Into The Mission Joshua Lyon

I’ve always wanted to help people, and service has always been a huge part of my life. So when I got the call to go on a mission trip with a few people in my youth group during the summer of 2009, I couldn’t have been more excited. Imagine it, South Africa, Zambia, Israel, China; places where people truly need help! I would get to work with those poor kids you see on TV who are hungry and cold. I’d be with tribes and people who scrounge for their food. So, now imagine my excitement when I found out we were going to Alaska! Wait…what!? Alaska!? Alaska is a U.S. state. They have food; they have electricity; they are civilized!

When I heard Alaska, I became somewhat reluctant. Was I really being called to help the Eskimos (which I later learned is not the correct term for all Alaskans)? However, after some pushing from the youth family, I decided why not, let’s go! I’m sure someone can use my help. Then the question arose…How do I get there?

To be certain, my family didn’t have an extra $2000 lying around to ship me off the Alaska. So, I would have to raise all the money myself. My group and I began to brainstorm fundraisers and fun and creative ways we could make money. We held benefit concerts with Lucas Perry (an Australia singer...