Sharing God’s Stories

Just the beginning:

Haiti, 2018

When I was 15 years old, I decided to go on my first mission trip to Haiti. It truly did not make any sense for me to go other than that it was in Gods plan. I did not know anyone on the trip, my relationship with God was pretty much nonexistent, and (like most 15 year olds) had no money. I remember just having this overwhelming feeling that I needed to go. This trip was the first time I had ever experienced the presence of Jesus. Seeing the daily challenges so many face—yet also witnessing their resilience and spirit—made me reflect on just how blessed I am in ways I’ve often taken for granted.

In 2018, Haiti went into a political unrest on July 9th. On July 9th, my team along with several others were put on lock down. Protesting included lighting the roads and vehicles on fire, and robbing vehicles that decided to go against the protest. The United States News claimed that our groups were being held captive… that was not true.

God provided protection, provision, life changing realizations, and an understanding of faith that absolutely kickstarted my life. God shaped me into who I am today through the blessings and miracles I was able to witness. I absolutely fell in love with missions.

Trip 1 — The Dominican Republic, 2022

“I can breathe again.”

A sweet man came to our medical team. A tumor grew through his nose, all the way outside of his nostril. He hadn’t been able to breathe or smell for almost 20 years. He often felt embarrassment from how it made him look. After his surgery, he cried from the excitement - from something we often take for granted. He gathered the whole team, and thanked us individually. After plenty of waves and a few hugs, he looked at a team member and said…

“I would love to take you fishing”.

And we laughed and prayed. Thanking God for a wonderful surgery and his family. This was one of the first surgeries I had ever seen.

My Daughter

At almost 3 years old, a little girl had lost almost all of her hearing. Her father came to our team. He explained through tears that their family struggled, and they were unable to communicate with their baby girl. It was a plead for help, so we prayed.

By the grace of God, we were able to get in contact the right people. We were able to deliver a hearing aide for this sweet girl free of cost. She is now able to communicate with her family.

Dr. Harvill

“Uncle Marty”

Who would have thought a biology professor from Baylor University would have the slightest impact on my life? Certainly not me. But after meeting meeting Marty, my perspective and life changed.

Marty Harvill pours his heart into every single thing he does. He crams as much science material he can in his luggage, just so children are able to accurately measure in their biology class. He instills confidence and joy into everyone he meets. He cries when talking about the growth of his students. He makes fun, he tells bad jokes, and he often jumps in the pool fully clothed.

I can say with 100% certainty, he has touched THOUSANDS of lives. By being such a representation of God love, he showed me how to live life meaningfully and authentically.

MY Baptism

Here is an entry from my journal from this trip after my baptism…

“I have finally realized the magnitude of love that Jesus has for me, and I learned to put every single bit of trust in him. I could not have imagined the things I have learned on this trip. I have given my scars away, I got to experience medical miracles first hand, I looked into the eyes of children and felt at peace, and I saw God work through others. I have gained some of the most genuine friends, and I have laughed so hard. This trip taught me how to maintain peace, how to give it all to God, and the importance of taking risks. I am so incredibly blessed to be apart of this journey. ”

A good majority of my life I struggled with finding peace, mental health, and learning to grow from parts of my past. When I realized I did not have to bear that by myself, my life changed.

When you try to pick up a cross that you cannot carry, you begin to realize that God not only picks up that cross but you along with it. True peace can only come from above.

Grief & Suffering

I was in charge of presenting a morning devotional to the group on Tuesday morning about stress and anxiety. That was my plan at least. As some of you may know, God often has a different plan.

Late Monday night, around 1 am, I decided to put a large “X” over everything I had prepared for my talk. Something just came over me where I felt like I needed to change it. The topic on the top of my page was now “Grief and Suffering”. Not everyones favorite topic. That morning I chose to talk about a story of a friend who tragically passed away in his 20s, due to an accident on the water. It was hard for me to share with a group full of strangers, and frankly I was doubtful anyone would relate.

After the devotional. I had multiple people reach out to me separately about tragic losses in their lives. One being a trip participant who lost his brother in his 20s, who passed away from an accident on the water. As we shared stories, the similarities started adding up, and I realized my change of heart was no longer a coincidence. God had each of us there for a reason.

Trip 2 — The Yucatan Peninsula, 2024

Village Medicine

Learning, learning, and learning more.

I absolutely fell in love with each village we worked in, not to mention family medicine. The children would swarm the bus, and the mothers would bring baskets or pots filled with food as a symbol of gratitude everyday. We were able to see cases ranging from high blood pressure and diabetes to a man with a snake bite that amputated his thumb!

Hundreds of these adults and children have little to no access to primary care. If they do, they travel for days to get there. I was blessed to be apart of a team that was able to help solve part of this problem.

