We want you to meet the members of our 2014 Costa Rica/Nicaragua missions team. Just as we, the leaders, get to know the hearts and abilities of these young people, so we invite you to come along . . . . (Leader bios will be posted at the bottom of page.)
Murrin chose to participate in the missions trip because she is passionate about Jesus. She shares, "I want to obey and honor him by making disciples. I want to show other people the HOPE and JOY of being a disciple of Jesus Christ. Specifically, she chose the Costa Rica trip for several reasons--and first off because she loves speaking Spanish. Having enjoyed these first two years of high school study, she has every intention of using her "limited but ever-growing skills" to communicate the message of Jesus' love.
Previous ministries opportunities have included serving at five Joni and Friends family retreats, a family camp ministry that serves families affected by disability. These opportunities having had a huge impact on Murrin's life, she plans on having a job one day that enables her to work every day with people who have special needs. Overall, ministering with Joni and Friends has shown Murrin how ALL people have value in Jesus' eyes. "It has helped me to see a person's heart before their body. It has helped me to see ABILITIES rather than disabilities in every single person," she states.
Other interests of Murrin include playing soccer and participating in drama (including this year's musical). At home, she is a foster sister who loves playing and dancing with the three-year-old staying with the Brads.
Murrin reminds all of us that in Jesus there is hope -- a forever hope.
A fellow senior at Xenia Christian, Madison Castle also plans a 2014 graduation and college thereafter. Also a first-time team member, Madison’s interest in joining the ministry this year stems from her love to help people and spread the Gospel of Christ’s salvation. She, too, had heard many exciting and positive stories from previous team members and wants to share in that excitement personally. She has had previous experience on weekend mission trips to the city of Columbus, OH, where her youth group helps at an inner city home. This ministry has taught her the contrast of how blessed she is to that of how much less others have to get by in life.
Although this is Celeste’s first mission trip, she has heard of the incredible ministry experiences that people encounter on missions trips, and she herself wants to be part of sharing Christ’s amazing love to those in Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Her older sister had gone on a mission trip to Costa Rica when she had attended Xenia Christian, and Celeste wants to take her own understanding of the ministry and beauty beyond merely that which she has seen photographs. She especially looks forward to interacting with the kids down in Central America. She also looks forward to ministering with her father, Brent Davis, who will be a team leader this year.
Murrin Brads
A sophomore at Xenia Christian High School, Murrin Brads looks forward to one day studying occupational therapy and workin in special needs ministries. She even hopes one day, with her own family, to adopt children and to be a stay-at-home-forever-mama for all of her children.
Murrin chose to participate in the missions trip because she is passionate about Jesus. She shares, "I want to obey and honor him by making disciples. I want to show other people the HOPE and JOY of being a disciple of Jesus Christ. Specifically, she chose the Costa Rica trip for several reasons--and first off because she loves speaking Spanish. Having enjoyed these first two years of high school study, she has every intention of using her "limited but ever-growing skills" to communicate the message of Jesus' love.
Previous ministries opportunities have included serving at five Joni and Friends family retreats, a family camp ministry that serves families affected by disability. These opportunities having had a huge impact on Murrin's life, she plans on having a job one day that enables her to work every day with people who have special needs. Overall, ministering with Joni and Friends has shown Murrin how ALL people have value in Jesus' eyes. "It has helped me to see a person's heart before their body. It has helped me to see ABILITIES rather than disabilities in every single person," she states.
Other interests of Murrin include playing soccer and participating in drama (including this year's musical). At home, she is a foster sister who loves playing and dancing with the three-year-old staying with the Brads.
Murrin reminds all of us that in Jesus there is hope -- a forever hope.
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| Madison and Katie |
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| Celeste, Madison, and Rachel |
On this ministry trip, Madison looks forward to traveling and interacting with the team members, visiting a foreign country and learning about their culture. Ultimately, she looks forward to sharing God’s Word with others.
Madison also enjoys sports and art. She hopes to one day find a job where she can use her artistic ability every day. Another hobby she admits to: “I love to eat!”
To encourage others, Madison reminds that God loves each of us and is always there personally for each one.
Graduating from Xenia Christian this year, Celeste Davis looks forward to attending Cedarville University where she will major in social work and play on the reserve soccer team.
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| Celeste with sister Caitlin |
Celeste’s interests include a love for playing soccer, which she will continue in college, and even more so, she has a “huge heart” for children, which has led her to help kids in the future through social work.
