This is my SMT story – Shannon Cabrera

In 2016 I was a part of the Mexico Team, and last year, 2017, I was a part of the Costa Rica Team. Lucky for me, I’m fluent in Spanish and found myself translating quite a bit my first year. Translating was actually one of my least favorite things to do, and it was mostly because I always thought it was something really difficult to do. It wasn’t until my final days in Mexico that the Lord made me realize that translating is a gift, it’s something that I was able to use in Mexico and in Costa Rica to serve Him. Of course it’s not the only thing I did on Summer Mission Team, we visited different Children Homes and took part in their Divisional Music Camp. Teaching timbrels was a blast!  Going to two different Spanish-speaking countries pushed me to expand my knowledge on the Spanish language and culture. My next semester in college I took a Spanish class designed specifically for Spanish Speakers and for my final year in school, I registered for 3 additional Spanish classes that would help me better my translation and communication skills.  In Costa Rica we spent the whole summer in one location and it was an Adult Rehabilitation Center, and the Concepcion Corps. On our last Sunday, we witnessed two of the men in the ARC graduate the program, and that was so special for our team. We saw the way God worked in their lives and we were so excited to have been a part of it.

I loved my time in Mexico and Costa Rica! I love every person that was on my team, and that’s something that made both of my experiences something I will always remember. Being on Summer Mission Team, you won’t just meet incredible people in the places you visit, but you’ll meet them in your team. They became my family for those two months away from home, they encouraged me, they laughed with me, they comforted me, and they loved me.
You can’t help but feel grateful for all the officers, soldiers and kids who helped us feel at home, who loved us as their own and who became dear friends. I witnessed so much passion for serving the Lord, and that’s beautiful. Being on SMT was a huge blessing from God. I remember on my last Sunday in Costa Rica, I received an email from my Corps Officer telling me that I would be preaching on my first Sunday back. And for that I’m thankful. My Corps Officers wanted me to use what I had learned and what I had done on SMT, at my corps. I am now the Program Aide and Youth Leader at my corps. Don’t miss out on a ministry and growing opportunity, God will use you.