End Note

Like others who have traveled abroad, I often find it challenging to choose a single memory or event from my time in Europe that is my favorite. However, I can say with confidence that the Lord used the three months I spent in Florence, Italy, to grow and challenge me in ways I never thought were possible. My experiences abroad helped me grow individually in my relationships and as a young man. Although I learned many things through my travels, I would like to share just a few of them that I believe played a crucial role in shaping and changing my perspectives.

The first would be to not let fear ever stop you from doing anything. This will most likely cause regret. I found courage to do this through Joshua 1:9. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

God also used my time at HUF to show me that he loves us, and he shows this to us through his creation. I was blessed to see some of the most beautiful locations in all of creation while abroad. However, God’s most beautiful creations are the individuals we meet every day. People are good, and we shouldn’t let the evil in a small few change our feelings for mankind.

While at HUF, I became familiar with a phrase, and it is one that I will hang on to for the rest of my life. “Aggressively seek beauty every day.” Everyone that goes to HUF will hear this a million times. But it has truly changed my life. Thank you Robbie Shackelford for instilling this desire in all of us. I have learned to strive to find the beauty of the Lord in almost every moment. Every second that you live, the Lord and creator of everything you see, feel, touch, smell or taste loves you. That’s amazingly beautiful in itself.

We hear a lot of bad things on the news in our everyday lives. However, my time at HUF taught me that beauty surpasses all corruption, and God’s beauty will continue to shine through his people and creation. Our God has made a truly beautiful world for us to spend our lives. I will always be thankful for my time at HUF and how the Lord used it to change me.

Ian Mohorn

Marketing major from Springdale, Arkansas

Attended HUF spring 2018

One of my favorite memories from HUG was when we were in Philippi at St. Lydia’s Basilica! The church was beautiful and was right next to the same river [where] Paul met Lydia. The acoustics were great, so we spent our free time singing in the church. It was so neat to spend time praising God in a place we read about in the Bible.

Shannon Beaty

Exercise science major from Smyrna, Tennessee

Attended HUG spring 2018

On our first Sunday in India while studying abroad in Australasia, our program director Pam had us load onto a van to head to church in Delhi. Once we got off the bus, we followed a series of streets that finally led to a little house where church service was held. In the front of the congregation, a dozen orphan children were shouting worship songs to Jesus in English with huge smiles on their faces. Tears immediately started streaming down my face as I was in awe of such a humbling sight. I was uncontrollably crying tears of joy. These children knew very little English, but yet they were able to worship in both English and their native language of Hindi with the most joy I had seen. They had very little and didn’t have families of their own but were given a new life and family in Jesus Christ through people who loved them and God very much.

Haley Mills

Nursing major from Rochester, Minnesota

Attended HUA fall 2017

For more study abroad memories, visit magazine.harding.edu.

Compiled by Hannah Owens