“I am the Lord the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” This special verse, Celeste shares, reminds all of us to “keep your head up. Your storm is nothing compared to our God.”
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| Rachel on the Jan-2013 trip |
Rachel Graver joins the team for her second time this year as a junior from Xenia Christian. Looking forward to the future, she plans on attending a Christian college and play soccer as well as study.
Last year’s trip, Rachel says, “was such an eye-opener for me. The children, teens, and even adults were such genuine people.” They were interested in learning more about Christ. “Last year I went to Costa Rica,” she continues, “and it taught me how I need to put others above myself and always look to see what I can do to help someone else—not what can someone do to help me.”
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| Rachel directing this year's ministry mime |
Just as Rachel’s sister had during her own XC years, Rachel hopes to go on this trip as many years as possible. The mission trip to Costa Rica provides so many ways to share the Word of God. Rachel looks forward to seeing many of the “ticos/ticas” that she met last year, and she looks forward to this year’s new venture—going across the border and ministering in Nicaragua.
Other hobbies that Rachel enjoys include sports, anything imaginative, and photography. Hoping for a scholarship, Rachel hopes to play college soccer. She also enjoys hearing and telling jokes; “laughing is what makes everything ten-times better,” she states.
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| This is what it's all about. |
“No matter what is going on in your life--,” Rachel encourages, “No matter how much you feel you have messed up or if you’re lonely, God is the God of love and forgiveness and will always be waiting with open arms to receive you.” Rachel reminds us that God desires us to have Him present in each of our lives.
Janice Howarah A junior at Xenia Christian, Janice Howarah, choose to go on the Costa Rica missions trip because she had heard of others who had gone on the trip, had loved it, and had fallen in love with all the kids. Although she knows that she will not be able to talk and preach to every single person about Christ, she knows that she will be able to speak to many and really make a difference in those lives.
This being her first missions trip, Janice looks forward to meeting all the children and make them feel loved. She wants to be used of the Lord to make the kids feel cared for.
Janice's other interests include sports--particularly participating in soccer, basketball, and softball.She also enjoys spending her time with family and friends.
"If I could encourage someone else today," Janice shares, "I would tell them that every chance you get to go out and spend your time serving or just being with others, take that chance. In your later years you don't want to regret anything." Janice reminds us to make memories in life that can be shared with and that can inspire others.
Katie Miller states with all the enthusiasm she can muster, “I am a senior!” Another of our Xenia Christian veteran team members, Katie plans on going to school for Psychology and Interior Design, and additionally taking art history classes at the Art Institute of Chicago.
“I wanted to go back to Costa Rica because I loved being involved in other people’s lives by connecting them to Christ,” Katie shares. Even through this last year, Katie has kept contact with those that she met this past year and she is “excited to see some of them again!” Originally, she decided on joining the Costa Rica team because she studies Spanish and she had heard that she would have many opportunities to work with children. Throughout the adventure of working with the Costa Rica 2013 team, Katie had “loads of fun” acquainting herself with the other team members as well as sharing Christ’s love with children. The XC senior states that last year’s trip “really taught me to trust in God’s sovereignty and to trust that God really does know what He is doing.” She also developed a stronger faith in God’s answering of prayer—even the prayers that may seem “silly.”
This year—besides looking forward to warm weather—Katie looks forward to meeting new people with whom she is related to through Christ. “If I make a difference in one child’s life,” she states, “my mission will be accomplished!”
Besides her interest in missions, Spanish, and children’s ministries, Katie also loves theater. She has just finished participating in her eighth production with the Dramatic Arts Department at Xenia Christian (seven on stage, one as student directer). She looks forward to student directing the middle school play this year as well as being a part of the musical in the spring. Katie also spends quality time watching movies with friends and eating Chinese food. She hopes to discover a meaningful way to utilize those hobbies in the future, too.
Katie shared, “I want readers to know that I am super excited to go back to Costa Rica! I want them to know that last year in Costa Rica, for a few days we would drive through a valley to get to a church, and the drive was so pretty! Every morning in the van I would think ‘it would be so cool to walk to the church instead of drive!’ The last morning we were there, the bus got a flat tire and we had to walk to the church! I was so excited and spent the entire walk taking pictures and thanking God over and over again for letting me walk.
