2017 CR Team Member Bios -- Part 4 of 5

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.

Sophomore Clint Brads joins our team for the first time this year. Clint’s desire to serve others and spread the gospel in the Lord’s name spurred him on to apply for the trip. As he states, “We are called to make disciples and this is an opportunity to do just that.  I am also hoping that through serving others I will learn more about myself and about God.” Clint also had heard much about the trip from his sister Murrin who had gone several years and claimed it to be “an amazing experience.”

Other mission trips which Clint has attended primarily include Joni and Friends family retreats. Seven times he has participated in this week-long camp experience where peopled affected by disabilities come with their families. The families get to relax and have fun while those serving help to care for those with disabilities. “Serving at this camp,” Clint states, “has taught me how to put others in front of myself and look to their interests first.”

On this trip to Costa Rica, Clint looks forward to playing with and getting to know the kids in Costa Rica. He looks to build relationships. Furthermore, he looks forward to experiencing a foreign culture for the first time. Also, he shares, “I am excited to go and see how the Lord works through our team.” 

Clint’s hobbies include reading all types of books—but fiction is his favorite. He plays the cello, the string bass, the bass guitar, and he loves to sing.  He also enjoys playing soccer and basketball—and generally all sports.  He has played for several school teams.  If he were a superhero, Clint would like to have the power of teleportation. That way he could take food, water, and medical supplies to third-world countries. “I would try to spread the gospel to those I helped,” he adds.

To encourage others, Clint reminds that each person is unique and created in God’s image. No matter what other people think, he shares, God loves each of us and thinks we are worth dying for. He also encourages each individual “to stand up for what is right even when no one else will.”

Our team is excited this year to have a mother join the chaperone crew.  Denise Griffith, parent to Rachel, will come along in order to use her medical training as a physician. “Using my medical training to help others in another country is exciting,” she shares. “I work with underserved here in the United States, but I know the needs and resources will be different in Costa Rica. And of course the opportunity to go with my daughter is wonderful!”  She also looks forward to using her medical skills while also sharing Christ’s message of love and salvation.

When in college, Denise took her first missions trip inner-city New York City, and “it was eye opening.”  At the time, she had no idea that working with the underserved was in her future, but even so, “it was so valuable to see first-hand their struggles and their faith.” 

 

Denise’s hobbies include playing the piano, reading, walking for exercise, and spending time with her family.  As her husband is the pastor of a church, being a pastor’s wife occupies much of her life and ministry as well. 

When asked what super power she would prefer if she were a superhero, Denise replied, “Does being able to cry with others in their joy and pain count? Just kidding, but my family likes to tease me about it. Prayer is my superpower and I use it often throughout the day for my family, friends, and patients. It makes all the difference!”  She reminds all of us that God is good.  “No matter what happens,” she states, “He carries you through it and draws you nearer to Him.”

One of our juniors on the team and another first-timer, Tabitha Moser became interested in the trip after hearing from others what an amazing experience short-term mission trips can be (specifically the Costa Rica trip).  She looks forward to having the opportunity to share God's love with others.

In that our team works a lot with children’s Bible clubs, Tabby looks forward to teaching younger kids God. Our trip this year also includes medical outreach, and she wants to work in the medical clinics as well.  

Basically, Tabby looks forward to working and doing everything with the team. 

Tabby’s hobbies include sports—particularly, she enjoys soccer, basketball, and softball.  At Legacy Christian Academy, she has participated in several sports teams over the years. “And if I'm not busy with school or sports,” she shares, “I enjoy reading and hanging out with my friends.”

If she were a superhero, Tabitha would like be known for super strength so that she could save people from crashes, falling buildings, or rock slides.

In real life, she would encourage others by telling them that in order to accomplish your goals and dreams, “keep working. With God, anything is possible.”

Senior Garrett Rowland has always wanted to participate in missions work, and yet not had the chance to do so before. So when the opportunity to minister in Costa Rica presented itself, he could not wait to go.  “I love the idea of going to Costa Rica—the culture is amazing and I am so excited.” 

