Aurora's Mission Trip Reflection

By Aurora Fawcett ('28)

My name is Aurora Grant and this year I had the opportunity to go on the Philadelphia Mission Trip. My leaders were Mr.Philbrick, Mrs. Sicard, Mr. Martens and Mr. Burgher. We worked with the minister “The Philly Project” and I was apart of the painting group, and my missionary was Genesis.

This trip has taught me so many lessons and helped me grow in ways I didn’t expect. Working with The Philly Project opened my eyes to the importance of serving others with compassion  and love. I realized how often I take simple things for granted, and how powerful it is to show up for people with a genuine heart. One spiritual lesson I’m taking home is that true impact doesn’t always come from big actions, but from being present and intentional. I want my life to be different based on this trip, I want to live with more purpose, more compassion, and a deeper trust in God’s plan, even when it’s hard to or seems impossible.

The whole trip experience was so amazing, and I’m incredibly grateful I had the opportunity to be part of it. One of my favorite highlights was visiting Sight & Sound Theatre, the performance was so powerful and brought the stories to life in a way I’ll never forget. Another special part of the trip was how everyone grew closer, not just in friendship but also spiritually. It was really meaningful to see how we all connected on a deeper level, encouraging and supporting one another throughout the experience. Moments like those reminded me how important community and shared faith can be.

I  just want to take a moment to say a huge, genuine thank you to everyone who made this trip such a powerful and unforgettable experience. First, to my mom, thank you for always being my biggest supporter, even from a distance. Your love and encouragement were with me every step of the way, and I’m so grateful for everything you do. Mr. Philbrick, thank you for leading this trip with such dedication and heart. Your guidance helped shape this entire experience, and I truly appreciate the way you brought everyone together. Mrs.Sicard, thank you for being like a second mom to all of us girls. Your kindness, patience, and care didn’t go unnoticed, and you created a space where we felt safe, seen, and supported. Genesis, thank you for being our missionary, for leading our painting group with such joy and purpose, and for putting so much love into every meal you made for us. You made us feel at home, and your spirit really kept us going. And finally, Alicia thank you for preaching at chapel and sharing your heart with us. Your words touched me deeply and truly woke something up inside of me. You helped me see things in a new way, and I’m so thankful for that. To the whole community that supported this trip: thank you. Your prayers, encouragement, and behind-the-scenes help made this all possible. I’ll carry these memories and lessons with me for a long time moments.

A way that I can continue living a mission minded life here at home is by being intentional with how I serve and love the people around me,whether that’s through small acts of kindness, encouraging others, or just being there when someone needs support. I learned this on my trip because I saw how powerful it is when a group of people come together with a shared purpose. It showed me that living with a mission mindset isn’t about where you are, but how you choose to live each day, with purpose, compassion, and a heart to serve.