Team Member Bios and Testimonies, Part I

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 . . . . 

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.”

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 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).