Garret looks forward to working with his fellow students to share the gospel. He also is “excited to be thrown into a different environment and have [his] comfort zone extended.”

After graduation from LCA this year, Garrett plans to attend either Wright State University or Grove City College after graduation.  Garret’s hobbies include “messing” with computers and utilizing technology (his favorite!).  Furthermore, when asked what super power he would like to have if he were a superhero, he would like to have the ability to hack anything he needed to.

Garrett puts his technological skills to use at school running the sound board for chapel. And he also loves playing guitar. 

Garrett reminds us that even when things get thrown at us that we are not expecting, we need to “keep on keeping on, and persevere. God has a plan for us, even when we don’t realize it.”

  

“I have developed a deep respect for the team of LCA leaders and students that are a part of the Costa Rica trip and want you to know they represent LCA extremely well,” shares Brian Ray, our veteran chaperon, the guys’ leader on the 2016 trip. Brian works as the Development and Outreach for the Pregnancy Resource Clinic of Clark County. He has been married to Shari for 32 years; Shari works at Cedarville University as Staff Accountant. Brian and Shari have four children, and as of December, Brian also has grandpa bragging rights as his daughter Krista and her husband Miles McGee welcomed Ethan into the Ray clan. Brian’s other children include Meagan (a registrar and ESL teacher in Indiana, Lindsey (married to Adam Brown and living in Florida), and B.J. Ray, a videographer, also living in Florida.

As for his short-term plans in life, he plans to purchase green coffee beans in Costa Rica.  And his long-range plans including roasting, sharing, and enjoying aforementioned coffee.

Brian’s interest in this mission trip with Legacy Christian Academy is a direct result of last year’s trip experience with another school--Xenia Christian School. (Ha, ha, Brian. LOL and all that.)

Here are Brian’s top memories and attractions of Costa Rica:

• Friends met in Costa Rica (the Salley Family, Sam and Rebecca Vargas, Luisca, Mau, Gabrielle, and more)
•  Good times with LCA Students and staff (Matt, Luke, Tyler, Rachel, Tia and Camille)
• The passion of the CR people for evangelism and opportunity which is a positive influence on our LCA students
•  The expected impact of the trip on LCA students (as it was on XCS students in 2016 :)
• The people, the children, language, culture and incredible beauty of Costa Rica
• The beaches (I won’t visit), the volcanoes (I might visit), and the coffee (I’ll bring home).

Brian’s first mission trip was to inner-city Cleveland, OH, when he was fifteen years old (like twenty years ago, he says J). A few years later he went to Del Ray Beach, FL, and a few years after that to West Palm Beach, FL. Since those trips, it was not until last year that he again explored short-term missions.   

“People don’t care what you know until they know you care,” Brian shares. “I’m thrilled for another opportunity to participate in taking teenagers out of their comfort zone, equipping them to serve others, and watching them exercise spiritually. These experiences usually result in maturity as students express themselves and grow their understanding of the world and relevance of their faith. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that? Today, I have the privilege of working in ministry and trace my passion back to such experiences.”

On this particular trip, Brian looks forward to watching our young people grow as they serve and overcome challenges. He loves getting to know the students and interacting with and encouraging them.  He also looks to reconnect with friends made in Costa Rica as well as to making new friendships.  As he mentions, even we leaders as adults deepen our own walks with Christ.  And there is always the unknown adventure, the fresh fruit, the tastes, sounds, smells, and sights of Costa Rica.  And, of course, the coffee!

Brian’s hobbies include anything that constitutes a challenge.  He enjoys home improvement projects and despise paying for something I can learn to do myself.  He also likes golf, fishing, and gardening. When asked what super hero power he would like to have, Brian replied, “My imagination of my ‘super hero power’ has grown from putting people at ease so they transparently share their heart to combine with my uncanny ability to communicate truth to be so influential, it causes them to desire and embrace positive change in their life.” (Wow! That’s a power all right.)