When we asked to pray over patients, you could see their smiles light up. Many cried, and lots of hugs were exchanged throughout our days.

Let’s Dance

After a week long of teaching 4th, 5th, and 6th grade biology - we decided to try and wow the students and teachers. We planned to gift each student a lab coat, lab goggles, and a personalized certificate for each student. When they received these gifts, I noticed if the students were not bouncing up and down of happiness, they were crying tears of joy. Most of them had never seen a their name printed on a certificate before.

Then, they surprised US! They snuck out and changed into traditional Mayan outfits and each grade performed a traditional dance for us. I cried like a baby.

Filter of Hope

As a team, we were able to deliver 4 “Filter of Hope” devices in order for families to have clean water. Our last stop was a family of 7. A grandfather who was blind, a father with a broken wrist, a mother, and four young children. They did not have clean water to drink, or money to buy groceries. Yet, when we came by they handed out handfuls of fruit to each of us. More than likley, they did this without knowing where their next meal was coming from.

After meeting this selfless and beautiful family, we decided to donate part of our extra fundraising money to them in order to provide groceries and clothing for the children. They made sure to let us know that God had blessed them all of their lives, despite their circumstances, and how truly grateful they were.

Trip 3 — Dominican Republic, 2024

Surgeries & More

With two ENT Surgeons, two CRNAs, one nurse, and two scrub techs - the team did over 60 pediatric surgeries.

Not only was the medical team effective and amazing educators, but they were a beautiful representation of the lords love through medicine. They inspired a handful of students from Baylor University to pursue medicine in order to be the hands and feet of Jesus. My heart swells thinking of all of the amazing work they did this week. Two members of the medical team brought their teenage children, and I saw God work through families and relationships like I never have before. It was truly inspiring.

Bed Making

Majority of the people in the Dominican, and a lot of third world countries, do not have beds. Talk about something you take for granted. These people sleep on either hammocks or the concrete at night, causing horrible arthritis and pains.

As a team, we were lucky enough to find resources in order to built and donate beds to families in need. These families lives were changed by something we think is so simple.

The Next Gen

During our time in the schools, we were able to teach 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders all about Bernoulli’s Principal. Dr. Harvill packed his luggage full of paper and accessories for our activities, and they were a HIT. We built paper airplanes, and watched the kids jump in excitement when we “raced” each airplane.

In our little free time, all of the girls swarm the “American Girls” so they can braid hair and ask all about boys. The boys cling to the boys and play basketball for hours.

It is a beautiful thing to come back to the same school with the same organization. To see students you know and love, and see how God is working through their lives.

Home Visits

I stepped foot into a home that was the size of my kitchen in my apartment. A family of five. The mother stayed home in order to take care of the children, and the father was forced to leave for months at a time to find work. They invited us in their home to cook “Dominican Spaghetti”.

Their son was apart of the town, “I love Baseball Program”. The mother described it as life altering. He was taught the gospel, and was lead by faithful men who push him academically, spiritually, and in his baseball career.

After dinner was ready, I watched the oldest boy hand everyone of us a plate before himself. He proceeded to feed his youngest brother, and when his brother was finished he walked around the village with an extra plate incase anyone was hungry. This was all before feeding himself.

Trip 4, 5, 6? — Yucatan, Extended Stay Version

Pastor David

I had the privilege of meeting Pastor David, his wife Monica, and their son on my January trip to the Yucatan. I immediately loved to be around him, as did everyone. David was the jack of all trades. He somehow knew everyone in these small villages, and was constantly making sure we were all okay. A day would not go by without someone pointing out how amazing he was.

When I returned to the Yucatan in March, David was unable to walk. No accident, nothing, his legs just stopped working. Wheel chair bound. Monica had to quit her job and their son school. No one knew what was wrong with him. Monica and their son slept on the floor of a church for over 20 days in a town they were forced to move while he was in the hospital.

I had the privilege of visiting their family twice in March. The first time was indescribable. Many of the people who were there described it as the closest thing they had ever seen to “Heaven Touching Earth”. We worshiped, prayed, and cried out to God. I had never experienced anything like it in my life. When I went back on Easter Sunday, it was simply beautiful. Pastor David had nothing but thanks to the Lord, despite everything he is facing.

Although he is still unable to walk, and answers are still unclear, he knows that God is using him through his troubles. Unwavering faith.

There is Hope.

A 12 year old girl came to the village clinic, claiming she had hit her head when she fell off her bike. She was in charge of her 5 siblings. She protected them, loved on them, and they all ran to her when they cried. I spent all day with this girl, because in my gut, I knew something was very wrong. She loved school and reading and her family. I absolutely fell in love with her. Through a day of conversation I found out she was in severe distress, causing her life and death psychological problems. She was being sold.

