High Schooler Abigail Mullis went to Africa with one prayer: to be used by God to change the world. She had no idea he would change her in the process.

When I signed up to spend serve God for a month in Swaziland, I had full intentions of God using me to change the world.

But now as I look back, it’s safe to say that by spending a summer on the other side of the world, God effectively turned my own upside down.

Here are 8 Things God taught me in Africa:

1. Trust – At training camp we were told to let go of all expectations of our trip and trust God and his plan. Not knowing what was going to happen was a little stressful; I’m the person who plans out her day. I really had to rely on God and trust that he would take care of me and all the little details. And guess what? He did! Letting go of all expectations and trusting God opened my eyes to all that he does.

2. Identity – Being a pastor’s daughter, I live with a lot of eyes on me, and I feel the need to impress everyone I meet. But on this trip I realized it doesn’t matter what people think of me.

I am a daughter of the King. I am a Christ follower.

And even if someone doesn’t like or agree with me, Jesus loves me for who I am. That is enough for me.

3. Love – I still don’t understand it, but realizing God loves me no matter what has helped me love myself for who I am. It’s also helped me love everyone I see, from the guy working at McDonalds, to my grandmother, or the kids at the Carepoints in Swaziland. We might be the only way someone will experience God’s love.

*Photo by Carly Marin

4. Passion – On this trip, I’ve heard God speak to me and I’ve seen him at work in my life. The intimacy I’ve found with him is everything to me. He’s taken me deeper into prayer and into his word; my relationship is my source of strength. I want more of him in my life – more of his presence, more hearing him speak, more of seeing him at work.

And I want this hunger and joy and excitement to continue after I get home. I want this love for Christ to spread through others I talk with; I want the fire in me to spread to them.

5. Reliance on God – Sleeping on the ground, bucket bathing in cold water, not having electricity or other material comforts has made me rely on him because he is literally all I have. And that is true even when I return home.

6. Spiritual warfare – Spiritual warfare is real. There is a constant battle going on in our lives and in all the lives around us. I’ve seen it in ministry at the Carepoints, how the enemy has fought to discourage and distract us. But the presence of God inside of my team daily made the enemy flee.

7. Thankfulness – This month, I’ve learned to be thankful in everything – in sleeping on the ground, in bucket bathing in freezing water, in schedule changes, and in the unknown. I am thankful for my past and that I can look back and see all that he’s done for me. I am thankful for my future because I trust God and his love for me. I am also thankful for the present because I know that I am exactly where He wants me to be in his perfect plan.

I am thankful because I know that in anything and everything, I can trust God.

8. Missional Living – I might be home now, but this mission trip isn’t over. Just because I’m not in Africa kissing cute babies doesn’t mean I’m not a missionary. I’m on the mission field literally everywhere I go.

As a Christian, my entire life is a mission trip. I’m called to serve others, love others, and put others before myself.

Which means that the day I returned to the States was really just the beginning.

*First photo by Lucas Tillman

What Abigail found is true – so often we go on mission trips to help others learn about God and end up discovering so much about him ourselves. What did you learn when that happened to you?

Are you between the ages of 14-18 and want to go on a mission trip next summer? Click HERE to be notified when our 2016 Ambassador trips are open!

Are you an adult God is calling to serve him on the field in 2015? Click HERE to find out how you can GO to Haiti, Cuba, Thailand, Cambodia, and Nepal!