Lipscomb University is always finding ways to give back to the community. University students are known to give up their summers, holidays or just some of their free time. Even a few Lipscomb athletes, already short on time, have not let that get in their way of going on mission trips.
Brent High, who is a spiritual leader for the athletes, has been taking teams/athletes to different countries in order for them to give back, whether it’s in the states, Dominican Republic or Honduras. Lipscomb athletes Kelsey Cartwright and Sarah McFarlin both had the opportunity to take a trip to Honduras.
Cartwright, who took a trip during the summer, said mission trips are important journeys for students to make.
“A person should go on a mission trip at least once in their life,” Cartwright said. “I can look back on my Honduras trip, and it helps me be extremely thankful for everything that I have.”
McFarlin just recently got back from a Christmas break trip to Honduras.
“Once a person goes on one mission trip, they always want to go on another, “ McFarlin said. “It changes the way you view things as well as your overall outlook on life. Seeing everyone work together is like a glimpse of eternity.”
Cartwright said that her trip involved a good deal of hard work, but a few surprises were to be found along the way
“We did a lot of manual labor, helping with the construction of the house,” Cartwright said. “The best part was that we only thought we were going to be working, but we got to meet kids who lived right next to the worksite. The kids wanted to work with us because they found joy in such little things.”
McFarlin said her trip was also a lot of hard work, but like Cartwright’s, there were other benefits to be found.
“We delivered food to over 60 families, and I personally got to read scriptures and pray over 5 different families,” McFarlin said.
To McFarlin, the trip allowed for her to learn important lessons that she was able to bring back home.
“It changed the way I look at things. Those people had nothing, and they were so happy. People in America have a lot more than them, but they are still unhappy.” McFarlin said.
“It really makes you question what poor is. America’s materialistic people are not poor, but spiritually they are truly poor. Hondurans have such a high value on family and relationships, and spiritually they are not poor at all. What kind of poor is most important to you?”