"You really do become your best self when you put other's people needs ahead of your own."

Matthew Grover, a Cedar City native, first learned about Rising Star Outreach from our founder, Becky Douglas, while serving an LDS mission in the Dominican Republic. Upon returning home, Matt decided he wanted to be involved—even though he had already spent the last two years of his life in the service of others.


He participated in our 2015 Medical Session. Everyone loved Matt, but the kids loved him a little extra. Thank you Matt, for dedicating your time and talents and heart to Rising Star Outreach!

The following excerpts are taken, with permission, from Matt's Blog at  http://matt-goes-to-india.blogspot.com

"[Volunteering] really helped me realize the type of person I want to be, the career path I'm choosing, and how I want to spend my time helping others."

I'm sitting here at my apartment in Salt Lake and I'm missing India so bad.  The last couple of days were great and I've consciously been avoiding this blog because I didn't want to talk about leaving. [...] I really hit it off with the 10th graders, and they kept having me do stuff with them.  Minutes before I packed up my things I went over to their hostel and said good bye. 

My overall experience in India was incredible. Being able to work alongside/serve so many incredible people is something I will never forget.  A thought that I kept having while I was there is best described by Mahatma Gandhi: "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."  I realized that this is why I loved my mission so much, and also why I loved India.  You really do become your best self when you put other's people needs ahead of your own.

I'm so grateful to everybody who made this trip possible, I can't say that enough. This trip really helped me realize the type of person I want to be, the career path I'm choosing, and how I want to spend my time helping others with the skills I have acquired.  I encourage anybody who is on the fence about getting involved in something like this to DO IT!  I loved it so much and hope that all of you get the chance to help your fellow man, especially those that are in great need.

Read more here

---


Matt is a phlebotomist, with his CNA license and is studying Pre-Med at University of Utah
Matt's can be found here:
Blog:  http://matt-goes-to-india.blogspot.com
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/matt.grover.180

All photos courtesy of Shane Marryot