Madison Givens most recently made news in The Texas Spur as the valedictorian of the Class of 2021. But her life, as soon as she graduated, took her across the globe to a mission trip in Tanzania.
Madison is the daughter of Tonya Givens and the granddaughter of Larry and Donna Hoyle of Matador and Preston and Cinda Givens of Spur.
Upon her return, she took time with the newspaper to share her experience in words and photos.
THE TEXAS SPUR: How did you hear about the mission trip?
MADISON GIVENS: I first heard about this mission trip through (Spur teacher) Meagan Hammack, who also went on the trip. Her sister-in-law, McKenna Hammack, is one of the two women who organizes the mission trip through a non-profit, Christian-based organization, Baba’s Glory. Baba’s Glory was founded by two girls with God in their heart and a plan at hand. McKenna Hammack and Tori West are two incredible people. If you ever feel it on your heart to help spread the news of Jesus, definitely check out their mission.
What kinds of preparations did you have to make to travel there?
To prepare for the trip I had to make sure that I was covered financially, had all the proper immunizations that were suggested, had acquired culturally appropriate clothing for Africa, and most importantly was supported by my amazing family and church and other in the community who prayed for me.
How long were you there?
I was in Tanzania for 11 days, but the trip was a total of 14 including travel.
How did you spend your days there?
Every morning we would wake up, eat breakfast in our hotel lobby and then start our day. Each day we would usually go to a different area of Arusha* to offer help wherever needed. We hosted a three-day conference for locals in the Saiboku village, visited a school surrounded by Maasai villages, and just spread the love of Jesus wherever we could. We did this with the help of the local YWAM (Youth With a Mission) base and two of the YWAM individuals, Geoff and Beatrice.
* From Wikipedia: Arusha is a city in north eastern Tanzania and the capital of the Arusha Region, with a population of 416,442.
What languages are spoken there?
The main language of Arusha, Tanzania, is Swahili, although schools and parents throughout Tanzania are genuinely striving to teach their children English. In fact, “Baba” happens to be Swahili for “father.”
How would you describe the village that you spent your time in?
Throughout our time, we saw every type of village Arusha had to offer. We saw what was considered well-off, a term used very differently in Africa than represented in America. We saw villages struggling financially and emotionally, but still managing to get by. Lastly, we saw villages and people that broke my heart. Widowed mothers struggling to put even one meal a day on the table for her three toddlers, dogs starving for food and attention and just people who deserve much more than they have.
What surprised you the most about your visit there?
I was utterly shocked by the neverending and unfaltering love for God these people have. There are so many aspects of African life that can easily break a soul and wipe a smile from a face, but most individuals you see are filled with joy. They worship God so passionately and intentionally that it just took my breath away. I admire them so much for that fact.
How did the trip affect you?
I have always known Americans were blessed, but I never realized the true extent of our blessings until my trip. I will never take the simple things in life for granted again, and will strive to live life with the same Jesus-loving, kind heart that the people of Tanzania do.
What are your plans for the rest of your summer?
As the summer comes to an end, I plan to continue readying myself for college and enjoying the time I have left with my friends and family.
Where will you be attending college this fall, and what will you be majoring in?
I will be attending college at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, to major in social work with a pre-law emphasis. I believe I was instilled with the passion and need to help others, and I plan to continue doing that in my career and life.
I can’t help but note how thankful I am for the support of the other team members who went on the trip, the community, my wonderful church members, and my family. It truly takes a village to go on trips like mine, and I am forever grateful for each and every one of you.
As a team we are currently fundraising to buy our driver Saitoti a van. I have described the joy and grace in which the people of Tanzania live, and Saitoti is the perfect example of that. His only goals in life are to serve God and love others. He is not consumed or distracted by the materialistic ways of the world and in turn, he has never been able to fulfill his dreams financially.
He received around $15 a day from the company he rented our van from, for being our driver for full days. That is nothing. We pray the finances become available so that we may be able to bless Saitoti in the way he has blessed us. If you feel it on your heart to contribute, we have a GoFundMe set up on our Baba’s Glory Facebook page (www.gofundme.com/f/new-van-for-saitoti). Thank you all and God bless.
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