In November, 2006, I went on a mission trip to Nuevo Progresso, Mexico, organized by St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Oxford, Indiana.  It was incredible.  Spending a week helping build homes for others made me realize just how spoiled we are. 

While thousands of US teens were waiting overnight in lines for the latest X-Box, the children in this town were happy to have scraps of lumber to play with as building blocks, their parents happy to have something under their feet other than a dirt floor.

I went back in February, 2007, and November 2007, and have participated each February and November since then.  I highly encourage you to participate in a volunteer activity, whether that is a mission trip to a foreign land or serving soup at a local shelter.  I guarantee you will get out of it more than you give.

A photobook is available through Amazon.com; all profits are donated to the mission fund.