Mission trip: ‘So many homeless’

“I didn’t really know what to expect because this was my first mission trip,” said Heidi Guttormsson. “I expected to work with homeless people, but I did not expect to see so many.”
While Guttormsson is a Catholic, it wasn’t unusual to see her and others from various churches exhibiting their desire to help Hope Lutheran Church take their mission to people in Southern California.
Even though they were from various churches, the mission participants banded together for one cause.
 “I think it was heart-warming just knowing that so many of us came from different congregations, but when we were there, we were one group,” said group leader and organizer Terri Myhre.
“It didn’t matter what our religious orientation was; we were working together to help others and to serve.”
The group of 43 kids and nine chaperones from various local churches recently returned home after embarking on a mission trip to help homeless and other disadvantaged people.
  They came from Hope Lutheran and St. Edward churches in Minneota, St. Eloi in Ghent, and Bethany Elim in Ivanhoe. All worked feverishly to raise funds in order to alleviate costs and make the trip possible.
They went to assist help make a better life for people in shelters, churches and health care facilities in the San Diego and Los Angeles areas.
While they went to help, they found themselves on the receiving end of some eye-opening experiences.
 “The streets were lined with tents and tarps and I had no idea that I would see something like that in the United States. It was almost like we were in a third world country,” said Guttormsson.
No doubt this mission work will spread from California and become lifetime memories.
Each day, the group worked at different sites, all geared toward making life better for others.
The trip wasn't entirely all work and no play for the 62 locals, though. They were able to take educational tours in and around San Diego and Los Angeles, spend time at the beach, participate in a bilingual worship service, go shopping, and participate in a community cookout in the church parking lot.
“Each night during the cookout, our parking lot was full of people, individuals and families, who did not have a home, but stayed in their cars,” Myhre said.
“The most memorable part of the trip for me was when we had the cookout, and all the happy faces we got,” said Lauryn Hansen, who was participating in her second mission trip.
“One lady with three children told us it means a lot that she didn't have to worry about getting warm food.”
The youth that participated in the mission got a sense of what life can be like for someone less fortunate, while also realizing how hard work can be rewarding.
“I think the kids come home with a much greater appreciation of what they have, a sense of accomplishment in knowing that they helped others, and a general gratitude for what life has given them,” said Myhre.
“They experienced and saw so many different conditions, and hear many stories, and it puts into perspective that their problems are minor. Hearing and seeing the kids fully engage in the experiences is both touching and my heart is full of pride for how wonderful these kids are. ”
During the mission trip, the group stayed in the New Life Assembly Church in San Diego; the girls sleeping in the church and the boys in the kitchen area.
“The sleeping arrangements were far from perfect,” said Guttormsson. “The girls slept in a 90-degree church with our air mattresses in between the pews.”
 “It was so hot,” remarked Hansen. “All we had were some fans to cool us down that just blew hot air.”
 Each day, a different group was assigned to prepare the meals, as well as cleaning up after the meal. And they drove to the nearest laundromat each evening to wash clothes.
Despite a few inconveniences, the trip was rewarding.
“I would love to go on another mission trip, because it just impacts me so much and how I need to be more of a volunteer back home,” said Hansen. “This trip definitely made me happy to be where I am living.”
“I appreciate my life and by having all the things I have, because the homeless worry about getting a drink of fresh water, which most people here take for granted.”
“So many of the homeless people were beyond grateful for what we were doing,” echoed Guttormsson. “They said please and thank you for every little thing we did for them. Some of them even said that they would pray for us.”
 “This trip definitely made me appreciate my life more,” said Guttormsson. “I have so much to be thankful for and this trip helped me realize how good my life is.”