience for them.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Thank you for answering all of my questions. I'm sure this will help future short-term team workers as they go into the field and as they think about what that process is going to be. And ultimately, it's always a testament to God's work through you and the world. Thank you so much for joining us and we will talk to another person soon. Bye!

One Collective 7/31/24 One Collective 7/31/24

Crossroads of Compassion: Madison Campbell's Journey in Nicaragua

Madison Campbell shares her experience of going on short-term team trips to Nicaragua with One Collective. She talks about the relationships she has built with the local people and missionaries, the cultural differences she has encountered, and the ways in which she has seen God at work. Madison also offers advice for future short-term team trip participants and discusses her plans for future cross-cultural service.

Episode 6 | 17 Minutes | Jul 31, 2024

🎧 Listen on Spotify | 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts

In this Episode:

How short-term team trips provide opportunities to build relationships and experience different cultures.
Lessons learned about expressing gratitude and listening well
How prayer and an open heart are essential for a meaningful cross-cultural service experience.

Supporting and staying connected with the local people and missionaries is crucial.

Madison Campbell, 23, is a vibrant young woman who finds joy in singing and spending time with friends, particularly over meals, fostering community within her faith circle. Her journey into missions began at 16 with One Collective in Nicaragua, marking the start of a dedicated involvement in short-term mission trips. Over the years, Madison has participated in seven to eight such trips, deeply impacting her perspective and commitment to cross-cultural service. Her experiences reflect a passion for both personal growth and building connections with believers and communities worldwide.
Introduction to Madison's Journey

We are here with Madison and we're going to hear a little bit about how God has been working through her and during her trip. Madison, just tell us a little bit about yourself.

Madison's Background and Passion for Missions
Hi, thank you so much I'm Madison Campbell. I'm 23 years old. I love to sing. I love to hang out and get dinner with friends. Just be part of that community and cultivate that kind of community among other people. Other believers and my first mission trip ever was with one collective to Nicaragua in 2017 when I was 16 years old. And since then I think I've been on seven or eight mission trips so far for short-term experiences. It's something that I love to do and I can, I'm planning on continuing to do many more. Yeah, that's amazing. So you've got some years, you've done this several times.

Recent Trip to Nicaragua

So tell us a little bit about your most recent trip that you went on. When and where did you go? And who'd you go with? Yeah, just tell us a little bit about that.

Yeah most recently was back in Nicaragua. It was my fifth time there. So I kept saying, I was like, fifth time's the charm. All right Lord, keep moving. I went with my dad, his name is Trey Campbell, and he was the one who originally started taking us the people he works with, and our friends on these trips with One Collective. And so it's been cool, not only getting closer to God, Not only getting closer to the people in Nicaragua and our teammates but especially getting closer to my dad as well. I feel like our relationship since I was 16 and my first one has just grown so much getting to go on these trips together. So he was leading that one. We went back to Nicaragua in Mazatepe. So we got to be at Beiros Bistro and we got to work with Posada de Luca and Papagayo, which is the pineapple farm. And it was just really cool getting to see people that I met when I was 16 who are still worth one collective working with them. Because it's not only just seeing them, once a year, Hey, what's up? It's we keep up with each other on social media. We know what's going on in each other's lives. And so that's my favorite part is the relationship part, but also to see the projects that they've started years ago. All of the fruit that's been coming from that as well.

Yeah, for sure. So all the people that you went on the trip with, were those people that you have been with since you were 16, or have the teams changed consistently?

So the teams that we went with a lot of them started coming from my dad's company. He works with Southwestern. And so a lot of them are around my age, like in their twenties. And so some of them, I think there was probably like this specific team was a lot of people who'd already been to Nicaragua. We had seven out of the 11 of us who'd been before. So a lot of them were people that had been on trips before and then there were a few new faces. And then the people that live there, the local people, but also the missionaries were people. Most of them we had seen before. And then we met some new faces and immediately were like, What's your Instagram?

We gotta keep up with each other! Which I love. That's like, one of the greatest things about social media. That's like a positive thing about it, is keeping up with everybody. And then, So yeah there's some new faces, but a lot of people that we've seen grow. They've watched me grow up. I've watched them grow up as well. Yeah. That's so cool. So what would you say one of your favorite moments from your most recent trip was? Oh, I think one of my favorite moments from every time that we go to Nicaragua and it just reminded me again why it's one of my favorites is we have one night every year where we Eat with someone who lives in Nicaragua, one of the local families that lives there. So we split up between our teams. It's three to four people per household will go. And it was me and my dad and two of the guys that were on our team and we were with a family. And so it's always, you walk in and hi, like, how's it going? There's a little bit of the language barrier and see ease into it.

And by the end of the night, we were laughing so hard we were crying. We even with the language barrier, we've got someone who's translating, we got a couple of people translating for us and people busted out the guitars and the ukuleles. And we were singing worship songs and we didn't want to leave. I think it was almost 11 p.m. And we were just like, That'll be fine we'll go, we'll do devotional when we get there, it's fine. So I was like, I don't want to leave, and when I come back here, I will make sure I'll be at your house again. I was like, this is, it was just so much fun. So that's one of my favorite parts. We also just working with everybody. We worked at Betos Bistro again. We worked at the pineapple farm one day. So getting to see that again as well. And then also our team specifically do devotionals at night. And so the conversations were just, vulnerable.

And I feel like so much like watching it, so much healing happened within our team as well. That people in Nicaragua, the missionaries got to be a part of as well, because we're always like, anybody that wants to come be part of the devotional at night, you're more than welcome to. So they got to see that as well, which was special.

Yeah, that's awesome.

Cultural Experiences in Nicaragua
I hear two things in your favorite moments, I hear the aspect of just experiencing the culture and then also just seeing how God worked. And I want to touch on both of those. Because clearly, Nicaragua is a new culture. It's a new space. It's a new environment. And so what were three things that you experienced from that culture that was new to you maybe as a 16-year-old or now that you come back and there's still something new? Talk about the culture a little bit and what was new for you to experience.

Yeah. So Nicaragua specifically, I think this is a lot of Latin American culture, but Nicaragua very specifically, they call it Nika time. So it's very much like it's more relational to more of a warm culture where when we were at the family's house, we said we would probably be home by eight or nine back at our, like a little place we were staying. And then it was nine and we were like we don't need to leave yet. It's fine. We'll get there. And that's how it is pretty much everywhere. And you show up when you show up, if you're talking to someone at someone's house And it's not like a we got to go, like we would in the States. It's very much no, I'm going to finish this conversation and be intentional with this person and we'll get to the next place when we get there and it'll be okay. It's the same thing with church. We just, okay, when we're ready, we go to church and church will eventually start. And it's just, that the time is very much more relaxed there. And Americans aren't as used to that. So it was, something we had to get used to is it's 9 am and we're late. No, it's okay. Just relax. We'll get there when we get there. So that was something that we had to get used to. Everyone always jokes and I joke about it too. I'm like the world's pickiest eater. So I'm always every time I go there I get my peanut butter crackers. I got my goldfish. I got all my snacks and So the food every single the first time I went when I was 16, I was like, what am I gonna eat? Oh no, and every time I've gone I've eaten more and more just because I've been Become more used to it as well.

And their food is really good there. Like it's a problem. No, no one else's problem. It's just me. But yeah, and thankfully they're the, they have the bistro and they make the most amazing smoothies. They've coffee. And so it's nice to be able to order like 17 smoothies a day, which is, helping the business out as well.

Yeah, that's awesome. Yeah, I love that. A lot of notes that Western culture can take.

Spiritual Reflections and Lessons Learned
And then the spiritual piece talks to me about how you saw God at work since this trip in your own life. Since you've come back, you've come back to the States, how have you seen God working in your life as a result of your experience?

Yeah There are a couple of things that I learned and some of it was from our teammates one of the guys, his name is Brayden, he's been a couple of times, he talked a lot about gratitude, and so was something that I realized, I was like, I need to say thank you more not I need to say thank you to people more for things that, they're doing for me that I don't deserve, but I also need to just thank the Lord more every single time, it's hot in Nicaragua February is super hot, Like the hottest we've ever, we normally go December, we went this February for the first time and I was like, it's significantly hotter than in December. And so anytime there was a breeze if a cloud covered the sun, I just immediately was like, thank you, Jesus. You didn't have to do that. Thank you. And little things like that just, expressing more gratitude and then also listening better. Some of the mission trips I've been on, I'm in a place in my life where I am just, I feel like I'm word vomiting constantly.

Just this is what's going on. And that's fine to be vulnerable. But more recent ones like this one, I feel like I listen more. So just practicing James 119 Being quick to listen and slow to speak, being able to listen more and learn more from people. And just absorbing that like a sponge has been something that I learned a lot from this last trip that we went on. And then I think from all the local people that live there and the missionaries just the vision that they have and the hope that they have even if they don't have, As much material stuff that we have in the United States, like they are so filled with faith that it's we don't need all this stuff.

You get home and you're just like, I, why do I have this much stuff? Like I need Jesus and everything else is just extra. And they have that attitude and they also make do with what they have. They come up with the most creative ways to use what they have, which is also really cool because everyone's so resourceful there too, so yeah those are some of the things I think that I learned, especially, specifically from this last time in February.

