Meet Kendall Conley, a college student with a heart for serving others. He spent a month in Guatemala last summer, and is now more inspired than ever to bring the gospel to the nations.
You’re a college student. What led you to decide to head to Guatemala and spend your summer there serving others?
I had visited once before my internship at the same ministry for a week long trip. I prayed and prayed while I was there for God to show me what missions looked like for me long term and how I could further the kingdom in the long run. When I got back from my Christmas trip, the leaders of that trip opened up to me and said that there was a month long internship, and I should apply. After spending only a week in Guatemala, I knew that a week wasn't gonna be long enough for me to get done what God had for me and for me to build lasting relationships and begin to disciple people. I prayed about it and applied, and I couldn't have been more blessed with that opportunity!
If you could go back in time and tell pre-month long mission trip Kendall one bit of advice, what would you say and why?
Oh man, there is a ton of stuff I would tell pre-trip Kendall. First off LEARN AS MUCH OF THE LANGUAGE AS YOU CAN. We didn't have interpreters so we were just thrown into the ministry and were expected to fend for ourselves. This was kind of a blessing in disguise because it led me to further my education in Spanish, and I am now minoring in that language. Another thing I could tell pre-trip Kendall is lose all the expectations you have before going on a mission trip. I learned that in the mission field nothing is ever set in stone; plans are always changing and nothing is ever set to a schedule (in Guatemala at least).
You’ve now experienced both a short term and a long term mission trip. What do you think are the benefits of each?
There is definitely benefits for both! For short term missions the benefits are just as good as long term missions. On short term teams you get to do a lot more building and seeing work come together in a short amount of time. This gives you the opportunity to feel accomplished and feel like you left your mark on the ministry in a short amount of time, whereas in long term missions you might have to wait a little longer to see bigger projects start to come together. On long term missions I would say that the biggest benefits would be lasting relationships and Christian community; on long term missions you are obviously there for a longer time so it gives you time to get to know people and get deeper into their lives they live every day. You also get to experience what their day to day is like as well. You get to do life with them. This leads into Christian community. It's so super important to have Christian community, and I think that in long term missions you are pretty much forced to have Christian community with the people you live with because you are doing life with the people there, and you are also having to rely on your teammates to talk out things that you are experiencing and pray for one another as well.
What lasting changes have you noticed in yourself since returning home?
Living in Guatemala was not at all glamorous, not to say I would not live there long term, but going back you are always reminded of the things you have that they don't. Every time I'm in Guatemala, I always start a thing I like to call a gratitude journal. I just jot down the things I'm thankful for whenever they pop into my head, and that's a sobering thing I do to remind me of all the blessings that God has given me. I would definitely say that returning home I have noticed that I am very aware of the things I waste. I always eat everything on my plate now, and I'm always thankful for that meal that God has blessed me with. I am also constantly thinking about how thankful and blessed I am to be able to go to university and have friends and family to support me.
What advice would you give to the college student who believes missions as a whole is important but thinks the busy college life is too hectic and plans to wait and serve in the next phase of life?
GO! That's my advice. I mean it's directly stated in scripture that we are the people who are supposed to preach the gospel to the world. I think that a lot of times people use things such as a "hectic life" and "busy" as an excuse to stay in their own bubble of comfort, but our God promises us if we step out in our faith, He will be there to catch us when we fall or to provide for that financial need or to clear up plans when we think we are too busy! My advice is to step out in your faith and go serve all nations in His name!
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