Live Like It’s HVC Every Day

Cambrie Vergeire, a young volunteer from Denver, went on the Philippines Volunteer Corps this past Christmas. She shares about the profound spiritual impact the trip had on her...

The Philippines HOPE worldwide Volunteer Corps was the most life-changing trip I have ever taken. I traveled with my dad, and during this trip, we were able to build houses and extend stores, repair and paint boats, and spend time with the community. We laughed, sweated, swam and danced together. Although these moments were temporary, the impact this experience left on me will last forever.

Coming home, I dreaded returning to my mundane schedule. Compared to serving in a foreign country, school and other responsibilities sounded much less fulfilling. Unfortunately, I couldn’t stay back in the Philippines; however, I could live as if I were on a HVC trip every day. It’s easy to view the needs overseas to be greater than the influence or reach I have locally. But, my backyard is a mission field, and I need to take ownership of that.

Serving the people in the Philippines helped me to have a change in perspective. I grew closer to God, stronger in prayer, and I also made lifelong friendships. Even though the other volunteers were of different ages, I was still able to build great relationships as we served and shared the Word because Jesus was our common ground. I want to invest in more of these types of relationships in my church, growing in praying and engaging in the Word more consistently with my friends.

Serving enhances our lives. We’re called to “go and make disciples of all nations.” Although I encounter people of “all nations” here in Colorado, I don’t truly see each part of their lives. Because of this, their challenges are not as apparent, and I may not be able to see their needs. During Volunteer Corps, we were immersed in unfamiliar situations, along with a group of people we otherwise may have never met. This pushed me to get out of my comfort zone, to get vulnerable, and to form friendships with people who called me higher. On this HVC, we had the chance to buy Christmas gifts for a child. My dad, Edwyn, was paired with a little boy, also named Edwin. On Christmas Eve, we met the families of the children we had bought presents for. My heart broke hearing about little Edwin’s home life. With no parents, his eldest sister, at the age of 16, cares for their family of nine. Despite their circumstances, this family overflowed with joy.

Living in America is a true blessing. My challenges are so small compared to those that Edwin and his family face. I need to work on rejoicing in my hard times and being grateful for my challenges, as I know they will produce perseverance, just like James 1:2-4 teaches. This scripture reflects the exact heart I saw in Edwin’s family and so many others. God really softened my heart, revealing to me how blessed I am. I see this in many parts of my life. However, am I always thankful for my situation? Not always. My trip showed me that I need to repent and make sure my heart is truly grateful.

Although I have been to the Philippines, I didn’t fully engage with the community before this Volunteer Corps. On previous trips, I was just an outsider looking in. On this trip, I not only became lifelong friends with the other volunteers but also with the families we served. As a disciple, I was able to see the trip through a different lens. It was clear that God was working.

During this trip, my heart became like molded clay as God squeezed, shaped, and poked holes in my character, revealing where I needed to grow. By the end of the trip, He pulled out beautiful pieces from that lump of clay and created a new masterpiece: a willing heart. I am so inspired as I plan to engage more with my community, to work on having a heart of gratitude, and to rely solely on Him in everything I do. I hope that each one of you can have the opportunity to experience this same transformation someday.

Here is a video captured by Cambrie:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lE-SdEwqpAQ