Before the Beginning

by Ivy Ingle, 6-month Caribbean Immersion team member

Photo by team leaders @wearethehendersons

Currently I am sitting on a hotel bed in Ft. Wayne, IN, after the long, snowy drive from Asheville, contemplating what the past 6 months have taught me, and considering the unknown adventures the next 6 months will bring. Tomorrow starts a new chapter; I am stepping out.

Tomorrow I begin my 6-month long IMMERSION journey with Experience Mission. I will be traveling with 12 other young people to Harlem, Haiti, Jamaica, and Belize. We will be spending 2 weeks in Harlem, NY, serving together with the Salvation Army, then about 1 month in Petit Goâve, Haiti; 2 months in Catadupa, Jamaica; and 2 months in Siete Millas, Belize. We will be learning how to "live our mission," by living with host families, building relationships, and serving in schools and churches. We will be immersed in new languages and cultures, and will learn how to break down cultural barriers in order to live in Christian community with people from many other walks of life.

About a year ago, I was consumed with college applications and struggling to decide what I wanted to do after my graduation from high school. I realized that this was the first time in my life that I had the opportunity to do something different with my life. I didn't have to go straight to school, so why not pause, and change direction for a little while? So I deferred enrollment to the colleges I was accepted to, and starting searching for opportunities to step out of the ordinary. It took time, patience, lots of prayer, and trust, but after months of seeking out God's will, I came across the IMMERSION program through Experience Mission.

The program seemed perfect, and exactly the way I wanted to spend my time away from school, but the price tag gave me immediate reservations. I would have to raise close to $10,000 in just 3 months, which of course sounded completely impossible, but I decided to step out on faith and trust that God would provide. My fall was spent working two part-time jobs and fundraising full time, while most of my friends were taking on their first semesters of college. Many times I was lonely, bored, frustrated, and doubtful, but God provided every dollar I needed, and encouragement from so many incredible friends.

I have already learned so much about trusting God to lead me, and knowing that he is constantly working, even when I am waiting for answers. Very soon I will be stepping out of this familiar culture and into a new one, in order to see life from a new perspective. I am ready to step away from everything familiar for awhile, and I am excited to gain knew experiences and learn about God, myself, and the world I live in. I know it is impossible to grow or strengthen my faith while settled in my comfort zone, so tomorrow I am stepping out, into the adventure of a lifetime.

You must have a group size of at least 6 members to join this trip. Please view the Small Team trips or call our Servicing Department for more options at 888-475-6414.

View Small Team Trips

For most trips, you must have a group size of at least 6 members. Please view the Small Teams tab on each Community page or call our Servicing Department for more options at 888-475-6414.