Alison Bozman
For me, the missions trip started long before we got to Arizona.  This was my first year being eligible but I remember hearing about the Impact team's past trips and knowing I wanted to go.  Finally, I was able to start taking the necessary steps to become a part of the team.  I was a little worried when I found out how many people wanted to go and that some people might be cut - but, luckily, no one was. 

Then the fund raising began.  I was relieved and thankful that I had raised the required amount.  The meetings we had gave me a good idea of what to expect and helped me get to know the other people. 

Arizona was so much prettier than I expected it to be.  Being in Sells, Arizona was like being in a whole other country.  Cattle, horses, and dogs roamed in the streets and neighborhoods of the reservation.  While we were there, our group either helped with a basketball camp or a Vacation Bible School.  I helped with the basketball camp.  I enjoyed playing with the kids even if they didn't know how to play basketball.  In fact, my favorite part of the trip was getting to know and care for the Native American children.  Even if they got wild sometimes, it was all fun.  Another part of our mission was cleaning up some of the reservation.  We also painted the Church building we were staying. 

I know that this experience wouldn't have been possible if it weren't for the support and generosity of my friends and family.  I am truly grateful to Aisquith Presbyterian Church for providing me with this awesome opportunity.  God willing, I hope to go on many more missions trips. 

Larry Komenda
I want to thank everyone for all of the prayer and support they have offered the last few months as our group prepared for, and went on, the trip to Sells, Arizona.  We could not have done it without your help and without your prayers. 

This was my first missions trip, and it was a pleasure to travel to some place so far from home to spread God's word and to show His unfailing love.  I hope that our actions there that week will bring about many good things for the native people who live in Sells.  If even one person opened his or her eyes and was saved because of what we did, than that is more than enough for me to count the trip a success. 

I will be honest.  I was a little disappointed at the lack of organization once we were in Sells.   If anything, it made me think about how God does not need to conform to our sense of time or our desire to be the best church planters/trash people/VBS helpers/basketball players there ever were.  He had a plan for us that week that will accomplish his goals, and that was something that I definitely took back with me.  

Of everything we did there, however, it was the VBS that really made an impression on me.  I have never been so worn out in my entire life as the Tuesday through Thursday that I helped out there.  The kids in Sells really wanted and needed our attention and love.  the first day, I was not sure I'd be very good at giving that to them, or, even worse, at showing them god's love through me.  I feel like I did my best, and I may have even made a difference in some of their lives.  that is something that I will always remember.  Jason Loveless even had our own crew of girls that were just ours.   So I'd like to give a shout out to my main girl, Arnelle!  Everyone please pray for her that she can come to know God's love.  In fact, pray for all the kids there, even the ones who we had to be tough with because they liked causing trouble. 

The trip was very interesting and it was a good experience for me.  I look forward to next year.  Thank you, everyone, again for everything you have done. 

Sells, Arizona is an hour outside of Tucson.  It was a 3 hour time difference, which made it tough to feel not so tired when we returned home.  When we first arrived, I was a little surprised at how unorganized it was, and I began to worry that the week was going to be a disaster.  The first day we weren't assigned to anything, so they had us pick up trash along the roadside.  Along with us there were two other churches.  Calvary, a Korean church here in the Timonium area, did a Vacation Bible School for all of the Indian children.  For the week our group was assigned to paint the Church building where we were staying as well as work with Calvary on the VBS. 

At first I was not very eager about doing the Vacation Bible School, but God definitely showed me why I was there. The kids really didn't open up to anyone but they all wanted love.  They all wanted piggy back rides.  All I can say is, after the first day I didn't want to give anymore piggy back rides!  Of course, I had as many I gave as many the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th days as I did the 1st :).  We did have some trouble with some of the kids, but that, again, was God showing us how much these kids needed to hear about His love for them and needed God's love shown to them through us. 

