Count the Cost. It’s Still Worth It. The Lord used this time to point out areas of my life that needed to change. Being surrounded by imperfect but committed believers in a new environment is a bigger blessing than you can imagine. I hope that if you read this, that you choose to set aside time to break from the rush of American life. It’s worth it. I promise.

Transformative Experiences What made our experience impactful wheather this is your 1st Mission trip or 100th was that we dealt with: -Personable people -Responsive Help -Transformative opportunities to allow students and adults make an impact in someones life which may only be one (1) but as a result you are forever changed how you think, act, and treat other people -Multiple

I do not recommend EM/IMMERSION I learned and experienced a lot. I was able to witness to many and see Jesus work. However, EM has a lot they need to work on, they have a multitude of areas they need to work on. Their communication with each other and with team members is terrible. Their standard of conduct is not well monitored and kept up. They have no good emergency plans. I could go on but I don't want to include things that may affect other people. I do not recommend this organization and I will never be associated with them again.

People Over Projects When we arrived at La Iglesia Familia, we were greeted by Diane and Ed, who gave us a great overview of what our week might be like. From the very first meeting with them, we knew that God was guiding us in our work for the week. Our group really wanted to be able to make connections within the community. We had been praying for this before and during our trip, and our prayers were answered ten-fold. We had so many opportunities to talk with, pray with, and learn from people in the community. Every day was a different experience and we really got to live out the "people over projects" approach of mission. This, to me, is so important and I'm glad we were able to take part in this mission experience.

Good opportunity It is sometimes nerve racking going into an experience that is so different and so new than what you are used to doing. This trip definitely took me out of my comfort zone and into feeling awkward and out of place, but it is in those moments that growth happens. I learned so much about Cuba and how God is working there and also about myself... things to work on and see differently in my own life. I am very grateful that experience missions gives people my age a safe and helpful way to go overseas to see how God is working across the world.