This summer, instead of relaxing by the pool or going to the beach, many Bel Air students set off on mission trips to make a change in the towns of Louisville, Kentucky and Danville, Virginia and other countries such as as Honduras and Haiti.

Mission trips allow kids and teens to go and help out in communities that really need it. From repainting houses to helping out specific people to spending time with underprivileged children, the work done by those on the trips will leave a special impact no matter where they went.

Trips like these often have a religious based focus that continues to build a strong sense of faith not only in the students that went but also the people they helped out. Both spiritually and emotionally uplifting, mission trips are very worthwhile and are often the highlight of the summer for anyone who goes on one.

See what your peers have to say about their experience of giving back to those who need the help below:

“We worked with the kids at the ‘Americana Community Center’ that were learning English as a second language. It was much more rewarding because we got to see our efforts produce immediate results.”

-Eli Courtney, Sophomore

(Louisville, Kentucky- First mission trip)

“Just knowing that what we were doing would make other people’s jobs easier [was my favorite thing about this trip].”

-Kristen Krebs, Sophomore

(Danville, Virginia- Third mission trip)

“We may not see immediate results [at The Cabbage Patch, a Boys & Girls Club type facility, where there were many random jobs to be done] but we know that eventually it’s going to pay off because we gave help to the people who really needed the help.”

-Megan Smith, Sophomore

(Louisville, Kentucky- Fourth mission trip)

“When I first got there, I didn’t know what to expect because I’ve never been on a mission trip before. I wasn’t sure if it was going to be as fun as everyone has been saying. But it was a great experience. It was fun and I grew spiritually. It was definitely worth it.”

-Josh Holcomb, Sophomore

(Danville, Virginia- First mission trip)

“[Mission trips] always help you grow in faith because you have a lot of time to spend thinking about your relationship with God.”

-Hannah Barsam, Sophomore

(Danville, Virginia- Fourth mission trip)

“You get to help out people less privileged than you and see how much even a little work can really help.”

-Evan Sordillo, Junior

(Danvillle, Virginia- Sixth mission trip)

“People were so appreciative because they didn’t have the help before and it was extremely awesome to see the results firsthand. [Working at the ‘Americana Community Center’] was my favorite part because you could be tired from the day before but once you walk into a room and hear a kid say your name, suddenly you aren’t tired anymore. It puts a smile on your face.”

-Sami Cole, Junior

(Louisville, Kentucky- Third mission trip)

“We had a representative from the college we stayed at tell us that people already want us to come back next year and help them out. We make a big impact and are a part of the changes made in this small town.”

-David Daugherty, Junior

(Danville, Virginia- Fifth mission trip)

“We spread the Word of God through working and worshipping with native Hondurans. I left with long- lasting friendships with Hondurans and I learned that it is heartbreaking to work through missions because you see the worst of the problems there are not a big deal to countries like the United States.”

-DJ Burke, Senior

(Honduras- First mission trip)

“I was in charge of teaching yoga [at a vacation bible school in Haiti]. I had the children engage in simple poses with the real emphasis on just being peaceful.  These children have lives so chaotic that it has for us to even fathom the concept—they do not have homes, and if they do it is a tarp attached to a stick; they never know where their next meal or water is coming from, or if it is coming at all; they have no stability, no role models; because of the dangerous slums that they live in, everything that they have can easily be taken away from them…but when I had them in yoga I constantly reminded them that the one thing that can never be taken away from them is their inner peace and their faith; and that they will always have these things.  ”

-Jenny Koscinski, Senior

(Haiti- First mission trip)

If you see any of these people in the hallway or in class, stop and ask them more about their missions! They all have many more stories they would love to share.