Ed and Kelly recently returned from going on a short-term mission trip to Eucador, South America with Calvary Church. It was an exciting and rewarding trip for the couple, especially since it was Kelly’s first international mission. She explains, “Words fail me because it was one of the best things I have been privileged to be a part of.” Ed summarizes it by saying, “The positive impact on your life is long-lasting and gives you a new perspective in your daily living.”

Ed has travel on other mission trips before, both within the United States and internationally, and says “the only skill you need to have is to be willing to surrender and go outside your comfort zone a little. It doesn’t matter what you skill level is in construction, you just need to have a willing heart. It was exciting to go because you’re leaving home and the only agenda you have is to show up at your destination and be available.”  Kelly, who has been a part of mission trips but only within the United States, explains her feelings about going by saying “I was apprehensive about the scope of the trip because when we were first asked to participate, the trip was not defined yet so I wasn’t sure where I would fit in and how I would be able to contribute. We just signed up with no idea what the trip would be about – just that we were needed.”

The mission trip Ed and Kelly went on was to help with building a Christian school for children. “We were also asked to participate in a local church service and through a translator,” Ed explains, “I was able to give my testimony, along with another individual. We also were asked to lead a kids’ club that was based at the church the next evening. It was a lot of fun.”

“It still surprises me, each time, that it doesn’t matter what skills you possess,” Ed says. “Although I can do basic repairs around the house, I have a desk job during the week so I am happy that skills play such a minor part in the equation.”

“As with the others trips, it also was a very valuable experience for me,” Ed explains, “because it’s not so much what you do when you’re there, but the impact the experience has on your life when you return – that’s the real value.”

So what was it like to have your spouse with you? “This knitted us closer as a couple than ever before. It was a powerful, positive thing for our marriage that I wouldn’t have anticipated,” says Kelly. Ed agrees, and says, “Although Kelly isn’t new to trips, this was the first one we went on together and it was nice to have someone to share the days with you and be able to process what you both see in another culture and environment.”  They do not always have available some of the basic things we take for granted, like electricity. It is eye-opening and gives you perspective. The recurring theme that you are exposed to is that we are blessed. We have so much more than we need.”

“Overall,” Ed recaps, “It is a wonderful experience that allows you to develop deep friendships with people you never even knew before in church. It also gives you new perspective in your daily living and in your life.”

For more information and to pray for upcoming short-term missions trips, click here