Global Trips A Journey of Transformation
Hope Has A Name
“Don’t go on a mission trip unless you’re ready for your life to change. These words echoed in Rebecca’s mind as she stood at a crossroads four years ago. It was the height of the pandemic, and her world had crumbled. A devastating family crisis, coupled with her ongoing heart condition, had left her feeling lost and fragile. But sometimes, God reveals His plans in the most unexpected places.
“I remember sitting in my house during lockdown, feeling completely adrift,” Rebecca recalls. “Everything I thought I knew about my life had been pulled out from underneath me. That’s when I decided to return to Eastside Compassion, simply looking for any sense of purpose. Little did I know, God was already preparing my path.”
What started as volunteer work organizing materials and facilitating leadership groups soon blossomed into something far greater. In 2022, despite concerns from friends about her health, Rebecca felt an undeniable calling to join a global mission trip. Her doctors advised caution, but her heart—both literally and figuratively—pulled her forward, guided by faith.
“The moment I stepped off the plane in Ecuador for my first trip, something shifted,” she shares. “I saw children living in challenging circumstances yet radiating pure joy. It made my own struggles feel different, more manageable somehow. God’s presence was unmistakable in their smiles.”
"I was the oldest person on the team, but I built, cleaned, played, sang, and even managed to communicate in Spanish. God taught me to let go of my carefully planned agenda and embrace each unexpected moment. His plans were far better than anything I could have organized." - Rebecca
That initial journey sparked a transformation that nobody could have predicted. Rebecca’s eyes regained their spark, and color returned to her cheeks. Her social media account, aptly named “Hope Has a Name,” began chronicling not just her journeys but the stories of lives touched by God’s love across continents.
In Thailand, she witnessed the power of divine protection. “The children at the orphanage lined the road waiting for us,” Rebecca remembers, her voice softening. “These kids had escaped unimaginable situations—trafficking, war, extreme poverty. Yet there they were, celebrating Christmas in October with pure delight. My sponsored child, Nacha, taught me more about God’s faithfulness in one day than I’d learned in years.”
Kenya followed, where Rebecca discovered the transformative impact of education through Missions of Hope International (MOHI). “It’s not just about teaching,” she explains. “It’s about breaking the cycle of poverty, one child at a time. Watching MOHI’s graduates return to lift up the next generation—that’s when I truly understood what God’s hope looks like in action.”
Between trips, Rebecca helped launch Compassion at Eastside’s Irvine campus, where you’ll find her most Sundays, inspiring others with her story. Her latest adventure in Mexico proved that age is just a number when it comes to serving God’s kingdom.
Fellow trip leader Maria Martinez has witnessed the ripple effect of Rebecca’s journey. “People see her story and realize that God can use anyone willing to step out in faith,” Maria shares. “She’s inspired countless others to trust His timing and purpose for their lives.”
Ready to Begin Your Own Transformation Story?
Don’t miss out on your chance to be part of these transformative journeys.
Visit eastside.com/global to explore trip options, or click on the “Let’s Talk” button below to connect with experienced trip leaders like Rebecca.
As Rebecca often says, “These trips aren’t just about what we give—they’re about discovering that God’s timing is perfect, and His plans for our lives are greater than we could ever imagine.”