Mission work gives new meaning to being grateful
Honduras trip was eye-opening experience for Xavier student
<div class="Content"><p class="indent">Claude Albritton II spent his Thanksgiving with a renewed spirit, after spending part of his summer in one of the poorest regions of Honduras.</p><p class="indent">Traveling with the Xavier University Campus Ministry, Albritton helped pave indoor flooring, built outdoor bathrooms and washrooms, and taught community children through vacation Bible school.</p><p class="indent">“It was a very humbling experience. They have so little but they’re so grateful,” he remarked.</p><p class="indent">Working with the children was Albritton’s favorite part of the venture. The group brought kites, play dough, coloring books and a variety of other children’s toys to share.</p><p class="indent">“It was just the simplest of things, but they just loved it.”</p><p class="indent">With his limited Spanish, he said he was keenly aware of the children’s reactions as the group shared the Gospel through actions and deeds.</p><p class="indent">“I just loved their responses. Because of that, I now try to be very aware of other people and really show my gratitude. Sharing a smile or thoughtful word can go so far.”</p><p class="indent">Deadra Albritton, Claude’s mother, said her son has always been a “humble and peace-making” young man but the trip made a definite impact.</p><p class="indent">“It’s changed him for sure,” she said. “It was an eye-opener for him because it’s gone to his heart. He’s truly walking in Jesus’ shoes.”</p><p class="indent">The group helped families by mixing, pouring and paving cement by hand.</p><p class="indent">“It was really hard work,” he said, especially knowing the readily available presence of concrete machinery in the United States.</p><p class="indent">“It just makes you so grateful,” he said. “Here people are just happy to have help smoothing their one-room house by hand.”</p><p class="indent">Albritton said he certainly sees more missions in his future but said his biggest take away from the journey was the importance of acquiring skills in order to give to those in need — a sort of personal missions.</p><p class="indent">“Why should people have to hire someone if they have a friend who knows how to teach them?”</p><p class="indent">He plans to begin a mentorship program to share his academic and life skills with younger students.</p><p class="indent">Albritton is a senior biology student at Xavier University and plans to continue his studies in graduate school researching immunology.</p></div>
<div class="float"><div class="Lead"><span style="font-weight: bold;">‘… I now try to be very aware of other people and really show my gratitude. Sharing a smile or thoughtful word can go far.’<br />Claude Albritton II<br /></span> Xavier University student</div></div>