Specifically—and on the very real-life side of the matter, Brian goes on, “We have such different needs at different times in our lives … I would hope to discerningly speak truth according to they were ready to hear with grace and love. They might just need someone to listen; in which case I would merely want to be a listener and let them know that I cared.”

Another new sophomore on the team, David Rose, choose to participate in this ministry trip in order to reach the people of Costa Rica for Christ, and to make new friends. “I have always had a heart for missions,” he shares, “and can’t wait to go back to Costa Rica.”  David went years before on a mission trip to Costa Rica.  On that trip, he learned to be more compassionate and loving to all people, especially to those less fortunate than he.

On this particular trip, David looks forward to see how God moves in people’s lives. He looks forward to making new relationships with people he meets and to strengthen his relationships with the people he already knows.

David’s interests include playing tennis and hanging out with his friends.  If he were to have a super power, “it would have to be super speed,” he shares.  

David reminds the readers that we are all created in God’s image.  Each person is “very special and awesome.”

2017 CR Team Member Bios -- Part 3 of 5

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. 

One of our new team members, sophomore Rylanne Burdette has always had a passion for working with children, and this short-term ministry offers her the opportunity to spread love to children and build relationships with them. Having the chance to minister in another culture also piques her interest. Already she has enjoyed reading and learning about Costa Rica and its people and culture.

Rylanne looks forward to building relationships with the people with whom we will spend time.  Because of her passion for children, she is particularly looking forward to building friendships with the children with whom we minister in Bible clubs.

At LCA, Rylanne invests time and energy as a varsity cheerleader and also helping with stage crew for the production of The Wizard of Oz.  Rylanne’s other hobbies include reading, writing, and singing.  If she were to have a superpower, Rylanne would like to have a photographic memory.  That way, after she read or saw anything—even if only once—she would remember it forever and for anytime—including sharing Bible verses in order to share the gospel.

 

To encourage, Rylanne reminds each of us, “You are amazing, you are brave, you are strong.”  “Insecurity,” she says, “is a part of today’s world. And encouragement can really life one’s spirits.”

As a senior, Austin Frueh, plans to attend Wright State University to study mechanical engineering after graduating this year. He chose to join this Costa Rica trip because he has gone on other trips before and truly been blessed. He also has heard that Costa Rica is beautiful. Austin thoroughly enjoys serving others and working hard. “And everything is always better when you have a great team like I do.” Furthermore, Austin looks forward to being able to put his classroom Spanish to use in ministering to others.

Two summers ago, Austin had the opportunity to travel with his church to El Salvador. He appreciated the relationships he built and the memories made. It also sparked the interest to study the Spanish language to use in real life. He looks forward to be able to use what he has learned in language to serve the people and show God’s love and message of salvation. “It would be so cool,” Austin shares, “to see kids come to Christ through our ministry.”

Austin’s hobbies include soccer, baseball, and basketball. He loves spending time with his friends, being outside, and seeing God’s creation. He shares that if he were a superhero, he would love to be known for having a super mind that solves problems and conflicts in an instant.

In encouraging others, Austin would do so with the words that he himself often needs to hear.  “God’s forgiveness,” he says, “is greater than anything you can do against Him. He will never give up on you but will be there to help you when you fall.”

Senior and trip veteran Rachel Griffith plans to attend, after graduation, Indiana Wesleyan University with a major in English and a minor in Spanish.  Her experience on the trip last year was “mind-blowing,” and she is eager to return.  “The love of the ticos and the acceptance that they had for us reflected the love of Jesus and calmed many fears about culture shock and new surroundings.”  That experience last year forced “me to reflect on my life and the things that I take for granted. The trip showed me God’s providence even in crazy situations.”