Yeah, those are really good reflections. You've clearly, processed this trip. And yeah, that's equally as important. You go on this trip and you come back and you can't just jump back into normal life. You have to see how it affected you.

Advice for Future Missionaries
After you've done this trip multiple times, but as you've come out of this trip, what advice would you have for someone who has signed up for a short-term team trip in the future? How should they prepare?

I would say check your emails. Like I always check your emails. That's very important. And anything that One Collective sends you, anything that anyone From where you're going to send you check those, and I would also say, with wherever you're going, whatever language they speak, definitely start practicing basic conversational. It can never hurt. And also pray. Prayer is one of the biggest ones. I don't think that I did that as much going into mission trips. And so this one before February, I was way more intentional about praying for. The trip itself, safety getting there, but also while we were there and praying for the missionaries there that are there as well. I think I am more likely to remember the people, like the locals, the people who were serving there, or our teammates. And I feel like the missionaries that live there 24 seven kinds of can be forgotten about. And so just pray for them even if you don't know them yet. But you know their names from the emails praying for those people as well.

Yeah, I think prayer is the biggest one. And then just make sure your heart is in a good place. It's not the easiest thing. That's why a lot of people go on mission trips because they're in this weird place in life and they want clarity and they want to experience something new. But just, Allowing your heart to be in a place of just openness and in a place to receive whatever the Lord's gonna do in your life That week two weeks. However long you're there. I think is something really wise to do beforehand So that whenever you're there, you're ready to receive and be open to anything instead of being more I've struggled with that before. I wanted things to go a certain way and missions and ministry is messy. It's not perfect. And so plans change all the time. Being able to adapt to that was something I had to learn the hard way, but eventually, it got easier. The more times that I got to go on them. So if you go on your first one and you're already in that mindset of whatever happens, and I'm just here to serve and learn, then you'll be golden.

Yeah, that's awesome. That's all super helpful so the last question I have for you as someone who's done trips multiple times and now just finished another one.

Future Plans and Aspirations
What will cross-cultural service look like for you now? Do you plan to do another one with your dad? Do you plan to do cross-cultural service differently in your life right now and currently? What does that look like for you?

Yeah, so recently last night I had dinner with a friend who works with my dad who's been to Nicaragua before. And we talked about possibly co-leading a trip next February. I think my dad is trying to get on the books for one trip, so we're going to do maybe a back-to-back trip.
This would be my first one leading one 401 collective mission trip. And so that's something that I'm praying about. But we said, Hey let's start moving with this, moving forward, and let God guide us. And it was funny cause we were talking about it and I said, I would love to lead a trip and I'm confident in the spiritual part of it. But the Logistics part of it is what makes me nervous because I've never dealt with the traveling and keeping up like, you know Constantly one two three four how many people is everyone where they need to be? And my friend Sarah was like, oh, I love that part it's the spiritual part that I am still learning a lot about as am I but we just looked at each other and we were like, oh Wait, we could co-lead one together, get the best of both worlds.

So we had dinner last night, and that's a plan to see what maybe we could do next year to lead a trip back to Nicaragua. That'll be my sixth time there, so I think at this point I'm Hey, y'all like we, we know each other. Let's go. What do we need to do? Let's just jump right into it. Headfirst. Yeah, that's the plan right now. I know my dad is planning on going back. We're, we always say that. And that's the other thing too, is once you go on one, it's really hard not to want to go on another one. Mainly not only because of what you get to do there and what you learn, but because of the relationships, I love that about One Collective is it is so relationship and they are so like, that's one of their core values is like the people that you're going to meet. That's the most important part is the people. And keeping up with those people and praying for those people and doing everything that you can to serve them while you're there. And so that's something too, that keeps me coming back is I, it's not just me walking in and saying, hi, these are people that I met one time. It's no, these are my friends. Like these are my friends now. And so not only is it, Serving and helping the community doing whatever they need, whatever the need is there, but it's also like an opportunity to visit with some of my close friends there as well which I think is neat that we have that culture right now where we're able to travel and go see each other.

Yeah, for sure. And I'm just curious What do you plan to do long term? Do you what is the career passion for you? Where's that like in your heart and your passion? Yeah, I've always loved missions, ministry, that kind of like route, that's always been something that I'm passionate about and so for right now, it is still short term, little bite size, little trips here and there.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Lord called me to do something a little bit longer term. But that's up to Him right now every time I go to Nicaragua, they're like, when are you moving here? And I'm like ha. Ask God. Okay. I'm like, I don't know that. Which is sweet, but yeah that's where I'm at right now is just, if I'm not there, then supporting people who are there. And then when I get to go like fully. Going with everything I have for that week because as much as it is like the first day you're there wherever you are, you're like, whoa, long days, long hours working hard. You're talking to a lot of people, which is awesome, but it can be draining. But then by the end, you're like, that was the fastest week ever. I want to be here for three more weeks or let's stay here for three months. Yeah, that's the plan right now. But anytime anyone asks me that I'm like, Oh, me and God are talking about that. I don't know. Hey, that's the healthiest way to handle it. That's the way to do it, for sure.

Yes, absolutely.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts
This is all super helpful. I loved hearing your answers. Thank you so much for joining us and sharing with us. Loved hearing your story and I think this will benefit future short-term workers as they start to entertain that process and start to think it over and ultimately start to join the field. And I think you are perfect testimony to God's work throughout short-term team trips and what he's doing to this world. So again, thank you so much, and hope to hear from you soon. Goodbye!
Yeah, absolutely!

One Collective 7/31/24 One Collective 7/31/24

Transforming Communities: Brayden Hall's Journey of Service and Spirituality in Nicaragua

Brayden Hall shares his experiences on short-term team trips to Nicaragua with One Collective. He emphasizes the importance of community and camaraderie among team members, especially when returning to the same location multiple times. Brayden highlights the impact of the projects completed during the trips, such as building roads and community centers, and how they have transformed the local communities. He also discusses the spiritual growth and personal development he has experienced as a result of these trips. Brayden expresses his plans to continue cross-cultural service, including his dream of funding and investing in a baseball complex in Masatepe, Nicaragua.

Episode 5 | 17 Minutes | Jul 31, 2024

🎧 Listen on Spotify | 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts

In this Episode:

Involvement with One Collective for three years, including multiple short-term trips to places like Mazatepe, Nicaragua.
Highlights of the camaraderie and community formed over multiple trips, emphasizing the deeper relationships built with locals and missionaries.
the bond formed with fellow travelers, particularly with his friend Noah, whom he got closer to through these trips despite initially doing different internships.
How the projects undertaken during his trips, such as building roads, school bathrooms, and community centers have positively transformed local communities and lasting impact
Reflections on the profound spiritual growth experienced through these trips, navigating life challenges like a breakup and family illness.

Brayden Hall, originally from Oklahoma and currently residing in Nashville, Tennessee, is deeply passionate about cross-cultural experiences and community service. Over the past three years with One Collective, Brayden has embarked on three transformative short-term team trips to Masatepe, Nicaragua. Brayden cherishes the camaraderie and community fostered during his trips, having formed lasting friendships with fellow volunteers who share his dedication to making a meaningful impact. Looking forward, he envisions continuing his humanitarian efforts, possibly spearheading a project to develop a baseball complex in Masatepe.
Introduction to Brayden and His Journey
We are here with Brayden and he is going to share a little bit about his trip and we're excited to hear about how God has been working. So Brayden, tell us a little bit about yourself.
Gosh, Sofi that was an incredible introduction.
Brayden's Background and Career
But yeah, so my name is Brayden Hall. I'm originally from Oklahoma. And if you're like, man, I've never heard of that state, then that's okay. But I currently live in Nashville, Tennessee, and I've been involved with a collective for the past three years which is exciting.
So I've gotten to serve on three short-term team trips to Massa Tepe and Nicaragua and currently for a career, I work in business-to-business sales for outsourcing big companies into different countries, a lot of their AI technology, back office work contact center work, and stuff as well. So definitely get to travel internationally a lot. And thanks to my time in Mazatepe, my Spanish isn't, it's not the best, but it's not the worst, and excited to be here today.
That's awesome. I love it. You've got a lot of experience in you. I love that.
Recent Trip to Nicaragua
So tell us a little bit about your most recent trip to Nicaragua. When, obviously we knew where you go, but when did you go and who'd you go with?
Gosh, yeah. Okay, so I got back about two months ago. So I went on a short-term team. It's eight days, somewhere around there, and I was led through Trey Campbell who works with both One Collective and then started his ministry as well called Metanoia, which is exciting. And there were 10 of us in the group. And what made this trip unique is I believe seven out of the ten were returning people People that had already been to masa type. They've already been to Beto's like they already know the whole crew but yeah, I could talk about it forever. Sophie, I'm, what do you get, what do you get for me, that's the summary.
Community and Camaraderie
I'm super curious since there were people that you returned to the trip with. These are people you've gone to Nicaragua with before. Talk about that community and that camaraderie because these are now people that you've done these trips and these trips are bonding experiences. So talk about going with people that you have already been on the trip with before.
Yeah. So that was interesting. One of my best friends Noah Swanson, interestingly enough. He and I became friends because we all did this like a crazy internship program. I could talk about it forever, so a lot of people who are on these short-term teams all did the same internship at some point. So there's that fraternal Vibe to it in a sense, but my friend Noah and I always went on separate trips and then he and I got close because we've never been on the same trip. After all, our birthdays are, like Different weeks. So what was awesome, Sofi, is that this year we got the call. Hey, it's going to be in February. And we're like, and so my buddy and I were like, did you see there's one in February like we get to bro out like on the same trip and it was like, yeah, let's do it. So that was cool.
Just a fun story. And then I've gotten to hang out with him and some of his other friends, and do some other cool things. And then, yeah, I think. Being back on the trip with people that have been there before was just like a cool maturity Specifically because It was almost this isn't like this new crazy thing I'm not just on vacation in Nicaragua it was like very intentional like it felt like every interaction with the locals with the missionaries You very intentional because there's already been that like established rapport. There have already been those relationships there. And I think Sofi just amplified the experience for me.
Yeah. no, that's awesome. I'm really glad you've got some lifelong friends from this.
Oh, it's so cool. There's some, my best friend and it's, and there's people too where you meet through different things and it's Oh, you've been on the Nicaragua trip with Trey Campbell. And it's yeah. And then a fun relationship starter too. Yeah.
Cultural Experiences and Projects
Yeah, an awesome community. As someone who's done it before and has done it multiple times, I'm curious Nicaragua brings a different culture and a different narrative and story than the Westernized culture and society. And so as you returned, what were three new things that you experienced from the culture that maybe were a bit different than what you were used three new things that were different.

