Every year, Valley Christian students travel on mission trips to different parts of the world through a program called Engage. This year, Valley is sending students to five different countries within Central America, alongside others in different parts of the world. The Central American trips include sending students to Costa Rica, Honduras, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Curacao.
Costa Rica
From March 2nd to March 10th, Valley is sending students to minister to the kids of Costa Rica through sports and community service. These students will spend their trip creating bonds with the local Costa Rican community by ministering in classrooms, visiting orphans and widows, holding sports clinics, as well as through other opportunities that God will provide for the group. The students will be splitting their time between two cities: San Jose, the capitol, and Limon, a small city on the eastern coast.
The chaperones on this trip include Ms. Clausen, Señora Harrison, varsity boys’ soccer coach Kyle Juist, and junior varsity boys’ soccer coach Lake Jennett.
Junior Charis Barrett, a student on this trip, said, “I’m so excited to spread the love of God through teaching kids sports with my friends.”
Honduras
From March 2nd to March 9th, Valley is sending students to minister to the small island of Helene, Honduras. The island is often littered with trash and there is no air conditioning in the humidity, meaning that the families there are in need of hope and love. Because the island is only about two miles long and a mile wide, these students will have the ability to minister to most of the island and make an eternal difference in the life of those on this island in Honduras.
The chaperones on this trip include senior English teacher Mrs. Blum, sophomore Bible teacher Dr. Eason, and Mrs. Eason.
Sophomore Maddy Lewis, a student on this trip, said, “I’m so excited to be able to share my love of the Lord with the kids and grow closer with the people I’m traveling with.”
Cuba
From March 7th to March 14th, Valley is sending students to minister to Cuba, an oppressive country that is steeped in communism. It is an excellent place for these students to minister because of the impoverished neighborhoods bearing unfortunate children that are in much need of hope and love. The Christian Church in Cuba is thriving and ready to become a leading force in the community by working by the will of God to better the livelihood of everyone living there.
The chaperones on this trip include senior Bible teacher Mr. Van Bebber, senior history teacher Mr. Kristy, spanish teacher Señorita Martin, and substitute teacher and former VCJH Spanish teacher, Mrs. Juist.
Sophomore Teagan White, a student on this trip, said, “Although we haven’t discussed what we’re doing specifically, this is my first engage trip and I’m really excited to just be able to share the love of God with everyone that I meet!”
Dominican Republic
From March 8th to March 15th, Valley is sending students to minister to the people in the Dominican Republic. These students have the privilege to serve the community there by painting a church and a house of one of the church members, as well as witness to the people in the neighborhood of which they will be staying. These students will also get to lead a VBS for the children and possibly a sports camp.
The chaperones on this trip include IT specialist Mr. Hunsaker, Coach Snipes, and VINE Director, Mrs. Hunsaker.
Junior Claire Zienkewicz, a student on this trip, said, “I’m excited to live in a different community for a week as well as experience the culture and how they worship Jesus.”
Curacao
From March 6th to March 16th, Valley is sending students to minister to the impoverished families in Curacao. These students will spend most of their time ministering to children in grade school, teenagers, as well as families. They will have the opportunity to participate in community work projects while there and serve on the church campus to repay the people providing hospitality for them. The students will also gain the knowledge of Curacao’s history by visiting cultural place including a slavery museum so they can better understand the history of the people living there.
The chaperones on this trip include senior science teacher Dr. Miller and Mr. Miller.
Senior Kelsey Brooks, a student on this trip, said, “I’m excited to go on this trip and talk to a bunch of kids down there by leading worship at VBS. I also can’t wait to evangelize to the townspeople!”
Written by Elyse Davis ‘27, Rylan Ernst ‘26
Read more about each trip:
Costa Rica
Honduras
Cuba
Dominican Republic
Curacao