I could not believe the things I had heard from this sweet 12 year old girl. No CPS, no access to emergency mental health professionals, no trust in the police system. I pulled my village coordinator aside, and we cried and we prayed. I went on the bus, I let it out. I prayed and prayed, and I got off the bus and I prayed again. I gave her a bracelet with the verse Ephesians 6:13-14. We shared the gospel to this young girl, and she prayed over us.

I kept her at that church all day. I could not stand to let her go home with no solution. My supervisor called everyone she knew.

We got a called before we left, saying a child protection service was able to do a psychological exam an home visit, which is pretty much unheard of in the small villages of the Yucatan. An absolute miracle from God.

Medicine & More

God blessed me with some of the most amazing and unique opportunities.

Within the 3 weeks, I was able to see incredible and faithful medical professionals be the hands and feet of Jesus.

  • Internal Medicine Doctors & OU Residents

  • UTSW Medical Students & Residents

  • Cardiology NP

  • Neonatal Nurse

  • Orthopedic, ENT, OBGYN, & General Surgeons

  • All of the incredible staff within the San Lucas Hospital and Village Clinic

I truly have never learned more in my life, both spiritually and medically.

How I Ended Up Here… For 3 Weeks.

First a foremost, I want to thank God for Brooklyn Collins. My hometown friend who took a leap of faith to follow me on a crazy adventure to Mexico for a week. Thank you for trusting me, and trusting in God.

I had zero intentions of staying in Mexico for 3 weeks.

One of the last nights of our trip, it was proposed to me to stay in Mexico, I thought that was insane. I had plans of family coming to visit in Arizona in a few days, I had a flight to catch, and I certainly did not pack for three weeks.

I was told to pray about it. I did, and everything changed. I knew I needed to stay after everything I had seen the past week.

The next day, I found myself on the phone with my father. He confirmed all of my doubts, and to be honest, he was pretty much yelling at me (sorry dad if your reading this). He was not on board with me staying at all, and thought I was a lunatic. There was nothing on that call that gave me hope of staying. I let out a few tears of frustration and disappointment, and accepted it.

Five minutes later, my dad called, and for whatever reason he had changed his mind completely (thanks Lynn). But- I couldn’t swing the price of changing my flight.

My bags were packed, in the bus and ready to go to the airport. Five minutes before leaving, an anonymous donor paid for my new flight back. I stayed, and it changed my life completely. God blessed me with lifelong friends (L&G), two incredible faithful women to look up to (K&B) and countless invaluable experiences. I am so unbelievably grateful.

A special thank you to:

My mother, my step dad Matt, my Aunt Lindsay, my cousin Mia, and my brothers Kaleb and Jude.

I cannot thank you enough for your grace.

Trip 7 — Egypt, 2024

Dr. Maghed

I was invited to Egypt to help the nonprofit that I worked with investigate different medical and humanitarian opportunities surrounding Cairo. In the process of this, I met Dr. Maghed, ENT surgeon. This man had a faith unlike anyone I had ever met in my life, and that faith had been tested several times throughout his life. In his 20s, he had gotten into a severe car accident, which many doctors said should have killed him. He broke nearly every single bone in his face, and was impaled by a metal rod. He says that was the first time he had ever met Jesus, and that Jesus saved his life that day. He went on to be a devote christian. Years later, he had 2 children, both born with cerebral palsy. He was constantly bouncing back and forth between taking care of his children, and going to pray with local going through a tough time. One night on his way home, he fell asleep at the wheel. His car submerged into the Nile River and he passed out. The car was submerged underwater for 15 minutes, and Dr. Maghed lived. He survives today to tell the story about in his life, Jesus Saved.

Dr. Camelles Wife

Dr. Camelle’s wife has one of the most inspiring stories I’ve ever heard. She grew up in Egypt, where being a woman often meant having your dreams limited before they could even begin. On top of that, being a Christian in a place where that alone could make you a target added a weight most of us will never understand. But she refused to let those circumstances define her. With courage, grit, and deep faith, she pushed through every obstacle and became a doctor—a role she didn’t just earn, but lived out with incredible compassion and strength. Her journey is a powerful reminder tthat faith and determination can carry someone far beyond what the world expects of them.

Life Beyond Disability

Living with a disability like autism or Down syndrome in Egypt can be incredibly challenging, especially due to social stigma, limited public awareness, and a lack of adequate support systems. Some people born with a disability are forcibly hidden from the public, and kept secret in their homes for the entirety of their lives. Many families struggle to find proper education, therapy, or medical care for their children, often facing judgment or exclusion from their communities. We were blessed to meet this family, who started a nonprofit school in order to educate those with disabilities in Cairo, which is pretty much unheard of. We spent the day touring the school, and watching the impact that this had throughout the children and community.

