July 6, 2010
Headed to the D.R.
Posted by Michael Murray
Goose Lopez-Torres, the self-professed “Snack Minister” of Student Ministries (he runs the snack bar at The Edge), will be heading off to the Dominican Republic on Friday as a leader for the Student Team. Goose was a leader on the Student DR Trip last summer as well. What made him want to join the team again this year? He loves seeing the impact the trip has on high school students.
“To see these kids voluntarily give up a week of their summer break is inspiring,” Goose said. “When I was their age, I would have never given up a week of my summer break to do something like this! For one week they unplug from their iPods, cell phones, and video games to do something that really matters. I get 3 weeks of vacation a year. To use one of them to be a part of this team is really a no-brainer for me.”
Goose hopes that the students will learn humility on this trip. If they can get a sense of what it’s really like to be in need, they may gain a new perspective on life. “I think sometimes kids, especially teenagers, believe that they have the worst life ever and no one can relate to them,” he says. “When they see some of the conditions we are about to see, it may give them a greater appreciation for what they do have.”
Goose thinks the trip will be a great way to be an example to his family and friends. He has two young sons and when they grow up, he wants them to know that their dad was faithful to God’s call. He also loves being able to talk about the trip with his unchurched friends as a way to share his faith. He hopes the high schoolers will do the same with their friends.
Please pray for Goose and the rest of the leaders and students as they get ready to go to the D.R. later this week!
