Walking the path of faith

Faith has always been a big part of Madison Carlin’s life, and a ministry trip to South Africa this summer is helping the 2018 Iola High School graduate consider her career options.

Perhaps when she graduates from college, she’ll consider ministry on campus or overseas.

“This opportunity has given me practical experience for what this looks like in a completely different context than I’ve ever experienced before,” Carlin said.

Carlin is going into her fourth year at Kansas State University where she is studying elementary education. 

At K-State, Carlin has been involved with a campus ministry organization called Student Mobilization and attends a church in Manhattan. 

Every year, K-State and the University of Missouri work with a group called Campus Outreach to send a team of students to South Africa. While there, students share the gospel and learn about a different culture.

“I’ve learned through this trip how amazing it is to learn from other people in different cultures about their culture,” she said in an email to the Register. “Things are both very similar and very different here from back home.”

The overseas ministry allows students to get to know the people of South Africa. They learn how others grow up and what their values are. They learn how to build trust and friendships.

“This experience has taught me a lot about relating with people, how I recharge after a long day, and the value in learning from others who have different values than you.”

It also has taught her that no matter how different her environment, God is her constant. 

“Living my life this way and seeing my life’s purpose to share Christ — wherever that may be — has brought me so much joy, and I want to share that joy with other people,” she said.