Okay. Put me on the spot here. That was different in the culture. Okay. Yeah. I think my favorite will be here. I'll answer it by doing another thing too, because I think my favorite part of being on these trips and coming back is it's the conviction and what you're doing. The previous trip, you get to see it lived out when you come back. So I think my favorite part is all the different projects that we've done two years ago, three years ago, and then you come back. And it's like this thriving small Nicaraguan farm town. So have three specific ones, but I think for me it's the specific projects.
Whether it was, like, we built this little road they could, the trucks could go up the mountains and not spill fruit off the side or things. Or we built a bathroom for kids in this elementary school off this mountain in Nicaragua. Or whenever we stay back in the farm town, like we've worked on this community center, and now it's like a Thriving place to get people off the street where they can celebrate God and they can celebrate each other And they can celebrate the culture, in general, I think that's always my favorite part is Because I think a lot of the times if you read any of the books like when helping hurts and all of That there's that stigmatism of oh I'm gonna go on a mission trip and just pick up sticks off the ground and Oh, I'm just going to pick up trash and Hey, like we've all done it. That's cool. I understand. But, the types of trips that one collective posts, especially the short-term teams, everything is so you're so plugged into the community that it really, it has this like lasting effect on you I can't even really explain it. But it's so cool because you come back to the States and you're like, I just miss my friends, I miss my Nicaraguan community. I miss them, and so I think that's, to answer your question, it's seeing all the cool projects come to life every time they come back.
Talk to me a little bit about how you're working on the field, you're building a road, or whatever. Did you expect when you came years later that would be a thriving little ecosystem or was that in your mind when you were building it? Or were you like, oh, is this gonna matter? So
talk with that process and then come and see it thriving and see it help the community.
I can give you a really specific example of this. So my first Nicaragua trip, which is December of 2021. So now I'm super old. There was a part of it where we were cleaning out this like a section of this Bistro, which I could talk about the Bistro forever, but there was this Bistro it's the Holy ground. And a lot of people that work with one collective, like work in the Bistro, but there, we were like cleaning all this trash out and it was your typical, Hey, we're cleaning stuff, right? We're moving and cleaning stuff. And you're okay. But then I came back on my second trip, which was in December of 2022, and watching the fact that this area we cleaned, they transformed the whole thing into the kitchen of the bistro. And they made the kitchen three times the size. And so now all the business for that little tiny community in Masatepe that's going through that bistro. That's going through that kitchen. It was so cool to come back and be like dude, this was just like a bunch of trash and storage. And I remember like, getting emotional. I was like, golly, dude, this is my favorite part because it's, again, it just goes back to what I said, right? It's like that conviction that you're not just picking things up off the ground. You're in a community. Celebrating God and in that, I've been on trips. I've been on some of these trips where people are, God's maybe not their favorite thing in the world, which is okay, right? Everybody's on their walk, but it's so cool. Even just like the amount of love for people in the community that's expressed throughout the whole trip. Sofi is just one of the coolest, most visceral experiences. Imaginable. Yeah.
That's awesome. Yeah. I want to touch on that spiritual aspect of the trip.
Spiritual Reflections and Personal Growth
It's clearly like you can’t come home without seeing some spirituality. So after the trip, you've done some reflecting. How has God been at work in your life since the trip? As a result of your experience?
Yeah , no kidding. No, it's I'll answer it like this. Every trip I've been on, I've been in a completely different stage in life, and I know it's like a lot of people are like, oh, I'm like in a different, no, but like Sofi, like for real. My first trip was like going through a bad breakup. My mom got cancer like I graduated college So that whole part of my life was gone, I was figuring out what I wanted to do so a lot of anxiety that the second trip was like I was done with that book-selling program but I was anxious because I was like, man, I'm 24 I'm about to start my adult life. Like where am I gonna move? What kind of job am I gonna have so just putting a lot of Faith into the process and things? And then my third trip was really interesting because it's like I have an adult job now. Like, I live in Nashville and I work remotely like I'm going to work every day living, the American dream, or whatever. And it was cool to see that, like the faith that I put into God when I was younger, lost, like I, I went to that first Nicaragua trip cause I just, I needed an escape. I needed a spiritual escape, and through all the stuff that we did and through the mentorship I've had since through a lot of awesome spiritual leaders.
I yeah, I've found myself to just continue to put my faith into the process. Cause I've seen it unfold in Nicaragua. It was like a catalyst for me. It was like that one collective trip was something that led to some positive changes in my life,
Advice for Future Volunteers
yeah. that's awesome. That's a testament to God's work and now, after the trip, as we look back I'm curious as some people start to consider these trips and start to go through the process, what advice would you have for someone who's signed up for a trip? How should they prepare?
Yeah. Gosh. It's I almost want to be don't - just go, I, it's just like with anything in life, right? Like you get out you put in, and I've seen this on the trips too. I've seen people that go on the trips and they just sit back. They don't want to go to work. They just want to listen and that's awesome. I appreciate anybody willing to take a leap of faith and Go to a different country and community they're probably like they probably didn't grow up like that, but if I had any advice for someone it's just like a man just be open-minded, and not only like other people but like yourself to be open-minded and like the experience That you're going to have to don't go to a country and be like, Oh, like I'm going to probably do this. Like I'm going to do that. No. Like just take a little moment and just soak it in and pour it into that community. Cause now some of my friends are like local Nicaraguans of Masa Tepe. It's one of them's birthdays was yesterday, Don Beto, like the patriarch of the empire, and Masa Tepe, like the shoemaker turned entrepreneur guy. I have I'm a big baseball guy. And so it was cool. All all the bros, that went on this past trip.
We were all like, Hey, let's bring our jerseys. Cause we're going to have one day where we all wear our Nicaragua baseball jerseys. It was cool this year. When we got to the coffee shop, they were selling new baseball jerseys, and on the back of the jersey, instead of having a number, it just said Betos. it was like, dude, take. Take my money, man. Like I like to bury me with this on, cause it was just like, and I love it and now I wear it. It's but it's a, it's just like having it on my back. Like having Beto's cause again, if you meet anyone that's also gone to the Nicaragua trip like Don Beto he's like the most spiritual human being I've ever met. and he's responsible for The majority of the economic structure in this tiny farm town is like this, like five foot tall, 80-year-old Hispanic man. And so I love that guy. So again, the advice is just, Hey, be open-minded, but be equally as intentional with the community for sure. Yeah
I think that story is just a testament that, when you do put your whole self into it, when you do invest, you do see the fruit. You become great friends with great people, and you have great memories, and, and who wouldn't want that?
Oh my God. When you're, my favorite is so moving to Nashville, I only knew one person. I moved here. Total leap of faith. But one of my friends, from my first Nicaragua trip. He just happened to live in Nashville now. And so it's like I moved to this brand new city and it's dude, you live in Nashville. Yeah. And then now we're like hanging out all it's, we're like bros now. And most of the people I've ever met in Nashville have been because of like him and different group activities and co-ed kickball, all this stuff that we started. Yeah. And if I had never gone to Nicaragua, like I wouldn't have all these friends in Nashville so it's, again, it's intentional with the community, be intentional with the people keep an open mind spending eight days with eight, people in a closed scenario it's perfectly acceptable when it's over to be like, all right, peace, see ya, as God bless ya, hey, we spent a lot of time together, but what's crazy is every group I've been on like the opposite It's Oh my god, let's keep hanging out. Like I want to finish like what we're talking about And it was just cool to be a community Of people that are like that, so
No, for sure. That's awesome. I love it. So many good stories. My last question for you is, what will cross-cultural service look like for you?
Future Plans and Dreams
Now that you've done a couple do you plan to do it in the future or do you plan to do something a little more local, like with your own in Nashville? So what will cross-cultural service look like for you?
Yeah. So this is awesome because this lets me pitch something not really. But it's, but I'm going to pitch you my dream. And my dream Sophie is I want to come back to Masa Tepe. I don't know when, but my goal. I would like to fully fund and invest in a baseball park, a baseball complex, and the little town of Masa Tepe and formulate regulated baseball leagues to help clean up the streets, right? Because there's a lot of behavior that goes down that, that is a problem there that anybody would talk about it. But my goal is I want to come back and do humanitarian work. And that's part of the reason I bought the baseball jersey back in the day. It says every time I see it, it is a constant reminder of what I'm working towards, you know?
That's awesome. That's a really good dream. I love that.
And it's and I've kept in touch with everybody and Nicaragua, specifically the people in Mazatepe and so yeah there's some, definitely some economical goals that I in my day job, my career that I'm putting money into to save and I'm excited to execute on, right? Because Nicaragua changed me forever, which is a product of one collective, right? And the least I can do is give back, that's something that gets me, like in your day-to-day when you're like, Oh man But I'm like, Oh, like Nicaragua is counting on me, man. So and so all these awesome, amazing, beautiful people in Nicaragua, like they're counting on me. And as far as Nashville, like I, I've gotten pretty involved since I've been here, Sophie, I'm a member of Kiwanis club, which is basically like a global organization that sponsors a lot of different volunteering groups, a lot of different advocates, advocacy organizations, and I've got to do some work with some other multicultural, like the Hispanic Family Foundation and different things like that. There are some cool volunteering opportunities and yeah, I'm just excited to put that love and that feeling that I created on those trips, three years ago
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
A lot of just amazing answers and thoughts. We loved your story. It's just an amazing story and you have given me so much passion, so much joy. So thank you so much for joining us answering all of our questions and sharing your story. I think this will benefit future short-term team people as they start to figure out their process. And ultimately, it's a testament to God and how he's worked through you and how he's used these trips to work through the world. So thank you so much for sharing and yeah, we hope to talk soon. Thank you.
Bye. Thanks, guys

