Meet our 2013 team -- part IV

Our 2013 Costa Rica mission team includes a variety of ready and willing, enthusiastic and able high school students. We want you to meet them, and just as we—the leaders—are getting to understand their hearts and abilities, we wish to have you see, too, those same loving souls and what brought them to our team.  (An almost complete list of team member testimonies can be found at 2013 Team Members.) 

Katie Miller

Every year Katie would hear all the stories of people returning from mission trips, and they always seemed to be more on fire for the Lord when they came back.  The teams always came back with great stories, accomplished tasks, and a deeper love for the Lord.  Katie shares, “I want to make a difference in a child’s life by going on this mission trip.  I have a passion for children and ministry, and this will be a great adventure for me as I seek out God more and more as well as have the opportunity to minister to the people of Costa Rica.”

A junior at Xenia Christian, Katie decided on the Costa Rica trip because she can speak Spanish and also knew several of the people on the team already.  When she heard that the team would primarily be working and ministering with children that “sealed the deal” for her.  “I am so looking forward to ministering with kids!” she states. “I absolutely love children, and I am so excited that I will be able to teach them about the Lord while I am in Costa Rica.”

Other pursuits of Katie’s include anything in the arts—whether its drama, art class, or music. She has especially enjoyed drama and has been involved in the XC drama Department for the past five years—both as an actress in four productions and as student director for two productions.  To top off her interests, Katie loves watching movies and eating popcorn while hanging out with friends.

Excited about this opportunity having come from the Lord, Katie shares, “Take the chance!  Grab at every opportunity that comes your way!  God wants each and every one of us to live our lives to the absolute max.  As John 10:10 states, ‘I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.’ Live like there is no tomorrow, and give everything, all you do, all you say, all you think, give it all to the Glory of God.”

Dan Griffith

A junior at Xenia Christian, Dan Griffith chose to join a short-term mission team this J-term because, as he states it, “I felt like God was calling me to break my non-interest for overseas missions.”  He chose Costa Rica because he has been studying Spanish. 

While this trip is Dan’s first mission trip experience, he is particularly looking forward to the work days and street outreach.

 

Enjoying most sports, Dan loves to play golf and does it frequently.  He also enjoys watching and playing “American” football, and basketball and baseball, as well.  He also likes playing video games, eating food, and spending time with his friends.

In sharing encouragement, Dan reminds us to trust God through the storms of life.  Like the song says, "It doesn’t rain everyday; it won’t rain forever. " Troubles come and go, but God is steadfast and can be trusted through any storm.  

 

 

Maria Howarah

A senior at Xenia Christian, Mariah Howarah looks forward to graduating next year and going to college --although she hasn’t settled on where yet.  One thing she is certain of, however, is her desire to return to Costa Rica.  A veteran of the trip, Maria had a wonderful experience last year. She knew God was calling her to return and do the work He had called her to do. “It is such a wonderful opportunity,” she shares, “that we get to go and help people who need not only the love of Christ but just simple things that we can do for them.”

Her first mission trip—Costa Rica 2012—taught her how important discipleship is in a Christian’s life, and that trip got Maria to start a Bible study with a 7th grader every week. She encourages others to do the same: it makes a huge impact in your life and helps you grow as you share. 

Maria’s favorite parts of her first trip were holding Bible programs with the children. Maria shares, “Just being able to smile and talk to them—as best as I can in Spanish, growing closer to the other members of the team, and also growing more in my relationship with Christ. Trying to fix the things He has been wanting me to change.”

Other interests of Maria’s include playing soccer and basketball. She loves watching movies with her sister—constantly. She also enjoys going to the mall with friends and just interacting with people.

Maria states that “Even when you feel like you cannot go on any longer, just push through. Things may look impossible and you may question God about what He is doing, but there is an ultimate purpose which gives him glory in the end. It will also make your relationship stronger which will show Christ to others through your own life.”

Miss Camille Clements

Our fearless leader, Camille Clements, comes from a family of teachers and felt the Lord calling her to teach even as a young person. She has been teaching at Xenia Christian High School for fifteen years. Before that, she spent two years as a missionary in Barcelona, Spain teaching at an international school. She has been going on ministry trips to various Spanish-speaking countries with Dayton Christian Schools since 2001--but only as a co-leader, never the leader.

A few years ago, the opportunity presented itself to her and another trip leader to set up a trip to Costa Rica. Another co-worker, who had spent several years there as a missionary, connected Miss Clements and the other trip leader with the Salley family, serving as church planters in Costa Rica. The Costa Rica Ministry trip came into being. At that time, Miss Clements was only planning on playing a support role, as a co-leader, but God had other plans. 

Miss Clements recalls, “I became the trip leader through a series of events that only the Lord could have orchestrated. I am generally a behind-the-scenes kind of person who enjoys serving and supporting, but the Lord wanted to grow and stretch me, which he has done by putting me in charge of this trip. I am always amazed that God continues to choose to use me and give me the opportunity to take part in overseas ministry. It is both humbling and exciting to be able to take young people on ministry trips and to see how God works in and through them to change lives and to draw people to himself.”

Beyond teaching and using the Spanish language, Miss Clements also enjoys reading, cooking, traveling, and participating in half marathons.

“When the Lord calls you to do something,” states Miss Clements, “trust that He knows what is best for you, and do it. Also trust that He will equip you to do whatever he calls you to do. I have found that he has called me to things that I would not naturally choose to do because in my weakness He is proved strong.”