Heather Latter
Trelawney Erwin used to read about people going on mission trips and always had wanted to go herself.
Last year, she was fortunate to travel to Trinidad for two weeks through a program called “Global Expeditions.” Now she has her sights set on going to India, and possibly Nepal, next summer.
“I just feel the need to go to India,” explained the 18-year-old, who already has spent nearly a year saving for the trip but still needs to raise more funds.
“It was an extremely eye-opening experience [in Trinidad] because I got to see a whole new culture and got to experience things I’d never seen or done before,” she enthused.
“The spiritual side of it, too,” she added. “It was just absolutely amazing and uplifting.
“I got to do work for God and be His hands and feet.”
In Trinidad, Erwin participated in street ministry—talking to people on the street about God. She also organized Bible schools, like day camps, for the children, staged dramas in the market, and helped out at a clinic.
She expects to do much the same work while in India.
Erwin said India is a country she had never given any thought about visiting prior to her Trinidad trip.
“I always thought about the jungle, or Africa or Panama,” she remarked. “But when we got back [from Trinidad], they were showing us the list of countries you could go to . . . and for some reason, I just couldn’t get India out of my head.”
Erwin then began doing some research about the country, reading books and speaking to people who had visited there, to prepare for the trip, which she originally had hoped to go on this past summer but didn’t have enough money.
The one-month trip to India costs $3,853, which includes all expenses upon leaving from Texas. So Erwin also has to buy her plane tickets to Texas, as well as get shots, etc., before leaving.
The teen already has saved $1,500 but still needs to raise at least $2,500 more. And if she could earn another $1,000 on top of that, Erwin would like to do the two-month Nepal-to-India expedition instead.
She said she doesn’t have many concerns about being away from home in such a different culture.
“I think there’s too much to do to be homesick,” Erwin reasoned. “It might be a little bit stressful because you are up at five in the morning until late hours at night, using all your energy.
“It could get a bit exhausting, but it’s something I’m looking forward to.
“I’ve always loved travelling,” she added, though noting she doesn’t think she’d pursue long-term mission trips.
“But I like the short-term trips,” she said. “It’s opened up a whole new world for me.
“It’s just something I really, really enjoyed.”
To raise money for her mission trip to India, Erwin has been making and selling survival bracelets and also is hosting a local video contest.
“I like making videos and know people who do it just for fun,” she explained, adding she hopes it will generate some interest in the “creative community.”
There is a $15 entry fee and the videos can be about anything, as long as they are more than one minute long but no more than five minutes in length.
There will be two categories—one for participants aged 18 years and over and one for students under 18.
The contest runs until Nov. 30, with first prize being a “very cool” air guitar shirt that makes music.
Videos can be entered on a DVD or jump drive, and can be mailed to P.O. Box 53, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M5.
Meanwhile, Erwin also has some plans for a dinner fundraiser in the future.
For more information or to make a donation, contact Erwin at trelawnet.erwin@hotmail.com
Information about the mission trip can be found at www.globalexpeditions.com/India2012