Over all, it was a wonderful trip, and from new experiences - from no showers to the boys building our own outdoor showers, to bugs never seen before, or to roaming wild cattle and horses, God just showed me how blessed I am to have a family who loves me and cares for me.  If you think of it, would you please pray for these kids?  They need ;prayer and love. 

Carrie Burns
First and foremost, I would like to extend my gratitude to all those who aided me financially and prayerfully.  I enjoyed the trip immensely and am looking forward to attending next year.  I already miss the early mornings, friendly spirit, outdoor showers, gorgeous weather, smiling children, and new friends.  It was soda-free, television-free, and almost secular music-free for about a week.  It felt good!

Every morning began with a 5:30 wake up call.  Many rolled off their semi-deflated air mattresses and rummaged through their messy suitcases in search of their work clothes.  then, off to the bathroom we went.  Patience is a virtue when waiting in the bathroom! There were only two working toilets and a total of three stalls in the bathroom.  Next came the time to stand in the long line for breakfast, which was very delicious and well prepared. 

Our first early morning workday consisted of trash pick up.  I don't understand how that much trash can end up or how so many people can pass it by without a thought every day.  It was awful!  Jessica and I paired up and set out on a seemingly endless task to collect the junk and rubbish.  To make things difficult, we were in danger of cacti prickles, desert critters such as scorpions and rattlesnakes, as well as wild cows.  The day was hot, we wore oversized gloves, long pants, and we carried bags and water bottles.  Nevertheless, no one gave up and the result was incredible!  It looked amazing when we were finished, or at least a lot better than it did before.  Many trash bags were taken away that day. 

The following mornings, we struggled with plastic drop cloths.  In order to paint the wood paneling without getting paint on the bricks, the plastic had to be wrapped and taped around the wall.  After fighting with it the first day, we planned to leave it up to make the next day easier.  When we pulled into Church after VBS that day, we were shocked and highly amused when we saw that the plastic was no longer on the wall but stuck in cacti and wrapped around scaffolding.  Though work was different every day, an unvarying goal for us was to have someone constantly praying, and when his or her time was up, they went to get the next team member in line.  I think it was a great idea. 

After cleaning up the painting supplies, enjoying a beneficial break, and lunch, we loaded  up the van and drove the short distance to the elementary school for VBS.  We did not use individual classrooms, but instead, all the students piled into the gym.  Vacation Bible School was definitely my favorite part of the trip!  I worked with a group of kindergarteners and pre-schoolers.  They were so sweet!  Some were shy, others almost out of control, and all wanting attention.  They were all different.  One of my most memorable moments was when one of my kids, Gage, came in and plopped on my lap during big group time and put his arms around my neck while I hugged him.  One of the leaders from the Korean church snapped a picture.  I wish I had that photo.  Another sweet memory was when a girl gave me a hairpin and a set of earrings that she had just received as a gift that day.  It was easy to look past their grunginess after you understood their desire for your love.  However, I still wanted to take them all to the dentist!  their teeth were awful.  I was definitely exhausted by the end of VBS due to all the piggy back rides and running around.  By the end of the week it was hard to leave.  I wanted to take Gage home with me!

One of my favorite things to do is to meet new people and make new friends.  On top of bonding with the children, I spent time getting to know some people from Illinois, with whom I am still in contact.  Our group was always in high spirits and friendly.  I feel I knew everyone before I left on this trip but now I feel so much closer to everyone.  I even heard a compliment from Brad, from Illinois, who said, "Your group really seemed Christian".  I agree.

I do not know how much impact we really had on the children there, or if anyone is going to be there for the follow through of getting them to Church on Sunday.  I do know, however, that they needed us there to have a weeklong 'escape' from their home lives.  It makes me sad to know that when we left, they no longer had a place to 'escape' to.  I hope they could see Christ through us and that there was a spiritual impact.  I could write on and on but I would like to let everyone who is reading this know:  there was a spiritual IMPACT in my life. 

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