When I was eighteen I signed up for a mission trip with my church.
We signed up to travel down south and help clean up after one of the hurricanes that had struck the region.
Now I will say that I was nowhere prepared for what I was about to experience. I signed up because I felt I could help out and have a good time with my friends as well. I figured we would do some clean up work for a few hours each day and then hang at a hotel by the pool for the rest of the time. Boy was I wrong! Our accommodations turned out to be the floor in a gymnasium with sleeping bags and cots. There wasn’t a pool and we were only allowed to shower every other day because water was in short supply. The biggest issue I had was the lack of air conditioning. The power in many parts of the town was not even up and running and those who did have it were asked not to drain the system by using their HVAC systems. It was hot and muggy so sleeping was nearly impossible. When I was allowed to take a shower I found myself using cold water just to get some relief. When I slept I dreamt of home where I could enjoy a hot shower and then the cool relaxing feel of the air conditioning blowing over me. I just wanted my nice comfortable bed and surroundings. After seeing what those people went through and all that they lost I don’t think I will ever take my home for granted again.