Plymouth Magazine-Spring26-DIGITAL - Flipbook - Page 18
Dinah Vance
Have you ever thought about how much
a trip could change a person? Well,
here’s a short reflection on the amazing
experience I had at the Common Ground
on the Border Conference. I never knew
one small community could have such a
big impact on the people around them.
I think that’s what resonated with me
the most, even if it’s small it’s better
than sitting and letting hate win. Even
in Des Moines we have the power to get
together and do great things. Throughout
the conference we heard so many
empowering stories and ideas, one that
I still think about to this day is a quote
their priest said, “Yesterday I didn’t know
you and today I love you.” When I heard
this, I was sitting in a theology class that
was sometimes hard to understand but
this jumped out at me. I then reflected
on this and connected this saying to
my whole time at the conference and it
made it even more special. It is a very
meaningful and empowering quote that
I wish was more normalized and thought
about. To take the time, step out of our
comfort zone, and attempt to know
another person, try to understand their
struggles…this is the way to break some of
our American individualistic standards of
keeping to ourselves. The only way to get
through hard things is to lean on other
humans. To be the person others can lean
on. If we want change in this world, we
must love our neighbors as ourselves and
I think this quote says this perfectly. This
eye opening, life alerting, fun trip taught
me to be more loving towards others, it
taught me that even doing small things is
big in Jesus’ eyes. The verse 1 Corinthians
16:14 “Do everything in love” was told to
me by one of the Samaritans and he said,
“God sees our love beyond the amount,
or impact of our efforts.” I hope this
empowers every one of you to try and
get out in the community and help, even
if its small, love. Jesus sees that, as he is
working through you.
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L to R: Sarah Wigton, Peyton McCulloh, Mya Cullenward, Aristella Tempero, Dinah Vance, and Sabine Carlson
Plymouth Teens walk on a dessert trail with
Pastor John Tyson and Heather Carlson.
