Last Day: Flight Back

Julia Tao
After waking up at 2 AM to pack, everyone got on the bus to go to the airport (almost everyone slept the whole way!). At the airport, we drank a lot of delicious fresh grapefruit juice and everyone tried some 85% chocolate. Almost our entire group got on the Delta flight, which was about 4 hours long.
I have learned so much from this year's trip, and with our larger group, we were able to impact so many more people. Seeing all of these patients in Belize, the children without shoes, and the lack of healthy food and knowledge of healthy eating has allowed me to realize just how privileged I am and how much I take for granted back at home. Planning these missions and going back each year to learn and improve on the last trips has given me so much joy, knowing that I am impacting at least a few lives for the better. I hope ABC can keep growing and allow us to help these precious people as much and for as long as possible!

Matt Cheng
Now, I have arrived at LAX airport waiting for my Uber. I have had a wonderful trip making friends and helping others with joy. Thank you, everybody, who went, supported, and helped me along the way. Now that I am back in the states, kudos to God for the bringing me there and back safely.

Emmaly Nguyen
This trip has taught me so much more than I thought it would. From giving out medication, to teaching people how to change their lifestyle for the better, to taking their vitals, this experience has really changed me. It’s such an incredible feeling, knowing that I can really help these people. I know that these acts are small (in terms of what we could do if we had the right equipment, time, and money), but it shows me that I have the ability to change someone. If I could go back to do more, I definitely would.

Kenneth Yang
It was our last day and most of us were tired. We got in the bus around 2 am to head out to the airport. The ride was 4 hours and many of us were knocked out in the bus. When we arrived at the airport, everyone was going around getting souvenirs and snacks to eat. Everyone was laughing and talking, trying to get each other’s phone numbers so we could contact one another. As soon as we arrived we all said our farewells. I had to say goodbye to my good friend Tyler, his sister Addyson, Ryan’s cousin Sierra, Ariel, Matthew, Cameron, Christian, Emmaly, her cousin Jacqueline, her brother and many more. Although the end of the trip was sad, the trip itself was amazing and i feel good that I helped Belizean patients through the week.

Jacqueline Duong
In all honesty, I really wanted this trip to be a life changing experience, but I would be an idealist if I said it was. There were so many things I felt like I wanted to do for the people that I couldn’t do because we were just limited. Even on the last days of the clinic when people had to wait so long for their medication, and I had to call them up just to say, “sorry we have no medication for you, please take this prescription to your local pharmacy and they’ll take care of you.” - it just didn’t feel right. We came to make a difference, to not only help people that needed help, but to inspire young children to follow their dreams. I felt like the little things meant a lot, but there were so many little things that we couldn’t provide for them. Even though I know it’s not my fault or anyone’s fault, it’s kind of heartbreaking.
Even though I don’t feel like I’ve truly impacted anyone’s life, I am confident that I can make a difference. This trip has inspired me to go back home and work hard, so that every year I can go and try to change one life at a time. I realize that change isn’t easy and saving lives isn’t an instantaneous process, but it’s worth working towards.
I wholeheartedly enjoyed this trip, not only because of the medical experience I have gained, but also the people I have met. All of the volunteers I have worked alongside were special in their own ways. They were all talented and unique and funny. Even though some of them weren’t THAT nice, I’m confident that I have made friendships that I will hold onto forever.
​I can’t wait to go to more mission trips in the near future, whether it be to Belize or any other country, it was an experience that I 100 percent loved and am grateful I had the opportunity to be part of.