Monday, March 09, 2026

Senior Missions 2026

Posted by: Amaya 
Day 4 of the seniors Costa Rica missions trip was very amazing. Saturday started off as a beautiful day, it was sunny. We started off our morning with some delicious breakfast, but also an amazing TAG time, led by Pastor Hood. After that was finished, we set off to do our second to lasVBS's, starting off with the morning and ending the day with the afternoon. Christian and Geremiah had an amazing experience that day, by leading two teenage boys to the glory of God. Our day was so amazing that day, at the end of our afternoon VBS we were able to have a class soccer game. It was a very eventful few games, everyone was either up being active and some were cheering on their fellow classmates. After coming back to Pura Vida we were ending with dinner and worship, then we called it close on our fourth day at Pura Vida missions. 




Day 5 of the seniors in Costa Rica missions trip was a beautiful Sunday. We started with church, it was hard to understand a lot of the sermon, but it was amazing to see a glimpse of what Heaven would be like where every tribe and every tongue will come together to worship the only Father in Heaven. Arriving back to Pura Vida after church we enjoyed a much needed lunch, as everyone was starving. After enjoying our delicious food provided by the Pura Vida staff we then started to prepare for our last VBS of our Costa Rica missions adventure. It was a bittersweet goodbye for everyone, as we made connections and bonds with the sweetest, kindest, most grateful kids. Coming back to Pura Vida for our last dinner, which was spaghetti instead of rice and beans! We had our final worship which was very emotional and a beautiful experience. We ended our final night at Pura Vida by bonding and talking with our entire class. 



Day 6 of the seniors Costa Rica missions trip started off most wonderful. We enjoyed a delicious breakfast and then experienced having a great TAG time led by the leader of Pura Vida missions, Albert! We then went our separate ways and had a very great individual TAG time. After we prepared for our depart from Pura Vida, we said our goodbyes to the amazing Pura Vida missions staff that showed amazing hospitality for the last five days of our trip. We then set off to the Los Lagos resort where we zip lined through the trees then ended our time there with the hot springs in the resort that was looking at the valcano, which was very beautiful. After our time there was done we all came to the Magic Mountain hotel, we enjoyed a delicious much needed buffet style dinner and dessert, and finishing our night with dips in the pool to kill time before lights out. 


posted by the Seniors at 3/09/2026 11:45:00 PM

Day 4 - Sophomore Mission Trip - 2026

Posted by: Mia Silva and Mr. Hood

Day 4! We woke up to a foggy morning here at LVR. Breakfast was a southern specialty of biscuits and gravy. We then did our devotional where we read about Ephesians 5. Then we got split into groups to do some work off campus! 

My group went out to this beautiful women’s care center where we cleaned it up and built a fence. Afterwards, we got to know a little bit more about the place and how life is a gift of God that we should never take advantage of. Afterwards we went to a park to have some lunch and we walked a little bit to explore.

Another group went to a camp called Back2BasicsAdventures - where they seek to help people find silent, solitude, read scripture and do sabbath. Our group helped in a number of ways including digging out a culvert that was filled with the VERY sticky Tennessee mud!




We then reconnected with the other groups to a hiking site where we hiked a trail to see the beautiful waterfall - Margarette Falls. The mountains were absolutely breathtaking. God‘s creation is so amazing. Some of our class braved the incredibly cold water while others were adventurous and went up with Mr. Hood on the rocks. 


Afterwards we were heading back into campus and unfortunately, one of the buses broke down.



Thankfully we were able to send the two vans back to get the group and everybody made it back safely! We then had dinner and our evening service where we worshiped and talked about Ephesians Ch. 5. We then had some free time where we play pickle ball, football, bake, talk and have fun. What an interesting day today was and tomorrow is our last day before we head home on Weds.

posted by the Sophomores at 3/09/2026 11:32:00 PM

Sunday, March 08, 2026

Day 3 - Sophomore Mission Trip - 2026

Posted by: Mia Silva

Day 3! Today is Sunday so we woke up early, ate some breakfast and headed over to FFC church with the workers at Longview! It was a beautiful service where we talked about the book of Hebrews. After the service, we got changed to go hiking, and went to grab something to eat. God had other plans, the weather was a bit rainy so we had to move the hiking to another day. We went to Walmart afterwards to grab some stuff we might need for the rest of the trip. We came back to campus and had some free time where we baked, played soccer, and pickleball. Then we had dinner and the staff bought us pizza! We then later had our evening service where we worshiped, and talked about Ephesians 4. We ended the night with some more free time that consisted of a big game of manhunt!!

posted by the Sophomores at 3/08/2026 10:47:00 PM

Saturday, March 07, 2026

Day 2 - Sophomore Mission Trip - 2026

Posted by: Mia Silva and Mr. Hood

Good-morning! We woke up extra early today to experience the sunrise with the gorgeous view of the mountains! it was a beautiful view with chilly weather, roosters crowing and we even saw some horses getting some breakfast, Gods creation is truly beautiful. 



Then afterwards we moved to the dining room to eat some delicious breakfast tacos. Devotional time was next and after that we got split into two groups, some people went off campus to help clean up some properties that were damaged in hurricane Helene while other group stayed on campus to continue some work from yesterday.

After a couple hours of working, we went back to campus to have lunch. After lunch and a little break, we went back to work and the people that went off campus went to work at a large campsite that had been devastated by the flooding from Helen. The barn at the campsite was full of animals and we worked around the barn. It was a beautiful experience being with dogs (and some little puppies), goats, peacocks, and alpacas.




We came back to campus and did our evening activities, some went paintballing and some baked brigadeiros with Ms. Poole. 