One Collective 7/30/24 One Collective 7/30/24

Journey of Faith: Austin's Transformation in Nicaragua

Austin shares his experience on a mission trip to Nicaragua and how it impacted his faith and relationships. He talks about the pineapple farm, the cultural differences he encountered, and the personal growth he experienced. Austin also discusses the after-effects of the trip, including how he has become a leader in his community and how his friends have shown interest in his faith. He offers advice for those considering a mission trip and expresses his desire to lead a trip in the future.

Episode 4 | 10 Minutes | Jul 20, 2024

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In this Episode:

How this work filled a desire to explore faith post-baptism, demonstrating that personal spiritual growth can spark meaningful action.
How memories from a Pineapple Farm in Nicaragua served as a profound spiritual encounter, illustrating how unexpected places and experiences can deepen one's connection with God.
Navigating a language barrier and highlighting the resilience and the willingness to embrace discomfort for personal and spiritual growth.
Reflections on Austin's shift in perspective towards trusting God in everyday challenges and inspiring others through his newfound faith journey exemplify how mission experiences can foster personal leadership and community impact.
How Austin will continue to engage in cross-cultural service

Austin, a 25-year-old lineman from Nashville, Tennessee, embarked on a life-changing mission trip to Mazatepe, Nicaragua, spurred by his recent baptism. His journey, guided by Trey Campbell, was marked by profound moments at a pineapple farm where he felt deeply connected to God. Overcoming language barriers, Austin experienced personal growth, realizing the value of patience and cultural understanding. Post-trip, he found renewed faith and leadership skills, inspiring friends to explore their own spirituality. Looking ahead, Austin is eager to continue his cross-cultural service, aspiring to lead future missions and deepen his impact on others' lives.
Introduction and Meet Austin
We are here with Austin and we're excited to hear about how God has been working throughout the trip and after the trip. Austin, why don't you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Happy to be here. My name is Austin. I'm 25 years old. I'm from Nashville, Tennessee, and I'm a lineman by trade. Nice! Amazing!

Austin's Mission Trip Experience
Tell us a little bit about your trip. Where and when did you go, and who'd you go with?

So I went alongside the church I'm at, and I was recently baptized down at the church in November, and I just felt called to go on a mission trip, or at least ask about it. So I just said, so I went to my group leader for my Bible study, and I said, Hey, I know you've been on them. What, what goes into that? How do I go on to it? And they hooked me up with a gentleman named Trey Campbell. And he talked to me about it and sold me on the idea, so it was about mid-February, um, we were in Mazatepe, Nicaragua, and it was an experience that I'll never forget. It was just a huge eye-opener, and, I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Amazing!

The Pineapple Farm and Cultural Insights
What was one of your favorite moments from the trip?

I'm going to have to say, the Pineapple Farm when we went to that, was like a piece of heaven out there. That's where I really felt like I was really connected to God. Yeah, no, that's awesome. A lot of people who've gone on this trip have mentioned the Pineapple Farm.

Can you tell us a little bit about what that is? What'd you guys do? Cause obviously that is not something we're familiar with. So talk a little bit about the Pineapple Farm.

The Pineapple Farm was it, they, the name for it was Papa Guy. The story behind it was there was like this, there was an American couple from Florida that, Fell in love with the property and they bought it and then they got in some trouble or had to flee the country and then The missionaries took it over. If I remember, don't quote me on that. I may be wrong. They mentioned something about that and then now they just have like full-time workers on there and they grow all the pineapples that you have just They just had like their own staff working there and they brought us on the mission trip down there and the manager of the ranch He had like his own little dog and that was probably the cleanest dog. I saw it down there. It was like well taken care of Honestly, it was like a piece of heaven out there because it was the because it was right in the mountains and Tijuana Tepe Our north, if I remember correctly, we were from Mazatec I mean where we're staying and just blew me away that Cause like when here in the States, you don't really realize, like, you don't think about what goes on in these third world countries and it just saying like how, just saying how God's taking care of them down there. it's a real amazing thing to see and it makes you realize how good we have it here compared to there.

Yeah, for sure. Absolutely. And there's definitely a big cultural difference between our Western Americanized culture and Nicaraguan culture. I want to talk a little bit about that. What were some new things that you experienced stepping into a new culture? What were some new things that you experienced?

Language Barriers and Personal Growth
Realizing that not being able to speak Spanish was a really big one. So that was Realizing, oh, yeah, no one speaks my language, so having to communicate through translators really inspired me to know Spanish, and it really just surprised me, even down there, how there's a kid learning English, and I even had one kid who I was, like, playing soccer with, and he, I was on my phone trying to connect to translate, and I'm like, hey, buddy, what's your name? And he just, perfect English, goes, my name's Jose, nice to meet you, and I'm like, so it just blew my mind a little bit, I was like, Wow, I gotta know Spanish. I'm gonna just and just how these kids were the education system is not the best yet They're still learning English, but hey, if these kids can learn English, I can learn Spanish. That was my biggest takeaway I just gotta learn Spanish.

And where are you now? Can you talk a little bit? Are you a little bit of a conversationalist when it comes to Spanish now?

I'm working on a tutor I have not found one yet. So that's a work in progress That's fair.

Yeah, definitely a work in progress for sure. But yeah, language can be huge. I also wanted to touch on something you have consistently talked about, how you experienced God, especially in the Pineapple Farm.

Post-Trip Reflections and Advice

So I want to ask how has God been at work since you went on this trip. As a result of your experience, where have you seen God work?

Definitely, like, realizing don't sweat the small stuff because he's, I know he's gonna take care of me. I used to react to things just like just on a hair trigger and come on like why is this happening and all that and I'm real thankful for what God's done. I've been really just focusing on me and trying to deep dive into my faith and the coolest thing about it was since I've been back, a lot of my buddies had actually been wanting to Come to church with me, they're seeing my walk just the other day. Like we were looking for something to do and out of nowhere, they all downloaded the Bible app and we just had a Bible study just like here, right here in this, and that was like one of the coolest things and it was probably like an hour and a half long. So that's, that was probably the biggest thing that happened was like, cause I've never led before when I came to a Bible study and just with all my buddies I grew up with, that was probably the biggest. That was probably one of the biggest impacts that I think I just had on myself, and I think I impacted them on that. That was probably one of the craziest things that happened.

Yeah, it sounds like this trip definitely built some leadership in you, that you gained more confidence and also just gained more of an understanding of God and learning from Him and witnessing Him. I think that's super cool. Now, obviously, the impact has happened post Uh, the trip, it's not just happening in Nicaragua, but as you've come out of the trip and as you finished, obviously God is still working. And so I want to focus a little bit on the after part of the trip. Now as you look back, thinking about some people starting to sign up for trips like this, what advice would you have for someone who has signed up for a trip? How should they prepare?

