Every
year the XCHS/LCA Costa Rica ministry team brings another collection of servant
hearts ready to share with others what they have learned in their walk with
God. In the upcoming blogposts, we will
introduce to you the mosaic of hearts and souls enthusiastic to work together
on this March mission.
Senior Rachel Sweeney joins
our team this year because she wants “to serve others even if it is just for a
short time.” After graduating this year,
Rachel plans to attend Cedarville University to study pharmacy and to run track
and cross-country. Her hobbies include reading, science, and playing sports
(particularly basketball, soccer, and running).
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| Rachel's 1000th shot |
Rachel joined
the Costa Rica mission team so that she could completely focus on blessing
others. Costa Rica has interested her ever since studying the country in
Spanish class. “The nature is beautiful
and the culture seems very vibrant and friendly,” she shares.
In that this
is her first mission trip, Rachel looks forward to developing relationships
with the children in Costa Rica as well as with her team members. Furthermore, she looks forward to sharing the
gospel and God’s love.
When asked
what power she would like to have if she were a superhero, Rachel replied that
she would want super speed, but she’s really not sure how that could help
people—“unless there was a zombie apocalypse.”
Rachel wants
our readers to remember that “nothing can separate us from the love of
God. He is the only Being who has
unconditional and everlasting love for us.”
When burdens feel overwhelming, Rachel exhorts, “remember how much God
loves you!”
Another
senior on our team, Victoria
Howarah developed interest in
the Costa Rica trip through watching two of her sisters go on mission
trips there. Victoria has had an ongoing interest in the Hispanic
culture and she has a heart for the purpose of the mission.
Victoria
wants to “spread God’s love in areas of need.” She looks forward to using God’s
Word and the knowledge with which he has blessed her. She wants to share with children, help out
with the medical outreach clinics, and she wants to learn more Spanish and more
about the Costa Rican culture.
Graduating
this year, Victoria plans on attending college and majoring in applied
mathematics. Victoria’s hobbies include
reading, playing soccer, and playing the piano.
As for a superhero power, she would appreciate “teleportation, because
you can always get to where you are supposed to be.”
Victoria
encourages each of us with the reminder that we should be smiling, and be
happy. “No matter the day you are having
now, eventually it will get better and you will always have me or God to cheer
you up.”
Junior
Luke Neikirk, a veteran of our Costa Rica mission trip,
loves serving with a family of believers – and especially outside of his
comfort zone. Luke’s experience last year was amazing because of the ticos and leaders that he met in Costa
Rica. He shares, “It is so humbling to work with Christians from a different
culture because we realize how much we don't know about the people we are
trying to reach.” Definitely a growing experience.
Other trips
in which Luke has participated included two trips to Memphis, TN, in these past
two summers. There the mission team worked to provide those in need a roof and
the gospel. “Each time I go,” Luke says, “I become more thankful for everything
I am blessed with. I am always amazed at the kindness and generosity of the
people I meet--people who have almost nothing.”
“Last year, I
went to Costa Rica with Xenia Christian. My time away from the normal routine
of school and home allowed God to challenge me to live out my faith.
Distractions of homework and stress had kept me from making a decision each day
to be bold in my faith, and my time serving in Costa Rica has reminded me to
serve God with everything He has given me.”
On the trip
coming up in March, Luke looks forward to working with his brothers and sisters
in Christ. Luke is looking forward to getting to know and encouraging everyone
of the 19 fellow-students on the team.
(Don’t forget your leaders, Luke! J )
Luke’s
hobbies include anything outdoors: hiking,
camping, playing soccer, or just learning more about God's creation. Interested
in the medical field, Luke invests some of his spare time in shadowing an ER
nurse or riding along with a paramedic.
When asked what
special skill he would desire if a superhero, Luke replied, “I would be known
for the ability to communicate with every animal.” (In our next interview
we will have to ask him why.)
“If I could
encourage someone today,” Luke shares, “I would tell them that Jesus is coming
back! We don't have an empty faith, and God will do all that He has promised.
Live in a way that you would be encouraged to see God coming back. Serve each
day with everything so that you may receive a crown of eternal glory!”
Drew’s family
has involved itself in serving every summer (for about the last eight summers)
with the Joni and Friends organization, specifically with their family retreats—camps
for families affected by disabilities.
Through his participation in those trips, Drew has gained a new
perspective on individuals and families who live with disabilities every day as
well as a desire to serve such families in his community.
On this trip
to Costa Rica, Drew looks forward to serving others through hard work. He also
looks forward to experiencing a new culture and to interacting with Spanish-speakers.
Drew’s
hobbies cover a wide-range of abilities and interests. In music, Drew plays the
viola in the school orchestra. In sports, he enjoys basketball—both watching
and playing—as well as running track. Drew also reads avidly. But above all
other hobbies, Drew has invested the most in solving Rubik’s cubes. Having
started at age nine, he has gained speed in completing the puzzle to the extent
that he is able to participate in competitions even on the international level.
“If I were a
super hero,” Drew states all in good taste and love, “I wouldn't have any
power. Instead I would have some sweet
technology paired with epic kung-fu skills to protect Legacy Christian Academy
from the awakening of the Bragg.” (There’s
a back-story. 😊)
Drew
encourages all of us to “Remember that your value does not rest on the opinions
of others. What really matters about you is that you are made in the image of
God and He loves you.”
