Another week has past, and another mission trip is sadly over with. It’s crazy how they keep going by faster and faster. For a few of us this was our first mission trip, and for many of us, including me, it was our last (for now). And for all of the trips I’ve been on, I’ve been able to take away something different. I’ve learned about the importance of service work, God’s Boundless love through missionary work, and the significance of making personal connections with whom you are grateful to serve. This mission trip was a very different experience. Throughout our time in Memphis and New Orleans, we were involved in a service learning camp as well as the National Youth Gathering. We left for Memphis on Saturday, July 13th. We left very early in the morning, and drove for 13 hours all the way to our hotel in Memphis. The next day we got up, (had amazing omelets at our embassy suite) and went to a peaceful church service with the pine city and superior groups (who went to the service learning camp along with us) at a cemetery. We sang songs, and started thinking about the theme for the week, which was Created To Be. After the service, we geared up to go to the city of Memphis for our learning day of the service learning camp. We went to the civil rights museum where we learned about Martin Luther King Jr. and other important civil rights activists that changed our history, and are still leaving a mark in the present and the future of this world. Then, we went further into the city, and had a two hour tour. We walked around the city learning about Beale Street, jazz music, Elvis, architecture, and other very interesting historical facts of the city. And even though it was very hot, we had a lot of fun, and our tour guide was very kind, and knew so much about the city! Then we went to the biggest bass pro shop in the world (which was in the shape of a pyramid), and to Sun Studio where singers like Elvis and Johnny Cash recorded. They were both really cool, and well air conditioned! Then we went to a local jazz concert in the city, and had some amazing food! We finished the night by doing devotions, playing games, and getting to know one another as we prepare for the week ahead. The next morning we got up, had more omelets, and were off to our service day of the service learning camp. First, we went to a homeless shelter, where we were tasked with making the children’s playground look more colorful and fun. Some people picked up garbage, weeded weeds, swept, and painted creative pictures on boards. I was a painter, but let me tell you it was not creative. (I still tried my best though!) After a few hours of that (and a quick stop at McDonald’s, of course) we went to a nonprofit organization in Memphis that brought insight on HIV and AIDS. We were tasked with picking up garbage and making safety/prevention bags. (I was tasked with holding the garbage bag, but I held it with my head held high!) After working at this service sight, we had a pizza and pool party, and had a relaxing night. We had more devotional time and packed up for the next day of travel. On Tuesday morning, we left pretty early and headed to New Orleans, for the national youth gathering! After some nap time, gator sights, and a Spanish class (which I unfortunately had to take this week), we landed in the great city of NOLA! First we went to the convention center, where we were able to check out the Lutheran shop they had as well as part of the interactive learning center. Then we went to the hotel. After dropping our bags off at the hotel, we immediately went to Cafe Beignet and ate Jumbalya, beignets of course, and drank chicory coffee. The food was delicious and the coffee fueled us for our first mass gathering! We walked to the Smoothie King Center after dinner, and took in the 16,000 people filling up the stadium. This night’s theme was Created to Be Brave. After great music, we learned about how we were created to show up with an open heart, willing to step outside of our comfort zone and be prepared for this week. Then we heard more music, and eventually found our way out of there without getting lost too bad in the midst of 16,000 people. We headed over to a hotel and had a dance night. We got really sweaty, worked off that caffeine, and headed back to our hotel where we had more devotions and family time. We went to bed (I did homework), and we got ready for the next day. The next morning we woke up, and set out for our synod day of the national youth gathering. We started by doing a scavenger hunt, taking pictures and getting to know each other more in many different places in the city. We walked around the city more, saw the river, had some more beignets and coffee of course, and boarded some local transportation to go and see the cemetery. The cemetery was so cool (well as cool as a cemetery can be) because the graves were in crypts above the ground. Then we saw the hurricane katrina memorial, where we honored the passing of this who were unidentified. After that, we went back to the convention center and had a Minnesota wide service, with members in our synod. We sang songs and were able to hear more about the themes for this week. Several of us were even able to help with communion, (I did not almost spill the wine…) and it was a great worship! Then we went to Mulate’s, a famous restaurant in NOLA, and hade some really good authentic food! After dinner, we went to another mass gathering to learn about the theme for the night, created to be authentic. This theme was meaningful to me, because I feel like I have always strived to be my authentic self. We had more great music, some amazing speakers, and were left feeling more authentic than when we walked in. We had another dance party, did more devotions, and I completed more homework, and we all went to bed. The next morning it was our interactive learning day. Some of us got coffee, and some of us just went