Definitely go into it. And I learned while I was down there, especially looking back on it, was it is what you make it. I had a really hard time really being vulnerable as a blue-collar guy. You're not getting emotional with the fellas, and especially on a trip with people that I didn't know if I don't know these people, and, but it really just, it's definitely a challenge, but I would definitely encourage people to dig deep in yourself, and it is what you make it. Give it your all. If there's something you're struggling with, I know if Trey Campbell, the guy who I was with, leads yours, there's gonna be no judgment. And he really helped me out a lot, and, Encouraged me to just say, Hey, like, that's your own pace, you're fitting in well. And then, when it came down time when I shared my story, a lot of people could relate.

Just absorb it, take it all in, and listen. Listening is a really big thing. Because if you have mentors and people around you, just listen to them. If they notice something about you and they want to give you a challenge, take them up on it. At least try. Keep an open mind and I encourage people to come leave a part of yourself down there and bring a new part of yourself back.
That's the biggest thing about it.

Yeah, that's huge. I think that's a really good, definitely good tagline for sure yeah. Would you say you were a bit hesitant as you went on this trip? What advice would you give to someone who is feeling hesitant and feeling scared before they go into the field?

You're investing in yourself to go on this trip. If you're serious about going, you're going to go. But if you go down there just to say, Oh, I'm going on a mission trip, I'm going to go, uh, cut down some trees, paint some walls, visit homes, talk with people. You're not really making it what it should be. If you're going to go on a mission trip, you want to do it for you to be better. When I went down there, I was just like, yeah, I'm doing this a lot for me. Really. I'm doing it for God. Like I was saying before, it is what you make it. And at first, yeah, I was a little hesitant to open up. And I remember the first night someone said, so I was a good buddy. And just knowing how he could have been that bigger person. I learned something from him the first night and I chimed in on that. I'm like, dude, I need to hear that. Yeah. And I definitely think these trips, you know, have that impact of, of recognizing differences, how to deal with them and how to handle them in a way that. Christ-like and in a way that is kingdom driven.

Yeah, I think that's a really powerful testament to that.

Future Plans and Final Thoughts
I want to take this more into the future as a last question. What will cross-cultural service look like for you now, now that you've come out of this trip? What do you foresee yourself doing with cross-cultural service in the future?

I definitely want to do this more. It really inspired me to lead one one day. I was really impressed with Trey on how he really connected with everyone and, heck, he's been, I don't know how many he's been on. So, now, just so I've been on 1, there's some work I gotta put into myself to be able to lead. But, I would definitely wanna, I will be back. I'll definitely be back in Masatepe at some point. And 1 Day, I would love to lead. I'm dead set on leading 1 1 Day.

Yeah, no, for sure. That would be amazing. And I think that would be huge and super impactful as someone who's done it and now would love to lead and have that impact. So I definitely think that's a great goal. I loved all of the things you had to say. You had a lot of great thoughts. It's clear that God has been working through you to impact your life and the lives of those that you love. Around you.

Conclusion and Call to Action
So thank you so much for joining us and sharing your story. We loved hearing it. And I think this will ultimately benefit future short-term workers as they join the field. And always it's a testament to God and how he's working in the world. So thank you so much for joining us and we will talk soon. Bye! Bye.

One Collective 7/18/24 One Collective 7/18/24

Discovering Deeper Purpose: Noah Swanson’s Journey

In this episode, we sit down with Noah, a passionate and dedicated individual from Aiken, Minnesota. Noah shares his inspiring journey from being homeschooled with a strong faith foundation to his mission work in Nicaragua. Learn about his experiences working on community projects like alcohol rehabilitation farms and community centers, and how these trips have deepened his appreciation for community and faith. Noah's story is a testament to the transformative power of cross-cultural service and the personal growth that comes with it. Tune in to hear about the challenges, memorable moments, and spiritual reflections from his mission trips, and gain valuable insights for future missionaries.

Episode 3 | 13 Minutes | Jul 18, 2024

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In this Episode:

The impact of mission trips on personal faith and growth.
How to prepare for a mission trip, from spiritual readiness to team dynamics.
Insights into Nicaraguan culture and lessons learned from local communities.
Practical advice for maximizing your mission trip experience and contribution.
The importance of building meaningful connections across cultural barriers.

Noah, from Aiken, Minnesota, has a deep-rooted passion for service and community. Homeschooled with a strong faith foundation, he graduated from Bemidji State University with a degree in math and economics. Currently residing in Utah, Noah was introduced to mission work through an internship. He has participated in several mission trips to Nicaragua, working on community projects like rehabilitation farms and community centers. Dedicated to annual mission trips, Noah values the transformative power of cross-cultural service and personal growth.
Introduction to Noah and His Background
Today we are talking with Noah, and he is going to talk about his trip a little bit. So Noah, why don't you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Absolutely. So I'm actually from a small town in Minnesota called Aiken, Minnesota. That's where I grew up. I was homeschooled. I have four sisters and a brother, and we were all homeschooled from preschool through 12th grade. My parents did that a lot for faith-based reasons, being able to teach that in addition to education.
So I always grew up with faith as a foundation, really involved in the church. My parents did a good job of instilling humility and a service-mindedness in me. It's always been a passion and a desire to want to serve people and impact people, which is what led to me going on some mission trips. I've always had a desire to do that but never really had an opportunity for it. Going back to my life, I went to Bemidji State University in Northern Minnesota. I got a degree in math and economics there. While I was there, I started an internship program that allowed me to move to Utah.
Now I've been in Utah for four years. The vice president of the internship program is really big into missions. He introduced me to going on these mission trips and partnering with One Collective. That's a little bit about me.
Noah's Recent Mission Trip to Nicaragua
Tell me a little bit about the most recent trip you went on. When did you go, where did you go, and who did you go with?
Yeah, we went in February, from about the 17th to the 24th. We went to Nicaragua. The main places we visited were Masa Tepe, which is their home base. They have a bistro that's part of their ministry, and a farm that's an alcohol rehabilitation place because that's a big need in that city and a lot of Nicaragua. Many men deal with alcohol or are alcoholics. We got to work at that farm a little bit. They also have a pineapple farm called Papagayo, which is also part of the alcohol rehabilitation area. They're still putting some work into it, but that was a lot of what we got to do and how we got to serve. There was a group of about 10 or 11 of us from Southwestern, from this internship I started with. About 80 percent of the people were alumni of that internship, and then a couple of other people were friends of Trey, who was our leader. He's the vice president of the company.
Memorable Moments from the Trip
And just going off of that, what was one of your favorite moments from your Nicaragua trip?
That's a good question because there are probably a lot of them. Honestly, I think one of my favorite parts of the trip was doing a lot of service projects. This was my third time going, and it was probably the time where we did the least amount of projects, which felt different. We did a lot more community with people, which stood out to me. Two years ago, my big takeaway was that community is really important, and even more so on this trip. One of the coolest moments was doing a lot of home visits with either the local missionaries or the local people that live there and are part of the ministry.
We got to go to one guy's house, and he's a pastor for one of the churches we partner with. We donated some money to build a community center, and he has been heading that up. It was him, his wife, their kids, and some cousins, all together for a big family meal. I don't speak much Spanish, so a lot of it was being translated. It's cool how you can connect with people beyond words. That was my favorite moment. They brought a ukulele, a guitar, and drums, and we were just having fun and praising. It was 10 p.m. at night, and people could hear us in the streets walking by. It was a pretty special moment with about four of us from our group and a lot of inviting, which is a big part of their culture.
Cultural Insights and Personal Growth
What were some new things that you experienced that you had to wrestle with?
Being there for the third time, one of my bigger realizations was hanging out more with some of the high school-aged kids and seeing how similar they are to people in America. We had a youth night, which they call English Night, where people come to learn English, and we're trying to learn Spanish. Realizing how similar people are, even if the cultures and languages are different, took pressure off me and allowed me to be more myself. I felt more peace this time, as I wasn't feeling as much guilt or discomfort about not understanding the language. It helped me to see that we're still very similar people.
Spiritual Reflections Post-Trip
How has God been at work since your trip as a result of your experience in your own life?
I've been more consistent with my prayer time and Bible time. My big takeaway is that God is in control of everything. I've realized that truly surrendering to God and understanding His plan is essential. We can have our own ideas about life, careers, and relationships, but God's perfect plan is what we need to live out. I've been more conscious of that since being back, about eight weeks now. Prayer is different, asking but also seeking to understand what God wants for me. I'm part of a Bible study group, and it's great to have that community. A lot of people in the group have been to Nicaragua before, so we share our experiences and learnings. It's about being active in my faith and seeking to know God more.
Advice for Future Missionaries
What advice would you give to someone who has signed up for a trip? How should they prepare?
My trip a couple of years ago wasn't as good because I wasn't putting as much into it. I overthought a lot of things and wasn't present. But something I did well on that first trip was being really open to what God wanted to show me. Be mentally prepared for challenges, have grace with yourself, and understand that just being there is a bright light to others. Be all in with it, not just physically but spiritually. Take time to journal, process while you're there, and share with the group. Be open, present, and all in.
Future Plans and Continued Service
What will cross-cultural service look like for you now that you've come out of this trip? Where do you see yourself in that narrative?
I love the trip and have told our leader, Trey, that I want to go to Nicaragua every year if they'll have me. Even if I can't go with the group, maybe I'll organize my own group or go with a few friends. I love the chance to serve and be open to wherever God calls me. Our group also does trips to Jamaica and the Dominican Republic. For me, it's about continuing to do at least one trip every year for a week. It’s important for reset time and personal growth. Who knows, maybe it will be longer or multiple trips, but ideally, I'd love to go to Nicaragua at least once a year and be open to other opportunities like Kenya through my church.
Closing Remarks and Podcast Information
Thank you so much for joining us and expressing your thoughts. I think this will genuinely benefit future short-term team workers as they process and think about going on a trip. Ultimately, it's always a testament to God's work through you and in the world. Thank you for sharing with us, and we will talk soon.

