Mission Trip Analysis

In 2012, General Dempsey states “Mission Command is fundamentally a learned behavior to be imprinted into the DNA of a profession of arms.” The way Mission Command has evolved through the past years is indicative to the US Military adjusting to a new threat. The concept of Mission Command is not new, what is important is how General Dempsey states “Education in the fundamental principles of mission command must begin at the start of service and be progressively more challenging..” The General emphasizes the need for education at the start of the individual’s service. Additionally, this highlights the United States Army’s doctrinal adjustment to the new threat. During the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, the US faced an enemy whose creativity and adaptability are two of its greatest assets. The fast-paced situation changes in both of those AOs required tactical level leadership maintain the autonomy to “exercise disciplined initiative.” This type of initiative historically leads to mission success, specifically in fast-paced situations where a key to success is forcing the enemy to react.

The following week, we spent most of our time in the poorest parts of the city. There we went door-to-door sharing the love of God and had Vacation Bible Schools for the kids. This is when I realized how blessed I truly was. For the first time, I got to see the privations and penury environment that the citizens of Third World countries had to endure. The unpaved streets were covered in trash. Many houses, made of tin sheets, had collapsed on themselves. The people had to share wells, where they drew their parasitic water. Men, women, and children sat on the sides of the roads begging for money, because they were sick, hungry, and needed money for food and proper medication. The site of these atrocious states of living broke my heart, and showed me how blessed I really was for not having to face these problems.

No matter what happened during the school year I would always come back to camp and be able to spend time with the girls that went from friends to family over the nine years that I had known them. This last year was the last time I would ever get to do activities, earn merits or even swim a mile. During my last two weeks at CLH I knew this but it did not sink in until it was my last time to hike up to Church Mountain as a camper. On the way up my eyes started to sting and I reached over and grabbed my friend Riata’s hand. I looked over at her and saw that she was crying too. Once I realized she was I looked around and witnessed my entire cabin start to break down and come to understand, this was our last year, our last chance to do anything a camper could do. It was during this time that I truly came to appreciate everything camp has taught me and the great friends that I made along the way.

I found this chance to help people a way to get to know the people in my youth group, but I learned so much more than I thought I would. What amazed me the most out of everything on this trip was the willingness of kids my age to help those around them. During that week in Denver, I also had the chance to meet some of the other youth from other cities in Missouri. A lot of them whom had remarkable stories. Their reasons for helping out during this mission trip were much greater than my own, I was astounded. They had told me about their past, the struggles and valleys that they had gone through that lead them to help those who are going through the same situations or worse. One story struck me the most. One about a boy and a past fight with drug abuse. He said that one day he felt this indescribable jolt and he just lost it. He broke down and asked himself what he was doing with his life. After asking around and seeking help, he went to the local church one Sunday. That was when he met the youth leader that helped him through his

Flashes of beautiful wildlife and unbelievable mountain ranges filled my eyes as our youth pastor showed us the destination of our next mission trip, Yellowstone National Park. I remember looking at these pictures and thinking there was nothing more I wanted to do than see this amazing wonder. I wanted to be fully one with nature and experience it with some of the people I loved most, my youth group. While planning for this trip, I had no idea that by the end of it I would have hiked eighteen miles into the deep backcountry of Yellowstone with a forty-two pound pack on my back. That I would have slept outside with only a simple tarp over my head and a can of bear spray by my pillow. That I would have helped remodel a dilapidated home so children living in extreme poverty could have a place of safe haven. That by the time I returned home, I would have a new desire to seek adventure and help people in need.

After landing in Mexico and meeting up with the people I would be working with during a three-day mission trip, we were crammed into a bus and spent the next two hours getting to know each other. We were there to build homes for a multitude of families in the town of Xochimilco, Mexico. When we arrived late in the afternoon, we were led to an empty school where we would spend our nights. Sleeping on the floor next to school lockers with bugs buzzing in my ears in a country I did not know well was an interesting experience to say the least—but that was just the beginning. At dawn, the real work began and so did a change in my thinking that had a dramatic effect on my perspectives about life.

