This was my first year going on the mission trip, and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. The opportunity to truly impact the lives of others in a positive way is not one that comes along often, and getting to do so with such a supportive, motivated group of people was truly incredible.
Many great artists and philosophers have said that labor has been the source of some of their greatest insight, and though the long days of roofing and building in the heat and humidity were strenuous (and not the best smelling), the opportunities for spiritual growth and understanding were bountiful.
In all things we learned to work as a team, we had to learn to anticipate each other’s needs, especially when some of us were working on the roof of a two-story house while others worked on the ground, greatly limiting our ability to communicate. We had to learn to trust the people we were working with; that they were watching out for us and we were watching out for them. At meals we shared poetry and quotations, in the car we swapped stories, and in everything we shard our laughter. This trust and support was especially important to me because I was unable to attend Youth Group for the majority of the year and was only able to participate remotely. The openness and accepting atmosphere we created made me feel instantly like a part of the group.
On behalf of myself and everyone on the trip I would like to thank the entire congregation for your generosity, and for understanding how vital it is for is to have these spiritual experiences, and to expand our community and minds.
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First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee is a home for spiritual community, social justice, and intellectual freedom, active in Milwaukee since 1842. Unitarian Universalism is an inclusive denomination; core principles include recognition of the worth and dignity of every person; respect for the interdependent web of existence; and the goal of world peace, liberty and justice.