Lessons Taught Through Serving by Makenzie

Lessons Taught Through Serving by Makenzie - April 2022 Scholarship Essay

When I think of a volunteer experience with a big impact on my life, my immediate first thought is to Teenserve. Teenserve is a mission oriented, week-long trip where youth get to help those in need and serve God. Teenserve is one of the most beautiful, beneficial experiences I have ever had. Through Teenserve, I have made lifelong friends and I always come back from it feeling thoroughly exhausted, but happy beyond belief.
I first attended Teenserve in seventh grade. I am now a freshman in college, and I have not missed a summer since. During the weeks of Teenserve, you get to paint houses, build wheelchair ramps, and engage in many other acts of service to those in need. This can include the elderly, disabled, single parents, and many more categories. Before attending my first Teenserve, I would never had thought enjoyment could have come from such strenuous and exhausting labor. However, after my first camp I could not wait to go back. I looked forward to the long hours in the hot sun spent painting, but also getting to know your crew members and learning huge life lessons.
The biggest lesson Teenserve has ever shown me is the glory in serving others. As I was a measly little seventh grade, I was not humble or gracious before attending. Afterwards, my entire worldview was shifted. I could now see beauty in the little things, such as how doing yardwork or painting someone’s shed when they could not could create an immense bond. I have never forgotten those whose lives I have changed through Teenserve. Now that I am headed into my second year of college, I have the privilege of serving on the Teenserve staff. Now I get to help manage and work for the same mission trip organization that changed my life. Serving on the Teenserve staff has taught me many important lessons, as there is nothing quite comparable to watching the lives and worldviews of youth change before your very eyes.
I will forever be grateful to Teenserve for taking a small, selfish seventh grader and turning her into a humbled child of God eager to find more ways to serve the Lord. Thanks to my time spent at Teenserve every summer, I have found my motivation and passion in helping others. I want to spend my life devoted to showing all the love I have to those in need. Although I cannot be sure whether or not this would be my view had I not attended Teenserve, I know that every time I attend, my passion is fueled further. I cannot wait to use the lessons Teenserve has taught me to engage with and help those in need.