With all the school and church groups going around the world for mission trips, it’s important to remember that mission activity can also happen closer to home.

March 15–20 found Livingstone Adventist Academy’s high school mission group on the Yakama Indian Reservation in Washington, helping out at the All Nations Center. The trip's 24 participants represented nearly a third of Livingstone’s 80 high school students.

The major project of the trip consisted of pouring a concrete slab for a basketball court in the town of White Swan, 20 minutes from the All Nations Center. Other projects included painting, holding a Vacation Bible School, and picking up load after load of rubbish around roads and buildings.

Mission trips have a powerful effect on teenagers, and this trip was no exception. “I didn’t want to leave,” said freshman Ali Patterson. “I personally saw God in all the kids we talked with.”

Fellow freshman Andrea Punley agreed: “God worked through us in our desire to just jump in and help. Even when it was really hard, God made us willing to do whatever it took.”

Another result of the trip was an awareness of the students' own ability to help others. Sophomore Tye Forshee said, “This trip made me realize how much of a difference I can make in the world around me.”

Students were also affected by how different the culture is on the reservation, just four hours away from home. “It made me realize how much I had in my life and that we just need to love people,” said Laurel Duran, a freshman. “I hope we can go for longer next year.”