Since it is my first year at Prestonwood, I really had no idea what to expect going into my first ever minimester. The entire concept of having a mission trip incorporated into the school calendar and curriculum was such an exciting appeal when I started looking at the school, and after doing it I found it is a truly profound and incredible way to see God move and an opportunity we should truly treasure.

This year I visited Costa Rica, where we built a house for a couple in need. The couple owned a small piece of land, which they had been unable to build on since their son passed away from cancer over a decade ago. They had been living in a small, metal, one room shack, about the size of a small bedroom, where they slept on the floor, had no electricity, and no running water. Immediately upon reaching the site on the first day, I was struck with compassion for the family and gratitude for how blessed I am. I realized God gives us so much with the intention of using it for others, and felt so called to make a difference in the life of this couple. When we presented the house to the family, my friends and I gave the wife a cross we had brought on the trip with us. We explained how we had redeemed her land, and how Christ redeems us from our sin in the same way. When we shared the gospel with her, it brought her to tears. It was truly such an impactful experience for all of us.

I feel the way God really reached me, however, was through the neighborhood kids. As we worked on the side of the road, kids walking by stopped to give us hugs, not even knowing who we were. They were so full of love, it filled my heart. Everyday, as soon as these children got back from school, they came looking for us again and lit up with joy when they could be with us.

Specifically, there was one little girl named Lia who I met on the first day. We were playing jump rope and she came to join. After about half an hour, I moved from the jump rope to get paper and crayons for the kids to color with. Lia immediately came with me, and then signaled for me to hold her. She stayed in my arms or on my back for the rest of the day until we had to leave for lunch. Wherever I went, she begged to go with me. By the end of the day, she had drawn a picture of us with hearts and told me I was her big sister. Seeing the joy and love of Christ in kids who have so little forever changed my perspective on the world we live in and the eternity we have with God.

I absolutely cannot wait for next year’s minimester, and could not be more grateful for my week in Costa Rica! Thank you Jesus and Pura Vida!