“If I could encourage someone, I would tell them: GOD KNOWS WHAT HE IS DOING! So often we do not give God credit for all he does, or we blame Him when things go wrong. But in the end, God’s plan is perfect. Look to God for all you do, and He will always be there and help you. He will be your strength and rock if you let Him.”
A first-timer to the Costa Rica team and to short-term missions in general, Haakon Nelson looks forward to meeting and interating with new people from a new culture. “I am looking forward to presenting the gospel, and I want to be a good example,” he states. “I’m also looking forward to working as a team.”
A junior at XCHS, Haakon plans on attending a Christian college in order to get a pre-med degree. His long-range dream is to become a medical doctor and travel to a foreign country. “I would be able to serve and share the love of Christ. Regardless of where I am, I want to strive to be obedient to God. I think now is a good time to start!”
Wanting to serve the Lord in every way possible, Haakon signed up for this particular team because he has heard great things about the Costa Rica trip from past year’s participants. He currently studies Spanish, so this sounded like a great fit.
Recently having studied through the gospels, Haakon shared Luke 14:27, 33: “And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple….In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.” Giving up material possessions, not worrying about life, forgetting about personal gain, putting your family behind, carrying your cross—all this is required to be Christ’s disciple. While a difficult calling, this life brings freedom. One who follows Christ needs not worry about anything of the world. One’s entire life is focused on one purpose: to obey God…and to be rewarded in heaven. “It’s amazing to think about,” reflects Haakon. “I encourage you to consider whether you are devoted to being Christ’s disciple.”
A senior at XCHS, Caitlin O’Guin looks forward to attending a Christian college and work toward ministry in the future. Having been on a state-side missions trip and watching family members participate in ministry trips to Brazil, Caitlin has desired for a long time to participate in a mission trip outside of the U.S. With having studied Spanish these four years, she thought Costa Rica would be a great opportunity to practice what she has learned. Above all, Caitlin adds, “I also love serving—Mission trips are all about serving.”
About her previous mission trip to Pikeville, KY, Caitlin remembers, “On this trip we built a new deck and ramp onto a house owned by a man who had medical problems and was in a wheelchair. When we were done, you could just see the gratitude he felt and had, and it was just a blessing for us to bless him.” On this trip to Costa Rica, Caitlin looks forward to getting close with the team and helping run the Bible schools for children.
Besides serving others (which may include baking them brownies or other delicious goodies, she shares), Caitlin also loves sports, specifically cross country and softball. She also loves to laugh (which any of those who have been around her long can attest to).
Another of our veteran team members, Savannah Slaton, hails from the DC campus from where she will graduate this year. Her plan includes majoring in fashion merchandising at Kent State, with a minor in journalism. While Savannah does not see full-time missions in her future, she states that going on a short-term trip really gives her a chance to spread God’s Word.
A senior in high school, Arin Wilgus plans on including Spanish language as one of a double major in college. He believes, too, that ultimately God may involve him in full-time mission work, and that possibility drives him to pursue short-term mission trips. This being his second trip, Arin chose again the field of Costa Rica because of this first trip and having grown closer to God through that experience. Arin states that that experience “really made me stop and examine my life. I have now wondered if God is leading me to be a part in missions in some way.” Whether long-term or short-term, Arin looks forward to serving God.
Tia Reilly The last of our four teacher-leaders in the group, Tia Reilly, is a fourth-year teacher at Xenia Christian High School. In 2009, Tia moved back to Ohio with her family after serving overseas with the mission agency ABWE. They first worked in Paraguay, South America, and then most recently, in Costa Rica for four years. The opportunity to return to the ministry, culture, and language of “home” is also an opportunity to encourage young people in their current spiritual walk as well as a chance to share with them what life and ministry looks like outside of the United States.
Married to Kevin Reilly, who teaches history in the middle school, the couple has four children and one grandchild. (The youngest two—Cole and Tara—are also XCHS graduates.) Tia’s other interests include reading and writing, piano and choir ministries, photography, and mindfulness.
Another of our veteran team members, Savannah Slaton, hails from the DC campus from where she will graduate this year. Her plan includes majoring in fashion merchandising at Kent State, with a minor in journalism. While Savannah does not see full-time missions in her future, she states that going on a short-term trip really gives her a chance to spread God’s Word.