This year, Rachel looks forward to revisiting her tico friends that she made last year—AND making new friends this year.  She eagerly awaits reliving the mission experience—especially since this year—with her mother along.  Mrs. Griffith, a medical doctor, will be assisting our team with the medical outreach ministry.

Rachel’s hobbies include writing, reading, and drawing.  She also enjoys watching Netflix and spending time with friends.  If she were a superhero, she would like to be Batman because “not only does he help people as Batman, but also as Bruce Wayne. He gives to others with this wealth and his knowledge works to make life for others better.”

Rachel leaves the readers with a quote from author Earnest Hemingway: “True courage is grace when under fire.”

Junior Anne Kensinger looks forward to this her first mission trip. In particular, her reason for choosing this particular opportunity to join the Costa Rica team is because she wants to share the gospel. She has seen pictures from previous ministry trips and it inspire her to share her own faith story. Furthermore, she looks forward to helping with the medical outreach clinics and meeting and helping children.

Anne enjoys participating in athletics and has been part of several school teams: cross country, volleyball, basketball, track, and softball. She also loves spending time with friends, and in her family of eleven(!) family time is special (Anne is in the exact middle of 9 siblings). When asked what super power she would want to have as a superhero, she would want to fly, just because “I would love to fly.”

Anne would like readers to remember that God made each of us just the way he wanted to. “You are beautiful for you are made in His image. No words or thoughts could take that away.”

Another of our new team members, senior, Ariana Nelson, plans to study nursing at Cedarville University.  In considering this opportunity to minister on a short-term ministry trip, Ariana wanted to see people come to know the Lord. She wants to be part of the “Lord’s team and see the ways that He will work when we depend on Him.”

In that this is her first mission trip, Ariana looks forward to going to a new place to meet new people and learn about their culture. She wants to make new friends and see God’s hand at word.  (She will.) 

Ariana enjoys playing sports, running, singing, and cooking and baking. If she were to have a superpower, she would like to have the ability to memorize anything. With that power “I old memorize the entire Bible and be able to share the gospel or any specific verse with any person at any time.”

Ariana encourages those going through hard times to remember to look for the bright side of situations.  “Always count your blessings and especially thank the Lord for being with you.  You probably have a lot more blessings than you realize.”

One of our veteran team members, LCA Junior Matt Sullivan has missions in his heart! He loves to serve others and show people—specifically children—God’s perfect love. Ever since he went on the trip last year, his goal has been to return. “Costa Rica,” he shares, “impacted my life. Seeing the love and community of the ticos was amazing to me.” (“Tico” is the nickname for Costa Ricans.)

 

Besides having gone with Xenia Christian (LCA) last year to Costa Rica, Matt has also gone to Chicago with his eighth grade class. These mission trips have inspired Matt to love people he had never considered loving before:  all the world needs God’s love through each of us—not just our friends and family. On this trip, Matt looks forward to developing my Spanish language skills even more this time. He also prays to grow his love for the ticos even more.

Matt’s hobbies include reading, watching “Shark Tank,” but mostly he loves attending LCA sports games. He loves cheering on his classmates.  “If I were ascribed a super power,” Matt shares, “I believe people would describe me with the power to make people cheerful when they are down.”  (This writer verifies this as quite true in her opinion.)

To encourage others, Matt tells each of us to “hold on to God.”  God cares for each and of us and loves us; there is peace in Him.  “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1

2017 CR Team Member Bios -- Part 2 of 5

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).

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!”

New to the Costa Rica team this year is junior Drew Brads. He joins the team because of an interest in being a “small part of God’s work in another country.” He desires to see how the church works in another culture, and to actually participate in that difference. “I'm especially excited for Costa Rica,” Drew shares, “because of the opportunity to learn more Spanish and to try to communicate more with native speakers. My sister Murrin went on this same trip a few years ago and has told me about the great opportunities to learn and grow through serving others, so I can't wait to follow in her footsteps.”

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.” 

2017 CR Team Member Bios -- Part 1 of 5

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.

