A Week in Milwaukee: Service, Conversation, and Purpose

Usually don't write about my personal life but this was different for me.

This week, I had the opportunity to travel to Milwaukee for a mission with Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America. What began as a long and exhausting trip quickly became one of the most meaningful and impactful experiences I have had in recent years.

The journey itself was memorable from the start. I flew with United Airlines, and due to severe storms between Chicago and Pittsburgh, our flight experienced repeated delays. What was supposed to be a 2 PM departure ultimately turned into a 10 PM takeoff.

Despite the frustration and exhaustion that came with the delays, the unexpected time at the airport gave me the opportunity to meet several of the other missionaries I would be serving alongside throughout the week. Those hours of waiting turned into conversations, laughter, and the beginning of friendships that would continue to grow over the course of the mission.

After finally landing, we were picked up and driven to Milwaukee, though not before making a humorous late-night McDonald’s stop along the way 😂. By the time we arrived at the hotel, it was around 2:30 in the morning. Only a few hours later, we were back up for training and preparation for the days ahead.

The following morning, everyone was assigned to teams and vans. In total, there were roughly eight vans, each filled with volunteers who would spend the day going door-to-door speaking with voters about pro-life issues and candidates who support those values.

To be honest, I was initially nervous.

I have always struggled with approaching new people and starting conversations with complete strangers. However, after knocking on the first few doors, that fear began to disappear. I quickly realized that this experience was about something far greater than my own comfort level.

I felt a deep sense of purpose knowing that I was advocating for those who cannot speak for themselves.

Throughout the week, I encountered a wide range of reactions. Some individuals strongly disagreed with our message, while others were incredibly encouraging and grateful to see young people willing to stand publicly for their convictions.

One conversation in particular left a lasting impression on me.

I spoke with a woman who identified herself as politically liberal and shared that she was currently pregnant and considering abortion. We discussed fetal development, the realities of abortion procedures, the emotional impact abortion can have on mothers, and the support resources available for women facing difficult circumstances.

As the conversation continued, her perspective began to shift. She admitted that no one had ever fully explained the realities of abortion to her before. She acknowledged that she already understood, deep down, that the unborn child was a human life.

By the end of our conversation, she asked for more information and resources.

That moment reminded me of the importance of respectful dialogue and genuine human connection. Meaningful conversations rooted in compassion, honesty, and understanding; have the power to change hearts and perspectives in ways arguments alone often cannot.

Each day, our teams returned to the hotel around 7 PM after hours of canvassing neighborhoods throughout the city. I personally knocked on approximately 350 doors each day, though many others exceeded even that number.

The work was physically exhausting, but the relationships formed throughout the week made every long day worthwhile.

Rather than immediately going to sleep after returning each evening, many of us spent additional time together at the hotel; sharing stories from the day, discussing faith and life, working out in the gym, and building friendships that extended beyond the mission itself. In one memorable moment, I managed to strain a muscle attempting to curl a 50-pound dumbbell, which didn’t really help my already numb arm due to carrying fliers to put on doors 😂

Although sleep was limited throughout the trip, the experience created a sense of unity and purpose that made the exhaustion seem insignificant in comparison.

Over the course of those few days, strangers became close friends. We shared conversations, prayers, encouragement, and a common mission. Before leaving Milwaukee, many of us exchanged contact information with hopes of serving together again in the future.

This mission reminded me that meaningful change often begins with simple human interaction; a conversation at a front door, a willingness to listen, and the courage to speak with conviction and compassion.

More than anything, the week reinforced the importance of standing for what you believe in while approaching others with dignity, empathy, and respect.

If you want to hear more about SBA experiences or to join me on another SBA mission, you can find me on Instagram at (@itsjoshuathelen) or (@formedbyhope)