One Collective 7/9/24 One Collective 7/9/24

Building Cross-Cultural Bridges: Abby Stroven's Journey

Abby Stroven, the executive director for the La Vida Center for Outdoor Education and Leadership at Gordon College, shares her experience leading short-term team trips with One Collective in Ecuador. She discusses the importance of building long-term relationships and trust with partner organizations in the field. Abby highlights the transformative impact these trips have on students, as they learn about different worldviews, become more present, and deepen their relationship with God. She emphasizes the need for thorough preparation, including team bonding and prayer, and encourages sustainable practices in cross-cultural ministry. Abby looks forward to seeing the long-lasting impact of these trips and the growth of students as they bring their experiences back to their communities.

Episode 2 | 19 Minutes | Jul 9, 2024

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In this Episode:

Abby’s long-lasting relationship and connection with One Collective.
How to prep effectively for a short-term team trip
How Abby has continued to see students transformed from these trips
Practical ways to make sure a trip is sustainable and meaningful
Insights on building deep relationships with many kinds of workers involved in short-term team trips

Abby Stroven is the Executive Director for the Levita Center for Outdoor Education and Leadership at Gordon College. With a passion for cross-cultural missions, Abby has led short-term mission trips to Ecuador for many years. Her journey began in the early 1990s, eventually serving as a missionary with One Collective from 2002 to 2009.
Abby’s work at El Refugio retreat center in Ecuador involved preparing groups for impactful mission experiences, fostering long-term partnerships with communities like Shandia. She emphasizes sustainable and meaningful missions, focusing on preparation, cultural sensitivity, and long-term impact. Abby’s leadership continues to inspire and transform the lives of students and community members, building deep, trusting relationships.
Meet Abby Stroven
Today we are with Abby and she is going to tell us a little bit about her experience and about her trip. So tell us a little bit about yourself, Abby.
Yeah. Hello. Thanks for inviting me on. My name is Abby Stroven and right now I work as the Executive Director for the Levita Center for Outdoor Education and Leadership at Gordon College. And because of my previous experience in Ecuador, I have been the team leader for all of the Ecuador trips that have come from Gordon on short term missions with one collective. And so that's what I'm doing right now and it's been a privilege. Yeah, that's super cool.

Abby's Journey into Cross-Cultural Work
So how did you get involved in the cross-cultural work and experience?

Oh my, that's a long story, but if you have some time, I can share it started back in 1990 I want to say 94, 93, I came to Ecuador on my first short term experience with my youth leader, who was Rick Borman. So Rick grew up in Ecuador. And he took us on a wild adventure to the Kofan village. And it was an amazing experience. And I thought to myself, I really. I love this and I'd love to do missions work, but I'd like to be in the professional world and just do it as a side experience where I want to invest in this because I really believe in the work, but I thought I was going to have a professional career and then do missions work on the side.

And then I ended up coming to Ecuador as a missionary in 2002, working with one collective of international teams at the time, and spent seven years working at the retreat center at El Refugio, and just got to experience the other side of welcoming groups to Ecuador. And what does that look like when you get a group that's very prepared and has done a lot of the pre-work before they come to the field? And what does it look like when they haven't? And how does that make for a better experience on both sides? So I got to see both sides of that for seven years working there until about 2009, when I met a group from the Levita Center at Gordon. And that's when I decided to transition back to the States.

That's awesome. There’s so much tradition with doing this for a while. You built a relationship with has that kind of looked I first went to training with one collective as a missionary, which was really fun to be on the backside and them preparing me to go and work in Ecuador. And then I think what's really been fun is to see how they have developed a really great process for preparing teams. Because that partnership is so important to have that partnership be stable in the country so that it's not when I go with a team, I feel very supported. And I feel like what we're doing is healthy. And then it's having long-lasting impacts that are healthy dynamics because there is a team of people there who are already working in the communities that we're going to serve. And so we're coming and joining the work that they're already doing in this country. It's not us bringing something that is just temporary, it's something that's ongoing in a process. And so that's what I really enjoyed about working with One Collective and why our college continues to partner with One Collective because of their safety, risk management, like taking care of all of the details to make sure that the risk is managed on both sides. So the risk of our team coming, but the risk of what our impact could be in a community and how we're serving. So that's just been really special to have that relationship.

Yeah, that's an amazing takeaway from the relationship.

Experiences in Ecuador

And now transitioning we want to hear about the trip you went on. So tell us a little bit about your most recent trip. What was your role on the trip and where did you go and who did you go with?

Yes, so this experience was to the town of Shandia was our main area where we're going to serve the Gordon students. We had, I think, 11 students with us and I took another staff member here from Gordon and we went to serve at in that community, which has been a long-term partnership for Gordon College with Shandia.And so many of the students had been on experiences before or heard about previous experiences. Experiences from other students. And so they were very excited to go and see what this looked like? What does a relationship with the people of Shandia look like? And I can tell you, it's always profound. They go and their view of the world is transformed. They come back with challenging things that they have to discuss and work through many of issues, like when they come back, they say, why did we feel so alive in Ecuador, but we feel so dead here? And so we talk about what did, what was that spiritual connection? What is it that you were learning and growing in your relationship with God and in your worldview and in this, these relationships with the kids and the people in Shandia?How is that? How can we translate that to something that you could actually do here? And so many of our debriefs revolved around how that experience was so transformative for them, especially getting to make the connection with the kids and the people in Shandia because They were so open to us. They were receiving of us and the students were very shocked by that. They were like, wow, like we come from New England and New England is a little bit like, I don't know, cold culture, right? So we got a little bit of a barrier up and it's just going to a warm culture and having that experience with the kids of Shandia was very much an eye-opening experience for the students to be like, Oh, they're welcoming us with open arms.

The kids are just like running towards us and they don't even know us yet. And some of them they did know, but it was just, it was such a new experience for them. So that newness, but also just the meaning that they took from the trip, which was being present and how present you are when you're in a short term experience like that. Because you're leaving your world and all of the technology, we're very present with each other and with the people of Shandia and then inviting God into that experience was also something that was really meaningful for them.

Yeah, that's amazing.

Impact on Students and Community
We had talked to a student who went and he said that he had learned all of this stuff or experienced all this stuff. So it's cool that you as a leader experience them going through this process and experience them wrestling and learning and growing and facing all of that excitement and all of that tension. So it's really cool that you got to witness that you also talked about how the students experienced a lot of new things, clearly going to a cross-cultural experience. is a lot of new. It's a lot of new things that they're introduced to. But you have gone to Ecuador consistently and

and so what was something new that you experienced about the culture on this specific trip or just something that you really appreciated about the culture that you have had a chance to visit so consistently? Yes. I think the new experience that I had was just a deeper relationship and trust level with the people.

Pastor Juan Carlos we have met and known each other for many years, even when I was living in Ecuador, and I think that the longevity of the relationship and building that solid trust really allows me as a leader to know that the partner organization and the people on the ground who are living the experience are being honest with me about what it is that they need from us or the expectations. And so I think that was something that has, is always been special to me, those relationships, but also this time was even more profound to think Oh I've known one pastor Ron Carlos for so many years. I think other new things for me were just having an Ecuadorian host.

So in the past, we have had Ecuadorian hosts but this time specifically, we had two of them. One of them also being somebody who came up through one collective in the skate ministry, La Roca, and just having that was totally new for me to see somebody who'd been converted through one of the ministries of one collective and is now leading. And it was really cool to see how those cross, those cultures could mutually. Learn from each other. And yeah, to see that growth and change in the Ecuadorian who really is now passionate about facilitating these short-term experiences. Because I think sometimes you always wonder, like what is the impact of what I'm doing and is it helping or harming and for an Ecuadorian to say, no, it's helping and I'm helping you, I want to help you do this too, was just really great.

Yeah, I'm sure that's incredibly helpful. Students come to this trip once or maybe twice. And so sometimes they might not always see those results, but for someone who comes back and builds those relationships, they're able to hear the stories and testimonies of the work you guys are doing and also the work you get to be a part of and how they incorporate with each other. I think that's super beneficial. So that's really cool that you've had that experience. And as you now have Finished yet another trip, and I'm sure there will be more in the future. I just, I'm curious, why have you chosen to continue time and time again to lead these trips with students overseas?