Lyndsey Phillips, a junior this year at Legacy Christian, “simply loves mission trips.”  She states, “I love getting to share Christ with others. I've been on other mission trips before and I always come back changed in some way.”  Lyndsey always looks for those opportunities in her life, and when this trip invited new members, she was ready to try it. 

Lyndsey’s own family experienced prepared her for exactly this adventure.  In 2010, with her family, Lyndsey traveled and lived in Africa for nearly five months.  While she was only ten years old at the time, she shares that the trip impacted her life in a great way.  “My eyes were opened for the first time to an entirely different culture. While traveling there we also got to visit London for a few days and while traveling back we got to visit Germany for a few days. It was a trip of a lifetime that I will never forget.”

In 2014, Lyndsey had the opportunity to travel to Guatemala. Now older, Lyndsey feels this trip had even a greater impact.  She remembers that everyone there always had a smile on their face. The kindness was so powerful and so different from America.

This year, Lyndsey looks forward to getting to know the students on the team better.  They are not in her usual circles, so she looks forward to new friendships.  She is ultimately looking forward to serving and helping others, whether team members or those on the field.

Lyndsey’s hobbies include theater, shopping at Bath and Body Works, listening to music, and spending time with family and friends. When asked what she would like to be able to do if she were a super hero, she responded, “I would be known for being able to read people's minds. I would be able to know everything that goes through their mind.”

Not sure how that ability would help mankind, she did want to encourage our audience with these thoughts: “I know a lot of girls struggle with self-confidence. They always compare themselves to other girls. I would tell those girls that outward appearance doesn't matter. Inward appearance is what a person should focus on. We are all beautiful in God’s eyes and we were made just the way he wanted us to be. Love yourself the way God created you.”

One of our new chaperone recruits is Rene Panosian. With 36 years of nursing experience and a Master's degree in community health nursing, Rene teaches as an Adjunct Instructor at Cedarville University.  She will lead up a new venture on our mission trip tour:  medical outreach clinics.

Rene regularly enjoys serving the Lord by providing in many different capacities to those people the Lord puts in her path on a daily basis.  She currently volunteers at Legacy Christian Academy by leading Mom's in Prayer and providing support to the teachers and staff; she also volunteers at her church, Dayton Avenue Baptist, and in the community. 

Married to husband Mike for almost 30 years, Rene has two young adult children: Stephen (an XC alumni who served on this trip and many subsequent trips with the Salley family) who is married to Anna (Stephen and Anna are also nurses and desire to serve as medical missionaries in Costa Rica, in the future.); and daughter Stephanie who is also an XC alumni and who has served in Costa Rica several times throughout high school and college (Stephanie presently teaches first grade in the Dominican Republic).    

Although Rene is a first-timer on this trip, she states that she has gained a lot of knowledge about the needs of the Ticos by hearing the many stories over the years from the Salleys and from her own kids as well as from other team members.  Rene shares, “I'm very excited to serve on this trip, as I have enjoyed sharing the love of Christ in our own country for many years.... I know there are many needs around the globe. While raising our children in our Air Force moves, I was always delighted to connect with the church and jump right into the activities of sharing Christ's love with others….In May, while in Dominican Republic, I was privileged to connect with some of the local youth and share in praying and sharing testimonies.... the love of Christ was evident there too.”

During that Dominican work, Rene shared about spending time visiting and praying with two dedicated ladies who cared for preschoolers in a very poor little village.  “I was reminded that even when we don't speak the same language,” she says, “God hears our prayers in one accord! I really enjoyed "humming along" familiar hymns in the church there even though I don't speak Spanish. The Love of Christ prevails when we just go and follow his lead and be there for others.  I was reminded at the time of the verse from the very first Costa Rica trip in 2011: ‘How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, Your God reigns.’ Isaiah 52:7.”

