[Genesis 1:3–5] “And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness. God called the light ‘day,’ and the darkness He called ‘night.’ And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.” 

It had been 25 years since my last mission trip to Central America. So when the opportunity came for my wife, Terri, and me to join Mrs. Hansen, Mr. Hector, and 14 of our Crean Lutheran High School students on a mission trip to El Salvador, we were eager and excited. This time, we wouldn’t just hear about our school’s mission work—we would experience it firsthand.



We left late Easter Sunday from LAX, connected through Dallas, and arrived in San Salvador by midday Monday. Tired but full of anticipation, we stepped into the week not knowing what it would hold.

What we found was the fullness of time, just as God intended it. Our mornings started around 7 a.m., and our evenings wound down near 10 p.m. In between, we lived purpose-filled hours.

We built a 10x20 home in a single day for a couple in desperate need. We prayed and shared food with local families. We visited a boys’ home and played soccer, basketball, and other games. We spent time with physically and mentally disabled adults—pushing wheelchairs, making crafts, blowing bubbles, and simply being present. On two evenings, our students made and packed 150 meals, then handed them out to homeless families.

These were full, exhausting days. But in the absence of phones, screens, and distractions, our students found deeper connections—with each other, the people we served, and most importantly, the Lord.

The sun rises. The sun sets. A full day.

This is the rhythm God set into motion from the beginning of time. It’s a pattern of purpose and meaning. And it’s a daily gift. 

How are you spending your gift of time today? Will you use it chasing the shiny things of the world, or will you live it abundantly, serving Christ and others, just as our students did in El Salvador? 

Jesus offers that kind of life—full, abundant, and eternal. Through Him, we find forgiveness for wasted days and renewal for days yet to come. This gives us the opportunity, strength, and wisdom to find out how God may be asking us to serve others around us.  We don’t have to travel to a far away place to find His people in need. 

As I reflect on that week, two clear truths come to mind: the amazing grace and love of Jesus Christ for people around the world, and the powerful way our students reflected that love each day. They served with humility, compassion, and joy—characteristics rarely seen so consistently in young people today. We were deeply proud of each one.

Our return flight included a long delay in Dallas at DFW. We boarded, deplaned, switched gates, and waited again. The students, though tired, remained patient and positive. We finally arrived back at LAX around midnight. Parents and students were reconnected with many stories yet to be shared. We had arrived back in the fast-paced world, but we knew our hearts had been shaped and changed in a new and wonderful way during our journey. We will never be the same. It had been a week of full days, lived abundantly. To God be the glory. 

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” – John 10:10



Lord, help us not to chase what fades, but to invest our time in what matters most. Open our eyes to the people around us. Give us the courage to serve, the grace to be present, and the joy that comes from walking closely with You. Amen.

Nate Kretzmann, CAO

Crean Lutheran High School

nate.kretzmann@creanlutheran.org

Nate has been serving Crean Lutheran as the Chief Advancement Officer for the last seven years. Nate and his wife Terri are members of Abiding Savior Lutheran Church in Lake Forest.