I think for me, it's the joy of seeing their eyes opened to a different worldview. And that happened to me at that age, and so for me to then offer that experience to others and see how. Especially the way that One Collective does the partnership so well that it is a positive transformative experience for our students. Because I see them changing, not just because of the experience one time. They come back and they say, okay, what's the fruit of this experience? And they're actually living that out. In fact, we have a chapel that we're going to be sharing about five minutes of what that experience is. We learned on ourselves, in our experience, five minutes, not very long, but the students were focused on not just what we learned, but how it apply to our Gordon community.

So that's what I really love about it is that we're taking something that they learned in Ecuador and we're bringing it back to a Gordon community and saying, okay, the meaningful thing was being present with each other and bringing and asking God to be in those moments when we are present with each other. And I think that's something that they're trying to also, this group is particularly asking Gordon students, their own community to say, Hey, can we be more present with each other? Because that's actually something that will help increase our mental, health, our physical health, our relational, emotional, spiritual health is all connected to this idea of being present and what they learn from their experience in Ecuador.

So that's what I love about it, is that it's not just a one way I've had an experience and I'm done. It's know-how, what is the fruit and how is that affecting and impacting our, students and the body and community here in the States.

Yeah, it's amazing to see those students take that initiative to see what they want to incorporate from trips and bring it back. Another student they talked about how they got really close with the people that they worked with and they want to continue to build those relationships when they come back to the States. And it's just a long-lasting impact from these trips. And I think that's super cool.

Advice for Future Trips

So as we look forward, what advice would you have for someone who is planning a future trip?

Oh, my so many things. I think one advice is to do the preparation first with your group to make sure that you know each other really so that you're not bringing in your own conflicts with your own group into an experience. That's always something that I share with groups who want to travel and have these kinds of experiences overseas is to say Hey one way that we can help and not harm is to actually be a representation of Christ within our own group. How are we loving and caring for each other? So doing that pre-work and getting to know each other and bonding as a group, putting yourself in maybe some uncomfortable positions together first before going, overseas and having that experience really is is helpful preparation. And I would say also a lot of prayer.

And that might come down, for some people it comes down to praying for their fundraising. I know my group was at the last minute. They're like, oh my goodness, how are we going to raise all this money in a week? God will do it. If he wants us to go, he will do it. And all, they are practicing their faith in their fundraising. So that's another thing that groups can do, is to practice praying and sharing what God is doing. And just allowing other people to join you in that by, by supporting. I think is really helpful. So that pre work and that I would say also recommendation is that when you come back, take that time to process and it may take, multiple weeks, not just the first three days that you're back.

It may take multiple weeks or months afterwards to continue connecting with each other and trying to be concise sharing concisely the meaningful things about your experience. So practice doing that so that when somebody asks you, how was your experience or how was your trip, you can say something that's meaningful and concise and could translate, all of this that you're feeling and the transformation that's happened in your life.

Yeah, that's super helpful a preparation has consistently come up. It is a key aspect. It's not just going into the field, but it's what you do before that has consistently come up. And one of the things I asked a student was, how do we prepare? And clearly there's that spiritual aspect of praying and seeing how that works out.

What else would you say to a student who's asking how do I prepare for a trip? How do I prepare for a cross cultural experience? How do I prepare to spend long time with people that I might not have met before? What would you, what advice would you give to how to actually prepare? I would say, yeah, one of the preparations that you could do is just trying different things in your own world.

Go out, try some new food be adventurous, try some new experiences, and just see how you react to them take notice of how these new experiences are affecting you. And that could even be a cross cultural experience of going to a different church that worships differently than you do because that could be a part of your experience. So taking that time and searching out what's a church that I could go to and have a different worship experience. What are some of the language or just, yeah, things that I could prepare for in that way that are practical learning about the culture. I know that we did a lot of looking up what is the government like? What is the food like? What are the people like? Those are practical things you can do, even on your own, you can do some Google searches and find some information, hopefully confirm with your leaders that's actually true, but yeah, those are some preparations and definitely a lot of prayer being in the word, and I think having those times of just worship and fellowship together with the group before you go, good preparation, and then another thing I would say is also prepare yourself, To think about what is sustainable for the places that you're going to serve. So a lot of times we want to think about bringing things from the states or helping them with certain resources, but we have to remember that, that they're there for, could be the rest of their life in that situation. And we want to make sure that whatever we're doing, we're thinking more sustainably.So that's one. Prep that you can do is to think about what it is that we're actually bringing and is it sustainable. What we're doing as we're interacting with the people of that country.

Yeah, those are all super helpful. I'm sure many people will benefit from that tangible tips and tangible advice for sure.

Looking Forward: Sustainable Impact

The last question I have for you is, what are you, as you think about the future, what are you looking forward to in future cross-cultural ministry? I'm actually really looking forward to, I think maybe that last part of what I said, of how can we be sustainably impacting the places where we're going.

So one example of this is I know that we did a dental treatment for the kids in Shandia. And it was something where we're like, Oh, could we actually do this every six months, do like a fluoride treatment. But then one of the issues was also just in the health of their teeth, like actually brushing their teeth. And having toothbrushes and toothpaste and the group was like, Oh maybe we could bring down toothbrushes for them. And I was like, Great, that's a great idea. But why don't we also ask them what are ways that we can help them to be sustainable in their the health of their dental health? Because it's possible that they have a solution to this that's much more accessible than what we're trying to solve. So I think for me it, it excites me that my students are actually thinking about that afterward too, to say like how can we be sustainable and not just what's the next group that can bring down something that they can use, but what are things that the community would want and how can we help and facilitate that.So that's what excites me about these, is to come back and maybe see that some idea or some question that we asked about sustainability and dental health or something like that could be implemented.

Yeah, for sure. We've seen that these trips have a long-lasting impact and there's longevity in relationships in the work.And it's cool to see how God really draws that out and makes this. this trip much longer than the time that you're actually in the field. It's a whole, it's a whole process and it's always building the kingdom.

Conclusion and Farewell

Those are all amazing answers. I'm really grateful. And I loved, hearing your story. Thank you so much for joining us and sharing your story. It was all a great testament to the work that you've done, the work you've been involved in, and also how God has worked through these trips and through you. And so thank you again for joining us, and I hope you have a great rest of your day. Bye! Bye!

One Collective 7/2/24 One Collective 7/2/24

Finding Genuine Connection: Gabriel Garcia’s Journey in Ecuador

In this podcast episode, Sofi interviews Gabe, a college student who went on a short-term team trip to Ecuador. Gabe shares his experiences and the impact the trip had on his life. They discuss the close relationships formed with the team members and the local community, the cultural differences they encountered, and the lessons learned about love and purpose. Gabe also talks about the importance of preparation and the role of spirituality in cross-cultural service. He expresses his desire to continue serving and connecting with people from different cultures in the future.

Episode 1 | 15 Minutes | Jul 18, 2024

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In this Episode:

The impact of short-term mission trips on personal faith and growth.
How to effectively prepare for a mission trip, from spiritual readiness to team dynamics.
Insights into Ecuadorian culture and the valuable lessons learned from a small village community.
Practical advice for future mission trip participants on maximizing their experience and contribution.
The importance of building meaningful connections and how they can transform your perspective.

