By SANDRA THAMES / Community Columnist

For more than 19 years, 2013 Thompson High School graduate Mallory Bubbett has lived in the same city, even the same house. As the daughter of Jon Bubbett, THS band director and Jeannie Bubbett, TMS choir director, Bubbett has had many experiences on band, choir, school and church trips.

Her participation in a mission trip to Hong Kong, China, last month was inspired by a church presentation regarding a mission trip to Uganda. Mallory was very impressed with the idea, and wanted to continue her connection with her CP church as it would be her last year to be a student participant at the Cumberland Presbyterian Youth Conference held each summer in Tennessee.

Immediately, the idea began for the Hong Kong trip. The purpose of this trip was to teach English through Christian values to seventh grade students.

The team members met before the trip at New Hope Cumberland Presbyterian Church on Highway 119 for orientation and planning lessons along with skits, songs and everything imaginable that was planned for the kids. After three practically sleepless nights, participants hopped a 13-hour flight to Hong Kong.

“Two weeks of being immersed in a foreign culture was an eye opening experience,” Says Bubbett. “It was interesting to see how the Chinese practice their faith. Seeing the different aspects of Christianity gave me a fuller understanding of what it means to be a follower of Christ. Ultimately we accomplished so much more than we could have done on an individual basis. I met amazing people and hope to keep in touch and eventually see them again.”

The variety of activities, lessons, sports, calligraphy, teen or pre-teen chat, English study, countryside exploration, café singing and local Cantonese worship services is something Bubbett will never forget.

Today Bubbett is a sophomore at UAB enrolled in a double major of psychology and international studies. (That is subject to change as the mission trip has caused her to think seriously about mission work as a career).

“Every morning, we did a personal devotion – reading our Bible, prayer, meditation – I recommend everyone try it. This is the world we live in, why not explore it”

Sandra Thames is a community columnist for the city of Alabaster and can be reached at bobthames1942@ yahoo.com.