straight to the convention center so I could sadly join my Spanish class. During my Spanish class, the group watched Agape perform some great music and participated in some of the overwhelming amount of interactive learning centers available. When I finished the class, I was able to jump into one of them about migration and how dangerous it is for immigrant families to travel to the United States for safety. Then we went to the WWII Museum, watched an insightful movie about it, and walked around the museum taking in the information. We even got to meet a very kind veteran of WWII, who just talked to us about our day. Then we had dinner, and walked to the smoothie king center for the theme of the night, created to be free. We learned about the freedom we can have if we truly live by who God designed us to be, and that certain wrongs of this world aren’t to be blamed by the people, but rather the system or even satan himself that caused it. We all need to live our own lives. After some songs and amazing speakers once again, we went back to the hotel and did devotions and had a conversation about our day. Corrina and I even went by the pool (which was on the roof) and had a relaxing time listening to the awesome jazz music on Bourbon street and talking about our experiences so far. She ensured me that even though my future is unknown and a little scary, that I will turn out okay, and that I don’t need to have it all figured out right now. That I am created to be the person that God is making me, and that he’ll guide me in the right direction. The next morning was our service day, and due to some rain we had to switch service sights from a city park to a boys and girls club. When we got there, there was an overwhelming amount of kids who were so happy to see us. Some people played basketball or 4 square with them, did arts and crafts, and others pushed them around on skooters. I was fortunate enough to play 4 square as well as participate in a water fight. I GOT DRENCHED, and I had to walk around in wet shoes and socks the rest of the day. I also was playing games with a few of the kids, and I was chasing one of them and they fell, and I felt horrible. But even though I felt like a failure, they were all still so happy to see us. After the boys and girls club, we went to Mardi Gras world and learned about all the floats and sculptures they use for parades. Then we went back to the convention center and participated in more interactive learning activities. My group walked around and found some really cool stickers! After that, we went to the French Market, where we did some shopping and ate dinner! I ate Gumbo, and it was magnificent! The French market was so cool, and it was another great time. Then we went to the smoothie king center, for another mass gathering. The theme of this night was Created to be Disruptive, which was super interesting! We learned about how the most disruptive thing that Jesus did was defy death, and that if there are unjust and unfair rules that it is okay to disrupt them. That it is so important to stand up for what you believe in! After more great music and awesome messages, (where one of the speakers was even deaf) we went back to the hotel for our final night in NOLA. We had some devotions, packed, and went to bed. We woke up, loaded the car, got some more beingets, and drove to our final mass gathering at smoothie king center. The theme on this morning was created to be disciples, and we learned that we need to take all that we have learned and be prepared to use it in our communities and lives back at home. Our group was lucky enough to sit in a suite for this gathering, and we took communion, sang more songs, and had a wonderful time. After the gathering, we got in the car, and drove many hours to a hotel in Missouri. We played some games, Owen swam , and we all gathered into one of our rooms to do a candle prayer. It was a very emotional 2 hour experience where we went around the room saying the things we appreciate about one another. There were many tears, and it was an unforgettable night! After our many memories and moments together, we had one final night of sleep and got up today and began the long trek home. As I mentioned earlier, this mission trip was different. Instead of countless hours of service and more service, this trip was a balanced mix of learning, serving, and connecting with our church family as well as 16,000 Lutherans across the world. Yet I still feel like God is trying to tell me something. There were times this week where it felt like I was barely even contributing. I can’t paint creatively, holding a garbage bag is useless, I almost spilled wine on everyone, I got drenched with water, and I made a kid cry (not purposefully, but still). I felt like a failure. But through these moments of doubts and frustration, the deeper message began to arise. God was showing me that our efforts, no matter how small or imperfect, matter. I learned that service is as much about the heart behind the action as the action itself. I learned that even though I am not the best painter or master of crafts, I can still make an impact by being present, showing kindness, and embracing the opportunities to serve in any capacity. I learned that God created me as well as all of us to be brave, authentic, free, disruptive, a disciple, and that he has big plans for our life. I have loved these trips. These trips have given me another family, best friends, and a deeply rooted faith. I think that everyone should get on a mission trip at least once in their lives, and have that chance to grow in their faith. Even though this is my last mission trip (for now) I know that the Lord will give me more opportunities to serve in the world and maybe even with this church too. Thank you to the congregation for all that you do for the youth, and I cannot wait to see what the Lord has for my future! Thanks!

⁃ Matt Masterson