Gabe Gabriel Garcia is a passionate youth leader and first-year student at Gordon College in Massachusetts, majoring in Christian ministry with a pastoral concentration. With four years of experience in youth leadership at his church, Gabe is dedicated to fostering meaningful connections and sharing the love of God. His impactful short-term mission trip to Shandia, Ecuador, highlighted his commitment to cross-cultural service and deepened his understanding of love and community.
Hello, everyone. My name is Sofi. I work with the mobilization department and we recruit and coach people who serve with One Collective, just walking them through their journey and helping them discern their process before they go on to a short-term team. So we're starting a brand new podcast with One Collective, where we interview people who went on a short-term team trip. And today we are here with Gabe, who went on a short-term team trip, and we're going to hear a little bit about his trip.
Meet Gabe: A Passionate Youth Leader
So hi, Gabe, tell us a little bit about yourself.
Hi, nice to meet you. Um, well, my name is Gabe Gabriel Garcia. I'm a college student at Gordon College in Massachusetts. Um, first year freshman, excited, passionate. Um, I am really passionate about youth. I've been a youth leader at my church for the past four years. A little bit about myself, I'm here majoring in Christian ministry with a pastoral concentration on track to get my master's in divinity at some point. But that's where God has taken me and that's where I'm trying to go.
Amazing. I love it. That's awesome.
Gabe's Short-Term Mission Trip to Ecuador
So tell me a little bit about the trip that you went on, where, and when did you go and who'd you go with?
Of course, yeah. We went to Ecuador, to a small village called Shandia. And that is close to a city called Tena. But the village of Shandia has a population of around 350 people. So really small, really close tight-knit community. Um, we went with a team of 13 of us. Um, 8 girls, 3 guys and 2 leaders. So we were also kind of a very close team together, which was a unique aspect and I believe it helped us a lot when we were over there.
Yeah, that's so cool.
Building Bonds and Impactful Moments
Um, are you close with the people you went with now? Like, uh, do you guys, obviously you guys really bonded over the trip?
We are super close now. We have regular hangouts every week. We study together a lot, even though we have different classes all over campus. Some of them are seniors, juniors, sophomores, from every grade. And we still find time to get together to talk about our experiences and really still process what we went through and what we learned because it was super impactful for us.
Yeah, that's amazing. I'm sure it was a really impactful trip. Um, what was one of your favorite moments from the trip specifically?
One of my favorite moments was watching my friend Luke being climbed on by three children. They were all trying to get on top of his shoulders and they were fighting, just trying to climb on top of him. But that was my favorite moment because it really shows how connected we got with the children over the short time that we were there.
Yeah, no, for sure. I love it. Kids can be crazy, but that's amazing. Um, my next question is, how has God been at work since this trip in your life or as a result of this experience?
God has worked so marvelously in my life since this experience. It's crazy to even be able to describe it because the effect that it had on me was life-changing and It seems like such a short time but what I learned and what was kind of deeply rooted out of me was an aspect of love and connection showing through those children. For a lot of time in my life, um kind of felt separated from God and I felt like I had to do these things. I kind of felt like I had to give out love, even though I didn't feel like there was much to love about. But when I went to Ecuador and spent time with all the children there and how they just poured out love, despite their circumstances and despite everything that they were facing, their basic necessities being threatened every day, it was amazing and it was God-given. That love, that love can't just come from nowhere. The love that those children showed, the smiles that they showed every day, how they didn't judge us, no matter what we said or what we did, how they were open arms to us, how they wanted to connect. It was amazing. And it really showed me where specifically the children showed me what it means to love, even when we feel like there's nothing to love.
Yeah, no, that's amazing. That's awesome. That's a really cool perspective and definitely a strong takeaway for sure. One thing that stuck out is you said that, um, they didn't judge you for anything you did or you said, obviously you went into a culture that was very new. Um, it is unlike the Western, you know, United States culture.
Cultural Insights and Lessons Learned
And so I wanted to talk a little bit about that. What were three new things you experienced from the culture there?
I experienced a sense of danger that was different. So all the children there, their sense of danger is so different. Like they would climb basketball hoops, trees, pipes, anywhere, and they would just hang from them. And I'm like, get down, get down. You're going to hurt yourself. And our team leader would be like, Oh, they're fine. Don't worry about them. Also, how curious they were about every single little thing, how they would just grab fruits that they knew were good and delicious. And they would share them with us. Or how they would play soccer, run on top of rocks without shoes, or how they would get water from these little pipes that were blocked by a stick and a little rag. That's how they stop their water from running and how they also got water to put in their little cups. And I was truly amazed to understand how different their lives are, how emotionally intelligent each one of the children was, how they would understand different concepts, understand what we were talking about, share their personal stories that were anywhere from tragic to typical kid stories, even though they're not typical kids according to our standards at all.
Yeah, no, that's cool. Yeah, it sounds like, uh, you learned more from them than they learned from you sometimes and that stuff. Yeah, tell me more about that.
It really taught me most of all what it meant to be a child, what it meant to be that person that's growing and learning and still facilitating life in the village because they go and they help their parents, they help their teachers, they help each other. And when we were doing work projects specifically on the church, breaking the concrete to be able to put down a new floor of concrete, um, they wanted to pick up the shovel and do it with us. They wanted to pick up the metal bar and break the concrete. They wanted to dig up the garden with us to be able to make it new, paint the door, just to help with everything. They wanted to experience something new. They had that curiosity and that passion inside of them and I feel like that's something that in our Western culture can be forgotten quite easily.
Yeah, no, for sure. Absolutely. Yeah, I think that's, that's huge. And again, a very powerful takeaway.
Advice for Future Missionaries
Um, and so moving forward, like as you have processed your trip and understood the process before you went, and then when you were actually there in the field, um, thinking to other people who are thinking about getting involved, what advice would you have for someone who has signed up for a short-term team trip?
The advice I would give is preparation is the biggest part of your trip. Even though it might seem like a little part, the preparation really helped us as a team collectively here at Gordon to be able to understand each other's strengths, each other's faults, who we were trying to put to kind of lead this section or lead another section, who was better one-on-one with children, who was better in a group setting, and all that came with a preparation centered on God. To be able to be in communion with God and with each other. We had to put God at the center of our meetings. We met every Monday at 6 p.m. and we had to put God at the center because he was the only one who was going to be able to guide our preparation to be able to make every minute of our stay over there count and matter. I mean, we wanted nothing more than to connect with these children and show them love that they may typically get or not get depending on their situation, but specifically we wanted to show them the love of God. And how can we show them the love of God without including God, right?
Yeah, for sure. Absolutely.
We would pray together, we would engage in devotionals together, we would fast together, trying to truly understand the purpose of why we were going there, when we were going there, or where specifically we were going, because a lot of us it was our first time. We really wanted to just make sure that every minute we were there, we were truly putting in our every effort, and that preparation was what really helped us.
Yeah. No, for sure. I'm glad you highlighted preparation for sure. That's definitely something that we always want to focus on, um, because you have to prepare for such a big trip. Um, and you kind of touched on this with, um, the spiritual aspect, but beyond that, what other things would you recommend for how someone should prepare for a trip like this?
A lot of preparation, I guess, just to bring that word back, um, for the advice is really looking at yourself. Looking at yourself, what you have, what baggage you're bringing, and understanding that these children and these people, they know about God. They've heard about the word. There's lots of mission trips that go there every single year. And that was told to us, that when we go, not to treat them like they were children, but to treat them like, as we would treat any of our peers. To be able to understand that we are going there to facilitate a relationship, and we are going there to grow and build and show our character, that 90 percent of our job, or 90 percent of the experience, was us just showing up. And then the other 10 percent would be done by God and the connections and the seeds that were planted. So advice would be looking at yourself. Advice would be making a strong plan for your connection with God. Because as you're over there, you're gonna feel tired. You're gonna feel maybe isolated. You're gonna feel maybe different. But when you have that strong plan of God for support, for love, for filling you up with energy for the next workday, that is really the biggest piece of advice that I could give.
Yeah, for sure. That's awesome. Yeah, I love that.
Meaningful Relationships and Future Plans
Um, you have consistently talked about the relationships you built over this trip, and I'm curious, what was one relationship that meant the most to you, whether it was with a leader, or one of the kids there, or someone else in Ecuador, what was a relationship that you really felt was super meaningful to you?
That's a great question. The most meaningful relationship I feel like I was able to help build was one with a youth named Jimmy. Jimmy is one of the pillars of the community. He's a ray of sunshine every time he walks into a room. All of the kids love him. Everyone loves to talk with him. He's funny. He's kind. But when we got to really talk together, he asked me, what is my purpose in life?
Yeah.
And we got into a really deep conversation where to summarize a little bit what I was able to tell him that I myself have not found my purpose. The only thing I know is that my purpose is within the Bible. And I told him that when he wants to find his purpose, his true purpose, aside from our general purpose of spreading the gospel to everywhere we go, his true purpose will be found in the Bible and within the life of Jesus and his connection with God.
That was extremely meaningful.
For sure, it's a really deep personal question, but I think obviously it had some great impact and produced some great fruit from that conversation. That's amazing. Um, I love that. So the last question we have for you is what will cross-cultural service look like for you now that you've gone on this trip? Um, are you thinking about getting more involved? What will cross-cultural service look like for you in the future?
It will look like understanding the community behind the people who come behind the people who immigrate to the United States. Um, I work a lot with immigrants just in my church and we have a lot of services where we are able to meet these people because they've heard about our church, about the help that we're able to give to get them papers, to be able to get them jobs, and really understanding where they're coming from, what they've been through, their experiences as children. That is an immeasurable and valuable tool. I mean, just for cross-cultural ministry, but just to help people in general. And it looks like being more conscious of what I say, of what I interpret or what I reveal to other people, because my voice and my experience will influence others. There will come a time where I have to use what I've learned about these people, about cross-cultural ministries, about what it means to be from a different country and then come help them or from other people to come from their countries to search for a better life. Because when we say they search for a better life, I mean better life from what we hear better life, but not a lot of us take the time to really understand what they're coming from. And I want to go deeper. I want to go back to Ecuador. I want to go back to the village and spend more time with them. And I want to really grow a ministry where we're able to effectively connect with the people who need help, who have been through this, without that, you know, that superficial level of, Oh, you're an immigrant and I'm here.
That's a beautiful answer. Well done. Yes, that's awesome. I think that is a really, really important takeaway as I've continued to say over this interview, but I think you're really taking this trip to heart and seeing how it can influence your ministry in the future and in the now. And I think that's beautiful and I think that's great.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
That was our last question. I've loved learning about your trip, and I've loved learning how God has worked through it. So thank you so much for answering my questions and joining us. I absolutely loved hearing your story and hearing about your trip, and I think this will really benefit future short-term team workers. Ultimately, this is overall a great testimony to God's work through you and how he is working in the world. So thank you so much for joining us. I hope you have a lovely rest of your day and we will talk to you another person soon. Bye.

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