Many people go on Mission trips to support other communities that are in need, but some go for the many friendships and experiences that last a lifetime. I went on Mission Trip 2015 to Eagle Butte, South Dakota for both reasons. I had always remembered day three of Mission Trip 2015 because I helped the Cheyenne River community, made friends with people from around the state, and renewed old friendships with people from my own school. It was barely eight o’clock in the morning when we shuffled into the city hall building, eyes still filled with sleep.
We were there to discover what our work project was for the day. As Danny and I went to sit on the bench, Nathan cracked jokes and tried to keep everyone awake. We all sat in the tiny, cramped entry way for what seemed like hours, even if it was only thirty minutes. Finally, someone came with our paint scrapers, and brought us across the street to begin our work project. As we walked across the street I saw this old building. It had cracked and chipped paint everywhere. Great, I thought, this is going to be the longest day of my life! Mr. K, our group leader, gave us directions on what we had to do. Okay guys, first we are going to scrape the building.
After, we will put on a coat of primer,” said Mr. K. I could hear the collective groans from each and every one on of my peers in the background. “Really Mr. K! It’s too early to be doing this,” I retorted. “I wouldn’t even be up yet if I was still at home. ” As we start chipping paint, one the community members strolled by and started to talk with Mr. K. Later, Mr. K told us what the man said. “That man I was talking to says he appreciates all we do to help his community,” Mr. K said. “I am glad we can help those who are in need.
It makes me appreciate what I have,” I replied. As we continue to chip the flaky, white paint off the side of the building, I thought about how we are helping this wonderful community. It made me feel delighted that people appreciated everything we had done to help. As I continued to work a large raindrop hit my cheek. That is when I saw everyone started to retreat to the bus. As I walked onto the bus I felt the tension in the air. No one from the different church groups tried to talk to each other.
Nathan could not stand the silence anymore. “So guys, where are you from? ” Nathan asked. Well, Sam and I are from Fergus Falls,” said Jack. “We are from Crystal,” Kendall shouted from the back of the bus. “Oh my god! We are all from Minnesota! ” I said. Knowing that we were from the same state, sparked a whole new conversation. Kendall asked, “So, where are you guys form? ” “Do you guys know where Winstock is? ” Lauren responded. “What is Winstock? ” Sam questioned. “Seriously, you live in Minnesota and you don’t know what Winstock is? ’ I responded. “It’s an amazing country music festival! You guys have to come see it next summer. ”
“But where do you live though? Rachel inquired. “We live about thirty minutes from Hutchinson if you know where that is,” Nathan said. I continued to talk to Kendall about Winstock, and invited her to come join my friends and me next year at the festival. It was great to meet someone who loves country music just as much as I do, I thought. I realized at that moment I made one of those friendships that I hoped to make on this trip. As we continued to talk, I noticed it had stopped raining. “Guys, it is time go back outside. It has stopped raining. ” I said. We filed off of the bus, and we continued our job of chipping paint.
Danny and Emma went back to the city hall building to get the paint brushes and primer. Once they came back, Danny and I headed to the far end of the building that still needed to be scrapped. As we started to scrape I noticed a spider. “Oh my god! Oh my god! Ew! It’s a giant spider! Someone kill it! Seriously, kill it! ” I screamed as I ran away from the building. “It’s just a spider calm down,” Danny said. “Why are girls so scared of spiders? ” As I pointed in the direction of the now dead spider, “Did you no see how big that spider was? Thanks for saving my life though. ” “What are friends for? ” Danny said.
As we continued to work, Danny and I got thirsty. We headed back to the bus to take a short break. As we got on the bus I went to the back of the bus, and grab waters out of the ice cold cooler. The ice cooled be off from all of the work we had done so far. Once I was done cooling off, I threw a water up to Danny at the front of the bus. Danny and I then sat down to relax for a couple minutes. “I can’t believe we never talked this much in school,” I said to Danny. “Yeah, you are actually a pretty awesome person,” replied Danny. With a puzzled look I responded, “I honestly thought you hated me. ” “No!
Our friend groups just never got along. ” “It sucks that our groups don’t get along better. ” “I am just glad we have gotten to become friends. Maybe our groups will follow us, and get along with each other. ” “Hopefully! We need to get back outside and work though before Mr. K comes in and yells at us, though. ” Danny and I continue back outside, and helped finish priming the building. Once done, we all brought the supplies back to the office. The lady at the front desk thanked us for all our hard work on our way back out to leave. As we got on the bus and left, I felt fulfilled for everything done that day.
Day three of Mission Trip 2015 was unforgettable because I was able to help out the wonderful Cheyenne River community, I made new friendships, and reconnected with old friends. I was blessed because I was able to help out such a wonderful community and it inspired me to help back in my own town. I also made new friendships that I would cherish for the rest of my life. As well as reconnected with friends from my own school. Going on mission trips seemed pointless to some people, but they had given me experiences that I remembered for the rest of my life.
