Filled to Overflow

By Olivia, a senior at MHS

I enjoy being active in whatever means possible, especially in service, Christian ideals, leadership, academics and exploration. On Sunday mornings, I teach a group of seven MHS fourth-graders and 11 students in Pre-K for a program called Junior Chapel. I remember how the high school kids would teach me when I was younger and dedicated their care, love and insights to me.

Their dedication and service is just like my Milton Hershey School experience. The people I would never live to know – our founders Milton and Catherine Hershey – gave me everything they had. I feel obligated and excited to do the same.

This past summer, before the start of my senior year, I was given the opportunity to travel to the impoverished area of La Chureca in the capital of Managua, Nicaragua. I spent a week serving children through Compass, a Christian leadership program run through Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. Similarly, throughout my junior year, I served as the student facilitator of a Bible study group on campus called the Bible Society. With the help of an MHS staff member, we created a new group for the fall 2016 school year called UNASHAMED. It’s meant to inspire authentic student leadership and discipleship.

Outside of school and church, I had the opportunity to lead youth in the way of Christ by serving as a camp counselor at Camp YoliJwa (Youth Living Jesus’ Way). For the past two years, I also was able to pass influence onto my fellow peers at a Christian youth retreat called Chrysalis as a student team member. I gave presentations on various parts of the Christian walk, facilitated discussions at a small group table and served as an assistant director for the retreat.

I have had many other service experiences and I hope there are more to come! This is especially true in the form of mission work, and this is my life’s calling: to counsel and serve as the hands and feet of Jesus in the world as a missionary after college.

I do share in the truth that Jesus gave, that apart from Him, what I do means nothing. There’s a Bible verse I love that speaks to service, and it comes from Luke 6:38:“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

I delight in the opportunity to serve any time I am able because I know it makes a world of difference for others.

Service continues to sharpen me in ways I never imagined. Every time I empty my pockets and pour out my heart, I am always filled to overflow again. That is why I give. This is why I serve.