The Real Blessing | 真正的祝福

When I first heard that my mom had signed me up for a mission trip to Honduras, I didn’t think much of it—I just agreed. But as the departure date got closer, I started to get more and more nervous. The internet called it the most dangerous place in the world outside of war zones. I read warnings about human trafficking, disease, and crime. My list of worries kept growing. Honestly, the only reason I was still planning to go was because I thought it might make for a good college essay.

But the moment I arrived… everything changed. I felt a calling. I knew deep down I had been chosen to do God’s work. I saw what true poverty looked like—cardboard shacks lining the streets, with rocks on the rooftops just to keep them from blowing away. It wasn’t luxurious—not even close. But what these people lacked in material things, they more than made up for in love and generosity. Despite having so little, they were always eager to give and share.

Each night, we’d gather over home-cooked meals and sip exotic juices I’d never tasted before. There was one little boy in particular, Mateo. I had helped him make a bracelet earlier that day. He took my hand and proudly showed me around his home—just a few sheds and a dirt floor. Then, out of nowhere, he said he had a gift for me. He ran into a small shed and came back holding… a single chicken egg. His mother saw and smiled, then came out with a dozen more, wrapping them up in a bag and handing them to me. They lived in mud homes with nearly nothing, yet they gave me some of the most valuable things they owned. That moment said everything about their hearts. Their gratitude, love, and joy—despite the hardship—taught me more than any classroom ever could.

Helping them filled my heart. For once, I felt like I was doing something that mattered. Something that truly changed lives. Many of the people we saw had never even been to a doctor. I was in charge of inscriptions, writing down names, ages, and symptoms. I’d jot down conditions like anemia, parasites—even suspected Ebola. Some older adults didn’t even know their age, and I had to calculate it with the little information they could remember.

There was one woman I’ll never forget. She spoke of deep depression and dark thoughts that had been haunting her. She thought something was physically wrong and wanted to see a doctor. I remember turning to the kind woman who was helping me—her name was Suyapa—and saying, “She doesn’t need a doctor… she needs Jesus.” Suyapa nodded. We took the woman’s hands and prayed together. It was one of the warmest moments I’ve ever felt. We were right where we were supposed to be—offering hope, not just medicine.

Throughout the trip, I bonded with the children, volunteers, and church groups on a deeper level than I ever thought possible. We were one body, serving Christ. And then came the visit to the maximum-security prison—where I truly felt the Holy Spirit move. These young men had been forced into gangs just to survive. They had nothing—not even freedom. And yet… they still had faith. Faith in God. Faith in redemption. When we walked in, they greeted us with applause. They were like curious children—so excited just to see new faces. There was no hate in their eyes—only hope.

So, would I go again? Absolutely. It was the most humbling and eye-opening experience of my life. I made amazing friends and mentors. I realized how privileged we are—just to have air conditioning, running water, or even shoes. Serving under God’s will and making a true impact on people who need it most was the most fulfilling thing I’ve ever done. I met the sweetest kids with the gentlest hearts. Even the most feared criminals held onto childlike wonder and a deep desire to know God. To be the one who got to share that hope with them—that was the real blessing.

I would encourage everyone to experience it for themselves—from young teens who don’t yet realize how lucky they are, to wise elders with stories and compassion to share. There’s a role for everyone and seeing each person step into that role… is something truly beautiful.

当我第一次听说妈妈替我报名去洪都拉斯参加短宣时，我并没有太放在心上，只是随口答应了。但随着出发日期的临近，我开始越来越紧张。网上说那里是世界上除战区之外最危险的地方。我看到关于人口贩卖、疾病和犯罪的警告，我的担忧清单越来越长。说实话，当时让我愿意去的唯一的理由可能就是想着这段经历可以写成一篇不错的大学申请作文。

但当我真正踏上那片土地的那一刻，一切都变了。我感到一种呼召，让我从心底知道，我是被神拣选来做工的。我亲眼看见了什么是贫困：街道两旁是用纸板搭建的棚屋，屋顶上压着石头，以防被风吹走。那里的生活完全谈不上舒适，甚至可以说非常艰苦。但这些人虽在物质上极度匮乏，却拥有超乎想象的爱与慷慨。尽管他们所拥有的寥寥无几，却总是乐于给予与分享。

每晚我们会围坐在一起，吃着当地同工亲手烹制的饭菜，喝着我从未尝过的异国果汁。那天有一个小男孩,叫Mateo, 我帮他做了一条手链。后来他拉着我的手，自豪地带着我参观他的“家“——不过是几个棚子和一片泥土地而已。然而，出乎意料是他突然说要送我一份礼物。他跑进一个小棚子，捧出一个鸡蛋。他的妈妈看到后微笑着走出来，又拿出了一打鸡蛋，用袋子包好送给我。他们住在泥土搭建的棚子里，几乎一无所有，但却把他们最珍贵的东西送给了我。那一刻，我深深地被他们的心感动。他们的感恩、爱与喜乐——尽管处在困苦中——却比任何老师教会我的还要多。

帮助他们让我内心充满喜乐。我第一次感觉自己正在做一件真正有意义的事，一件可以改变人的生命的事。我们遇到的很多人一生都没看过医生。我负责登记工作，记录下他们的名字、年龄和症状。他们的病症包括贫血、寄生虫，甚至疑似伊波拉。有些年长者连自己的年龄都不知道，我只能根据他们记得的一点点信息来推算。

有一位女性让我永远难忘。她讲述了自己深深的抑郁之痛和挥之不去的消极绝望想法。她以为自己身体出了问题，想看医生。我转向身边正在协助我的Suyapa，我说：“她不需要医生……她需要耶稣。” Suyapa点了点头。我们握着那位女士的手，一起为她祷告。那是我人生中感受到最温暖的时刻之一。 我们正是在该在的地方，不只是带去药物，而是带去希望。

在这次旅程中，我与孩子们、志愿者们以及短宣团队建立了超乎我想象的深厚的情谊。我们是基督里的一个肢体，一起服事主。我们探访了一座最高戒备的监狱，在那里我真正感受到了圣灵的运行。那些年轻的罪犯很多是为了生存，被迫加入帮派。他们一无所有，连自由都没有。然而，他们却依然拥有信心。对神的信心，对救赎的信心。当我们走进去时，他们鼓掌欢迎我们。他们就像充满好奇心的孩子，仅仅因为看到新面孔而兴奋不已。他们眼中没有仇恨，只有希望。

所以，我会再去吗？绝对会。这是我人生中最令我谦卑、最令我开阔眼界的经历。我结识了许多令人敬佩的朋友与导师。我意识到，我们是多么的有福——我们有空调、自来水，甚至还有鞋穿。我们按着神的旨意去服事，去真实地影响那些最需要帮助的人，是我人生中做过最有意义、最充实的事。我遇见了一群最纯真、最温柔的孩子。甚至那些最令人畏惧的罪犯，内心依然保留着孩童般的好奇与对认识神的渴望。能成为那个把希望带给他们的人——那才是真正的祝福。

我鼓励每一个人都能亲身去经历一次——无论是还未意识到自己是多么幸运的少年，还是拥有丰富人生故事与爱心的长者。每一个人都有神给的角色，当我们各就各位……该是一幅何等美丽的图画啊！