Trash Town

Visiting "Trash Town"—known locally as Manshiyat Naser—in Cairo as a Christian is a deeply emotional and humbling experience. This impoverished area, where thousands of Coptic Christians live, is home to the Zabbaleen, a community that has survived for generations by collecting and sorting the city’s garbage by hand. The smell is overwhelming, the conditions are harsh, and yet, within the chaos, there is something sacred. Tucked into the cliffs above the town is the Cave Church of Saint Simon, one of the largest churches in the Middle East, carved directly into the rock. It’s a place where faith rises above squalor—where hymns echo off stone walls and people gather with a joy and reverence that transcends their surroundings. As a Christian visitor, you can’t help but feel the weight of their hardship—but also the strength of their faith.

Trip 8 — Honduras, 2024

Baby Born

With two ENT Surgeons, two CRNAs, one nurse, and two scrub techs - the team did over 60 pediatric surgeries.

Not only was the medical team effective and amazing educators, but they were a beautiful representation of the lords love through medicine. They inspired a handful of students from Baylor University to pursue medicine in order to be the hands and feet of Jesus. My heart swells thinking of all of the amazing work they did this week. Two members of the medical team brought their teenage children, and I saw God work through families and relationships like I never have before. It was truly inspiring.

Bed Making

Majority of the people in the Dominican, and a lot of third world countries, do not have beds. Talk about something you take for granted. These people sleep on either hammocks or the concrete at night, causing horrible arthritis and pains.

As a team, we were lucky enough to find resources in order to built and donate beds to families in need. These families lives were changed by something we think is so simple.

The Next Gen

During our time in the schools, we were able to teach 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders all about Bernoulli’s Principal. Dr. Harvill packed his luggage full of paper and accessories for our activities, and they were a HIT. We built paper airplanes, and watched the kids jump in excitement when we “raced” each airplane.

In our little free time, all of the girls swarm the “American Girls” so they can braid hair and ask all about boys. The boys cling to the boys and play basketball for hours.

It is a beautiful thing to come back to the same school with the same organization. To see students you know and love, and see how God is working through their lives.

Home Visits

I stepped foot into a home that was the size of my kitchen in my apartment. A family of five. The mother stayed home in order to take care of the children, and the father was forced to leave for months at a time to find work. They invited us in their home to cook “Dominican Spaghetti”.

Their son was apart of the town, “I love Baseball Program”. The mother described it as life altering. He was taught the gospel, and was lead by faithful men who push him academically, spiritually, and in his baseball career.

After dinner was ready, I watched the oldest boy hand everyone of us a plate before himself. He proceeded to feed his youngest brother, and when his brother was finished he walked around the village with an extra plate incase anyone was hungry. This was all before feeding himself.

  • Dream it.

  • Build it.

  • Grow it.

  • Sell it.

Trip 9 — Dominican Republic, 2025

Surgeries & More

With two ENT Surgeons, two CRNAs, one nurse, and two scrub techs - the team did over 60 pediatric surgeries.

Not only was the medical team effective and amazing educators, but they were a beautiful representation of the lords love through medicine. They inspired a handful of students from Baylor University to pursue medicine in order to be the hands and feet of Jesus. My heart swells thinking of all of the amazing work they did this week. Two members of the medical team brought their teenage children, and I saw God work through families and relationships like I never have before. It was truly inspiring.

Bed Delivery

Majority of the people in the Dominican, and a lot of third world countries, do not have beds. Talk about something you take for granted. These people sleep on either hammocks or the concrete at night, causing horrible arthritis and pains.

As a team, we were lucky enough to find resources in order to built and donate beds to families in need. These families lives were changed by something we think is so simple.

First Timer

During our time in the schools, we were able to teach 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders all about Bernoulli’s Principal. Dr. Harvill packed his luggage full of paper and accessories for our activities, and they were a HIT. We built paper airplanes, and watched the kids jump in excitement when we “raced” each airplane.

In our little free time, all of the girls swarm the “American Girls” so they can braid hair and ask all about boys. The boys cling to the boys and play basketball for hours.

It is a beautiful thing to come back to the same school with the same organization. To see students you know and love, and see how God is working through their lives.

Baptisms!

I stepped foot into a home that was the size of my kitchen in my apartment. A family of five. The mother stayed home in order to take care of the children, and the father was forced to leave for months at a time to find work. They invited us in their home to cook “Dominican Spaghetti”.

Their son was apart of the town, “I love Baseball Program”. The mother described it as life altering. He was taught the gospel, and was lead by faithful men who push him academically, spiritually, and in his baseball career.

After dinner was ready, I watched the oldest boy hand everyone of us a plate before himself. He proceeded to feed his youngest brother, and when his brother was finished he walked around the village with an extra plate incase anyone was hungry. This was all before feeding himself.

  • Dream it.

  • Build it.

  • Grow it.

  • Sell it.