On last year’s trip to Costa Rica, Savannah learned not to question God, but rather to just trust Him. On a previous trip in 2011, to the South American country of Peru, she learned to appreciate what God has blessed her with in this life. This year, she looks forward to building new relationships and continuing relationships that began last year, and above all, doing Christ’s work.
A large interest in Savannah’s life comes through her involvement in the DC cheer team. She particularly hopes to apply the values she has learned through cheering and through her youth group’s student leader team as she moves forward in college and in life.
A senior in high school, Arin Wilgus plans on including Spanish language as one of a double major in college. He believes, too, that ultimately God may involve him in full-time mission work, and that possibility drives him to pursue short-term mission trips. This being his second trip, Arin chose again the field of Costa Rica because of this first trip and having grown closer to God through that experience. Arin states that that experience “really made me stop and examine my life. I have now wondered if God is leading me to be a part in missions in some way.” Whether long-term or short-term, Arin looks forward to serving God.
Arin’s other interests include being outside, playing with his Airsoft, running track, and participating on the swim team. Above all, he LOVES Spanish.
Arin encourages everyone to go on a mission trip. “It expands your comfort zone,” he states. “You grow closer to God, get to serve Him, and you get to be a light for Him in another country.”
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 sixteen 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.
In 2010, the opportunity presented itself to her and another trip leader to set up a new missions venue. Another co-worker, who had spent several years working in Costa Rica as a missionary, connected Miss Clements with the Salley family who serve as church planters in that Central American country. 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.
In 2010, the opportunity presented itself to her and another trip leader to set up a new missions venue. Another co-worker, who had spent several years working in Costa Rica as a missionary, connected Miss Clements with the Salley family who serve as church planters in that Central American country. 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.”
Evan Ramey A 2013 graduate of Xenia Christian High School, Evan Ramey serves this year as one of our leaders. Having two previous ministry trip experiences as well as a summer internship with our host missionaries in Costa Rica, Evan brings with him valuable knowledge of both the countries we will visit as well as the dynamics needed for team success. Evan currently studies nursing at Wright State University and hopes to use nursing in the future on short-term mission trips that focus on that service to others. He has a special affinity for Costa Rica having had the three previous ministries in that country, and he has also worked with the Salleys in Nicaragua this past summer. He particularly looks forward to ministering again with the people of the two Central American countries.
Evan Ramey A 2013 graduate of Xenia Christian High School, Evan Ramey serves this year as one of our leaders. Having two previous ministry trip experiences as well as a summer internship with our host missionaries in Costa Rica, Evan brings with him valuable knowledge of both the countries we will visit as well as the dynamics needed for team success. Evan currently studies nursing at Wright State University and hopes to use nursing in the future on short-term mission trips that focus on that service to others. He has a special affinity for Costa Rica having had the three previous ministries in that country, and he has also worked with the Salleys in Nicaragua this past summer. He particularly looks forward to ministering again with the people of the two Central American countries.
Beyond ministry, Evan also enjoys every type of sport. He has concentrated experience in high school soccer, but in the future, he hopes that he is able to connect with others through sports in general.
Evan reminds us all that God will make the struggles through which we pass worth the effort. Do not give up on Him.
Tia Reilly The last of our four teacher-leaders in the group, Tia Reilly, is a fourth-year teacher at Xenia Christian High School. In 2009, Tia moved back to Ohio with her family after serving overseas with the mission agency ABWE. They first worked in Paraguay, South America, and then most recently, in Costa Rica for four years. The opportunity to return to the ministry, culture, and language of “home” is also an opportunity to encourage young people in their current spiritual walk as well as a chance to share with them what life and ministry looks like outside of the United States.
Having lived there, Costa Rica was an obvious choice for Tia last year when asked to go along as a teacher-leader. Being a part of the team enables her to get to know better the young people of the school where she teaches and encourage them in current and future ministries.
Tia has also participated in missions trips to Chile, South America. Retired Cedarville University professor Dr. Bev Monroe leads trips to English-speaking seminaries and Christian schools around the world in order to organize and digitally catalog their institute libraries. Tia has worked on four such projects with Dr. Monroe’s team, and may travel with them to Croatia this coming summer.
Married to Kevin Reilly, who teaches history in the middle school, the couple has four children and one grandchild. (The youngest two—Cole and Tara—are also XCHS graduates.) Tia’s other interests include reading and writing, piano and choir ministries, photography, and mindfulness.
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