I saw kids of all ages living with a burden pinned to their backs. However, they did not show it. They were just like me, a normal kid. Yet everyday they had to live in a sort of jail. Following a strict schedule when to eat, play, sleep, and go to school. They couldn’t hop in the car with their mom and go to the mall. The things I take for granted were what they were praying for. While here my fellow life teen members and I came together as a sort of beacon of light to play with and be a friend to these kids. We all came together to achieve a common goal and help those in need. This experience really hit home with me as I underappreciate all the little things in life that I should be grateful for. Trying to live a selfless life can be hard, but I will continue to help my community and those in need throughout my

In my lifetime, many experiences have changed my character, with the most memorable being the mission trip I took to Parmelee, South Dakota. This endeavor showed me how to be caring and love everyone, despite their circumstances. Although it took time, I learned to show kindness to everyone and not just the people I feel comfortable around. During my missions work, one child revealed to me how to be compassionate to people who may not deserve it, and to give to other unconditionally.

My youth was devoted to being an example and role model for my family. Something I could never accomplish if not for the summer after my father left. We were invited to a summer camp where I gave my life to Christ. It was only with His help and the guidance of my pastor that I was able to carry such a load at a young age. It wasn’t until I was away at college, that I met and counseled with a new pastor, that I realized I was carrying a burden that should never have been mine to

Over the summer I went to Nashville, Tennessee for a missions trip with my youth group. During the trip, I experienced many awkward and embarrassing situations that I wish I didn’t have to live through. Even though there were powerful worship services, memories made, and friendships formed, the week was pretty hectic. There were three particular incidents that really stick out when I think of Missions Trip 2016. These incidents include an atrocious crew and crew leader, a flirtatious man, and a scary church where we stayed.

University of the Pacific in its History and Mission web page states, “University of the Pacific's mission is to provide a superior, student-centered learning experience integrating liberal arts and professional education and preparing individuals for lasting achievement and responsible leadership in their careers and communities.” (Pacific.edu, 2015). This mission drives how the Center for Professional and Continuing Education (CPCE) operates and in many ways the culture within the department.

This experience taught me how to receive someone else’s blessing. I have always been a giver, so to be on the receiving end of things was very humbling. I found a strength in myself, that I didn’t know I possessed. I had to be strong for myself, my children, my husband (he had enough to focus on with work and the house.) My endurance to keep moving forward and helping others along-the-way, taught me and reminded me that, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13. God’s love was shown to us and through us. People from New York to California and everywhere in between came to the Gulf Coast, to help all in need. It was so refreshing to see first hand, the body of Christ at work. I believe, that it is important to give back and I feel that I can accomplish that with a Health Care Administration

On July 10th, 2015 one of my best friends, Lexi Kretsch died in a car crash on her way back from Mankato. Personally, it was a really hard thing to go through and I would never wish that upon anyone, but it is the circle of life and she is in God’s hands. Lexi and I had played softball together for two years. After she passed away prematurely, it was difficult to play the game that brought us together. Jen Kretsch, Lexi’s mom, then started to contact telling me to play for Lexi and her legacy.The item that helped me the most was the Bible. I would take out passages that would pertain to me for that day and I would feel as if she was talking to me. I learned how to play/live with the hole in my heart. Feeling that emptiness made me start to

Upon arrival, our first activity was to work in the trailer park. While these people were not homeless, they were in quite severe poverty. However, they were nothing like one may expect. One was a very friendly older woman who had worked and gone to college in her younger days but she had been abducted and hurt severely in her twenties. Even though that happen, she was cheerful and had poetic talents. Another was a family whose screen door we replaced because they could not afford a new one. The father was hard working and was made sure all of his children had an education and a roof over their head while the mother cooked and cleaned. Each was doing their part to make the best of their lives. The last was a middle aged couple who needed their trailer badly cleaned. They not only were thankful but they prayed over our group before we left. We a blessing to each of their lives but, they were to ours as

David has signed up for a one-week backpacking adventure in the Colorado Rockies with Outward Bound. His excitement was growing, he felt as if he could finally become one with nature. That is, until he looked into the mirror. It was almost as if he were aging backwards, he did not resemble a man. His boyish features seemed everlasting, how is he supposed to gain respect during this adventure from his fellow backpackers if he looks as if he belongs in an Abercrombie and Fitch catalogue? Everybody knows that half of the adventure is looking the part; it gives a one the chance to appear rugged, dirty, like a true mountain man.