Article May 11, 2015 Issue

Nothing could hold me back

Sophia-Annette Hathaway

Ever since my first year of summer camp, when I overcame homesickness, I’ve used the analogy that we are like snails and turtles, taking our home with us wherever we go. I like the idea that our home isn’t a place; our true home is our consciousness of God’s presence, where we can feel loved, and close to our family and friends, whether they are physically with us or not.

This idea has helped me through many of my traveling experiences and was on my mind in the months leading up to my trip to Peru with a group of teens who were Christian Scientists. I thought of these friends as family. I kept knowing that I would be in my right place. I also kept in mind the idea that God is with me wherever I go. I used these ideas to prayerfully prepare for my trip.

When the day to go finally came, I met up with my group in Miami, and we took a flight to Lima, Peru. Once there, we took another flight to nearer where we would be staying and helping in a small village. This was to be our “service trip,” where we would be doing practical things to help out the villagers.

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