In the second-to-last week of March, I had the incredible opportunity to go on a weeklong mission trip to Hendersonville, North Carolina, with a group from my church. We partnered with Reach Global Crisis Response to help rebuild homes that were impacted by Hurricane Helene. While we went to serve physically through construction, the Lord did so much more than that! He worked deeply in my heart and faith and taught me lessons that I know will stay with me as I prepare for the World Race.

There were three major things God really showed me throughout this trip. He taught me about the power of prayer, reminded me that His gift of salvation is far greater than anything this world could offer, and showed me what it truly looks like to represent Christ by serving others out of love.

Throughout the week, I began to understand what it really looks like to live out my faith in real, tangible ways every day. Prayer is not something I just say, but is a direct connection to God, inviting Him into each real moment and trusting Him to work. I learned how to pray more boldly, how to be spiritually vulnerable with others, and how to represent Christ through both my words and my actions. Most importantly, this trip confirmed even more that my call to the World Race is truly from God.

One moment from the trip continues to replay in my mind. On our last day of work, our group went out for lunch, wearing our green Reach Global shirts so people would know we were there to serve, to love, and to represent Christ. After we finished eating, a woman approached my dad and me. She told us she recognized the shirts and asked if we would listen to her story and pray for her.

As she shared her heart and everything she was going through, I felt so humbled that she trusted us with something so personal. When she finished, we held hands and prayed over her, asking Jesus to meet her right where she was and give her the wisdom, courage, and peace she needed. After we prayed, she hugged us and said she felt so loved and blessed.

That moment made the entire trip worth it.

It showed me just how powerful prayer really is. It’s not just words we say, but it’s an opportunity to invite God into someone’s life in a personal way, asking Him to work in ways we can't even fathom. Prayer isn't supposed to be a routine or religious habit; instead, it's a way to worship, confess, repent, and bring our needs to God. It's also a way to intercede for others, even strangers, asking God to open their hearts to His Holy Spirit. How eloquent or biblical we sound doesn't matter when we honestly want to meet with God and ask Him to change things in only ways He can. It reminded me that sometimes the most important thing we can do is be available for God to use us, even if it wasn't planned.

Serving people who had been impacted by a natural disaster also shifted my perspective. Seeing how quickly homes and possessions can be taken away reminded me that the things of this world are temporary. But in the middle of that, one truth stood out more than ever: the gift of salvation is eternal and unshakable. Throughout that week and leading into Easter, Ephesians 2:8, which says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God," kept coming to mind.

That verse became so real to me. No material possession could ever compare to the gift we’ve been given through Jesus. His love, His sacrifice, and the eternal life we receive through Him are far greater than anything this world could offer. Everything we have on this Earth will fade away except for our gift of salvation, which can never be taken away!

This trip also taught me what it truly means to represent Christ. It’s not just about what we say. Instead, it’s about how we love, how we serve, and how we show up for others. Whether it was working on homes, encouraging homeowners, or praying with a stranger, I saw that reflecting Jesus is often found in simple acts of love and obedience, and that’s exactly what the World Race is about.

This journey isn’t something I’m doing to earn God’s approval or prove my faith through good works. It’s about sharing the Good News and telling everyone that anyone can receive the same gift of grace that I have found in Jesus. It’s about loving people the way He loves and being willing to serve wherever He calls me. It's also an opportunity to see God's character in new ways, just like I did on this trip!

These past few weeks have changed me. They've reminded me that even if everything in this world were taken away, I would still have everything I need in Jesus. Through His death and resurrection, we have been given a hope and a richness that nothing on earth can compare to.

Praise the Lord for being all I need and so much more!