by Sarah Choate, Senior Features Writer
It may not seem like it now that everyone is smothered with end-of-the-year projects, exams and to-do lists as long as an 8 a.m. class feels, but less than three full weeks ago, we were on spring break. Some students soaked up some sun on vacations; others vegged on the couch and enjoyed mom's home cooking; some groups spent their spring break serving on various mission trips. In particular, 32 students from both Asbury University and Ohio Christian University teamed up with GO InterNational to minister in Trinidad and Tobago as part of the "Great Spring Break" trip.
GO InterNational plans to make this mission trip to Trinidad and Tobago an annual trip and has already settled on a date for next year: March 14-22. It's not too early to start thinking about how you might like to spend your spring break next year.
First, this calls for a brief geography refresher. Both Trinidad and Tobago are Caribbean islands off the coast of Venezuela which serve as both a mission field and a chance for students to spend spring break exploring the culture and enjoying the weather of the Caribbean.
Though these countries are in South America, the people of Trinidad and Tobago primarily speak English. According to Bert Jones, President and CEO of GO InterNational, these countries are very culturally and religiously diverse; more than 50 percent of the population practices either Hinduism or Islam.
Because there was no language barrier-only an "accent barrier" as junior Kristin Knapton, a participant of the trip, put it-students were able to easily share their faith directly with the people of Trinidad and Tobago. Junior Joyce Chu said, "Since we actually got to openly talk to the people about Christianity, it seems like we are actually changing people's lives."
While in Trinidad, the group worked in a variety of different ministries. "It's a great way to get your feet wet, I guess, because there are a lot of different mission opportunities," freshman Mandy Smith said. She went on to detail the many types of ministries the Trinidad and Tobago team were involved in: they did everything from putting on skits and sharing testimonies at nursing homes and juvenile boys' prisons to putting on a vacation Bible school and building a wall for the compound they stayed in.
And since the trip had so many different ministry opportunities, each student was able to put his or her skills to work and develop themselves further. "Everyone had something different and special to bring to the ministry we were doing," Knapton said. Other members of the team expressed the same sentiment, highlighting that everyone was able to be used in different ways. Smith said, "It was interesting to see how everyone came alive during different points in the trip-with their spiritual gifts." And Chu noted that on the trip, "everyone [got] to have a moment to shine."
Ultimately, God worked in the lives of not only Trinidad/Tobago natives on this trip, but also in the lives of Asbury students. "I think one reason most students should consider going with us is that this trip is not only a great blend of work, ministry, culture and fun, but it is also designed to focus on ministering to students." Jones said of GO InterNational. "We spend some time each day challenging kids in hearing from God, surrendering to God and discovering God's call for their lives." In this way, GO InterNational helps students grow closer in their relationship with God by providing them with the opportunity to live out their faith and love on people in a different country.
If you're considering participating in the "Great Spring Break" trip to Trinidad and Tobago, find someone who went on this year's trip and ask them how God used them and about how much fun they had "liming"-a Trinidad word for hanging out-with each other and the people of Trinidad and Tobago. If you don't know anyone who attended this trip, Bert Jones of GO InterNational would be glad to talk with you about this opportunity; shoot him an email at ceo@gointernational.org.
