In 2002 I was invited to join jnX on a mission trip. Since then I have been privileged to go on many more trips. I've seen people come to Christ, singers find new freedom with their voice, instrumentalists learn new skills and people worshipping God with passion. jnX has had a great impact on many people all around the world! jnX has also had a great impact on me. From that first mission till now God has made me a different man.

I can think of 3 major changes in my life that have come from my involvement with jnX. The first is that I found out that I am a teacher. I had taken spiritual gift tests before and teacher was usually in the top 3, but I would dismiss it because I never had an opportunity to teach. All that changed with jnX. I've learned a lot about teaching over the last few years, but mostly I've learned that I enjoy teaching! I'm a different man.

The second thing I discovered was that I love to travel. Growing up, I had always stayed close to home. At church, I would avoid mission trips, making any excuse to not go. I liked the comfort and familiarity of home. But on jnX trips I learned that I could overcome air sickness, sleep on the floor, eat things I didn't recognize, take a bath out of a bucket and endure heat and humidity! This has made me realize that I wasn't living as simple a life as I thought. There were a lot of things I thought I needed that I now know I can live without. I'm a different man.

The last thing I discovered was that I love cultures and languages. I had never previously been in a group where I didn't speak the language of everyone around me. I'd never before needed a translator. I'd never been to Asia, Africa or Europe until joining jnX. But I learned that I love listening to people speaking. I love studying the buildings and houses and looking at shoes and clothes and what people are wearing. And I especially found that I love China and Chinese people. I know that on the outside, it appears that I was made in America. But I know my heart was really made in China. I'm a different man.

Thank you jnX and thank you God for making me a new and better man through these serving experiences.