“God always puts you where you need to be” was my running theme and a true testament to my experience in inner-city Chicago during spring break. Spending a week off from school, waking up everyday at seven, rebuilding, remodeling and reorganizing in what was mostly constantly 30-degree weather does not sound like your typical “fun” college-age spring break, does it?

That was how my break went, and it was one of the most awesome, inspiring and incomparable experiences one could have.

It is a life changing experience when you do your work to the glory of God as opposed to the glory of yourself or point-blank just for the money.

The work week officially started two days after we arrived in Chicago. We entered a recreational room and were faced with what seemed to be a ridiculously large, almost impossible job. The amount of railings, window frames and walls we ended up stripping and repainting ahead of the projected time was only made possible through God and great teamwork.

Having a large random group come together and work so harmoniously in such a short time was a little much for me to comprehend, as I have made futile attempts in the past to work with small groups of people I actually know. It was amazing and somewhat surreal to observe everyone working in real time, but seeing things happen so fast it seemed as it were in fast forward.

Funny story, I wanted to meet the student our teams were doing all the jobs for and on March 23, I got to assist with painting murals in the school bathrooms. It was definitely not one of the most glamorous or comfortable jobs one could have, but ironically, I got to meet the students.

I not only got to utilize my artistic talents, but painting the murals turned out to be one of my most memorable experiences from the trip.

I got to meet the students and learn about their future aspirations. I got to see that hunger and potential in their eyes as well as use the opportunity to pass on words of encouragement all in a matter of minutes. God is so awesome for affording me such an opportunity so close to the end of our trip.

Like I said, “God always puts you were you need to be.”

Making some positive changes in my current lifestyle towards the lifestyle God wants me to lead was easier in the “safety-zone” of God’s people.

I feared being unable to maintain that much-needed change upon returning to college – a lifestyle I knew so well.

God made it possible for about 40 of us to arrive in the same place, on the same mission, from so many walks of life and help build each other up and form friendships in a matter of eight days.

Building relationships with fellow Christians helped in giving me the strength I need when I am spiritually weak, and as well generally make a few more genuine friends. I came back with a renewed spirit knowing that I have their support and prayer and with my new goal in mind – to stay more in the word of the Bible.

Renewing my spirit that week definitely gave me a new and brighter outlook on life. I now look past a lot of the smaller temporary issues that clutter my vision of the big picture.

After debating whether I should go on the trip or not, God definitely sent me where I needed to be. I know this battle would not be an easy one to fight, but it is in no way impossible to win.