Jennifer Springston has that missionary zeal.
Instead of planning decorations for her college dorm room this summer, Springston is preparing for a nine-month mission trip to Nicaragua and Peru.
Springston, who will graduate Saturday from Flowery Branch High School, will set off for Granada, Nicaragua, in August. She plans to spend four months there with a group of 10 missionaries, where they will work in orphanages, slums and churches.
After Christmas, Springston ventures to Lima, Peru, where she hopes to dedicate her time to the children living there in orphanages.
“It’s definitely different than what my friends are doing,” she said. “But it’ll be an experience that will always stick with me. My main goal isn’t to preach. I just want to do something good for people.”
But Springston isn’t diving into the cold waters of missionary work head first. She’s already gotten her feet wet on a mission trip she took last summer to Sao Paolo, Brazil, with her church, Buford Church of God.
The graduate’s parents, David and Amy Springston, certainly raised their eyebrows when their 17-year-old daughter proposed the alternative to starting college.
“I’ve always wanted to go somewhere and meet new people, but I don’t think they expected me to go on a nine-month mission trip to Peru,” Springston said. “They were apprehensive about it at first, but now they’re pretty accepting of it ... they know it will be a great experience.”
Springston has already raised $5,000 of the required $8,000 for the trip. And at 6 tonight, Buford Church of God is holding a fundraising dinner for Springston.
But college is still in her future, Springston said.
When she returns, Springston said she plans to attend Emmanuel College in Franklin Springs to become a high school history teacher. She said as a teacher, she would like to lead mission trips during the summer months.
“When I get back from (my trip), I hope the things I learn there will prepare me for what I want do to when I get back from Georgia,” she said. “There’s so many mission opportunities even here."