Wow, cool place, amazing people. This was a fun trip, got to fly, meet friends, and help out! This was more than just a vacation, more than just a work trip, this trip helped to change these kids lives! As a high-school student there are many questions, and not a lot of answers. What am I going to do for a living? Am I going to college? If I go to college, what will I get a degree in? Even questions like, What do I like to do? What do I WANT to do? Its hard to find answers for these and all the many other questions. On this trip, I felt usefull, I was working, but it didn't feel like a chore. This was a chance to help these people who give almost everything in their lives, to help these kids, I had a chance to have a good attitude, and to enjoy the time I spent with other people. Now my mom has often told me I was good with kids, and that I had a compassionate heart. I had always sort of doubted it, most of the kids I know, I've known all their lives. So why wouldn't they like me? And besides, who isn't nice to the SUPER cute and adorable 3 month old? So I didn't pay much attention to her saying that. But when I saw these kids, who have GREAT joy... even though they have a disability, they don't care, their desire to learn and find out more and their friendliness. It touched me. I could spend my life helping kids like them. If not for the ranch, these kids would be outcasts, shunned by society, unable to better themselves. Yet here I am. With all the gifts, and talents God's blessed me with, and many different opportunities I could take advantage of. But I've complained about those very things! This trip gave me the perspective I was lacking. Now I am looking at school as a blessing to be taken advantage of. Of my loving family as something special, that not everyone gets.
This trip has opened my eyes, to be able to look at ALL of the blessings I have now, and helped me to thank God for them. I hope you can look at your lives and appreciate all God has given you.
Gabe Quakkelaar