Another student member of the name, Caroline Nestor, is a senior with college plans of majoring in church ministry and minoring in children’s ministry and Spanish language.  Although she has not been a member of the XCS/LCA Costa Rica mission team, Caroline has had the privilege of ministering in Costa Rica when she was a freshman in high school; since that time, God has put in Caroline, a strong heart for missions.  She shares, “I am so excited to go back and see what the Lord has for us to do during this trip.”

“Going to Costa Rica my freshman year changed everything,” she remembers.  “Looking back, I know that trip was a huge stepping stone towards my calling into ministry and my passion for helping people around the world.”

On this trip, Caroline looks forward to anything and everything, but in particular, she is most excited to help with Vacation Bible School and to show love to the kids.

Caroline’s hobbies include writing, singing, and playing piano. If she were a super hero, according to Victoria Howarah, Caroline would “shoot rainbows and always make it sunny.”  Caroline does that simply with her smile.

Caroline would like others to know that “whatever is happening if life, good or bad, Jesus loves them, I love them, and that everything will work out the way the Lord has planned.”

Camille Clements, our team leader, 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/Legacy Christian for twenty 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.

In 2010, the opportunity presented itself to her and another trip leader to set up a new mission trip 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. This past summer (2016), Miss Clements had the opportunity to spend a month in the country-side of Costa Rica with her sister and niece.  They enjoyed living the lives of ticos and exploring the country and culture at their own pace. 

QUESTIONS asked of interviewees:

1.   Name, year are you in high school, and if a senior, your plans for next year.

2.   Why are you interested in doing a short-term missions trip? What about Costa Rica particularly interests you (if anything)?

3.   If any, what other mission trips have you gone on?  How did it impact your life/heart/ministry/whatever?

4.   What are you looking forward to on this particular trip?

5.   What are your hobbies or other interests?  (Or what would you like readers to know about you?)

6.  If you were a super hero, what power would you be known for (and of, use for the good of all mankind)?

7.   If you could encourage someone else today, in any way (emotionally, friendships, spiritually), what would you say?

First official team meeting

This past Wednesday, our 2017 Costa Rica team met for its first official work meeting.  We discussed our team mission and verse:

Mission statement:  Ambassadors of Christ spreading the love of Jesus by humbly serving others and witnessing to the nations.

Team verse:  2 Corintios 5:20Así que, somos embajadores en nombre de Cristo, como si Dios exhortase por medio de nosotros; os rogamos en nombre de Cristo: Reconciliaos con Dios. 

Oops, I mean:  II Corinthians 5:20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

We also had some fun with team-building assignments and learning a children's song in Spanish. Prayer partner's were assigned, and we began our battle with prayer.  We are also studying the book Foreign to Familiar, an excellent resource for cross-cultural relations.

Another part of our "work week," is to meet at Tuesday lunch time to practice our conversational Spanish.  Esta semana usamos el tiempo para practicar saludos y palabras que trata de las carreras.

Please continue to pray with us!

(More pictures on the Facebook site:  Legacy @ Costa Rica

Back to School -- Let's Get Busy!

We are back to work now--ready for second semester and revving up for our ministry week in Costa Rica.  This week we meet on Thursday at lunch time (1/5) and next week after school on Wednesday from 3:15-4:30. Vamos a reunir cada miércoles asi. Y tenemos que arreglar unos almuerzos para practicar el Español juntos, ¿verdad?

Today, Señorita Clements, Mrs. Panosian, and Mrs. Reilly (Mama Tia) got together to start thinking through some of the planning. What fun it was to show Mrs. Panosian all the places we've been in these past six trips.

Now, let's be ready for what God will do in us and through us on trip #7.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

A New Year, A New Team!

A fresh group of workers--and we are delighted to share ministry with them and with you!

Trip dates:  March 11 – 20, 2017

18 of our 20 student team members.  Miss Clements also has four fellow leaders signed up thus far.

Parent Meeting

Trip Leader Camille Clements

Host missionary family

Last years leaders all returning! That's a good sign.
Brian Ray, Camille Clements, and Tia Reilly