Afterwards we had some more free time to play soccer, play games, talk and more! we then had our evening service , where we worship and talked about Ephesians 3!


posted by the Sophomores at 3/07/2026 10:12:00 PM

Friday, March 06, 2026

Day 1 - Sophomore Mission Trip to LVR 2026

Posted by: Mr. Hood
Our trip started with an adventure of our flight being delayed by 2 hrs in FLL. Thankfully all went smoothly after that and we arrived VERY late into Longview Ranch last night which resulted in most of us getting to sleep at approx. 2AM! 

We allowed everyone to sleep in a bit and the morning began at 9am with a delicious meal of waffles - with toppings of berries and whipped cream; scambled eggs and sausage. Super yummy! After breakfast we had our morning devotions of personal time in the book of Ephesians. Today was chapter 2. It is a beautiful setting to have time alone with God as we look out at the Smokey Mountains from the LVR dining hall. 
After our devotional time, we broke into 6 different work groups to do projects all around the LVR property. Some students painted fences, others cleaned areas behind the barn and many others carried tree limbs that had been trimmed to the LVR staff member who was turning them into mulch. The students worked incredibly hard and we are so proud of them all!

During the free time after work, students were playing bball in the pavilion, resting in their cabins or enjoying the rocking chairs on the front porch of the dining hall. Dinner were some fabulous burrito bowls and fun cupcakes for dessert. After dinner we made our big circle of chairs and each student and chaperone read their verse as we began our memorization work of the book of Ephesians. We then had a wonderful time of student led praise and worship before our discussion on what the students highlighted in Ephesians chapters 1 & 2 from morning devotions. It was a tremendous ending to a powerful first day! Thanking God for all of His work in us already on this trip. 





posted by the Sophomores at 3/06/2026 10:38:00 PM

Senior Missions 2026

Posted by: Amaya

Day 3 of the seniors in Costa Rica! We all had a very wonderful day, the morning VBS was very fun for some because of the amount of kids that came to play and hear the gospel. We then went Las Musas waterfall where we all enjoyed a refreshing swim under the fall, but also in the pool! We all enjoyed watermelon, chips, and arroz con pollo (rice and chicken) by the pool. Some went on the waterslide that was also there. When finished we all set out to do our last VBS of the day with the kids, continuing to bring light to their day! We came back to Pura Vida and enjoyed free time until dinner and worship. 






posted by the Seniors at 3/06/2026 06:09:00 PM

Local Missions Blog

Local Missions Update:
St. Andrews Estates and Palm Beach Food Bank




















Posted by: Karina Brekel
Wednesday, March 5

We started today with Mrs. Meurs leading a devotional and heading to Florence Fuller around 8:30. First, we dropped off the students going to the East and headed to the West location. We spent the next couple of hours reading, playing, doing arts and crafts, and much more with the kids. They were thrilled to have us around…wanting to learn our names and have us help them with little things. Then we headed back to the school to eat lunch, which was Pollo Tropical. After lunch, at around 12:30, we headed North to the Palm Beach Food Bank. This was the first time going to this food bank, unaware of what we were doing at first, but it worked out according to God's plan. We bagged food that was given to children all across the Palm Beach area, which would be given to children on a Friday for a weekend supply for them and their families. We integrated with other volunteers and helped a ton. At 2:45, we left and came back to the school at 3:20 for early dismissal. 


Thursday, March 6

Today, we had another devotional led by Mrs. Cronin and headed for Florence Fuller around 8:30. At the West Location, it was Dr. Seuss day, where kids walked around and paraded their Dr. Seuss hats and matching books. We danced and had so much fun. The kids are getting used to us now, and in the end, we were able to play tag and bubblegum bubblegum with them. At 11:30 we were back at the school for lunch…which was pizza, and had a nice break. Afterwards, we went up north to the Palm Beach food bank, bagging and sorting black beans along with the same weekend bags as yesterday. We packed over 900 backpacks of food for children and their families. 


Rand McKelvin - March 10, 2026

Today we started with a devotional led by Mrs Swad before going off to Florence Fuller. I was put in age group 4-5 to help the kids with their daily routine in their class. It was an incredible experience to watch first hand how their teacher(Mr Pierre) can get them under control and help them with their learning. I noticed that having a calm attitude when correcting problems is more affective when teaching kids their age. I also had a fun time seeing how the kids act with each-other and seeing them treat each-other with kindness. It was a wonderful experience that I’m happy to have had on this local trip.


posted by the Locals at 3/06/2026 12:13:00 PM

Thursday, March 05, 2026

Junior Trip day 2

Today, students began the day with breakfast and devotions at 7:30 a.m. Some woke up earlier to go for a walk or run, while others went to watch the sunrise.  


Later, we toured the former house of Warren Jeffs and learned about events that happened there, including the experiences of the people who were affected. Afterwards, we went on a city tour of cities of Hildale, Colorado City, and Centennial Park, which are apart of religious groups like the FLDS and the Centennial Park group.  


After the tour, we went to lunch and then went to work at a local horse ranch owned by a rancher named Dal. We helped clean the pastures, and some encountered the horses while cleaning.  


In the afternoon, we chose whether to go on a hike or visit the town’s supermarket. We came back together later for dinner, and the day ended with devotionals led by our chaperones and free time.


posted by the Juniors at 3/05/2026 10:52:00 PM

Senior Missions 2026

Posted by: Amaya

Day 1 of Costa Rica for this years senior class had a great day! We arrived safely and arrived at Pura Vida and enjoyed a great lunch provided by the staff here. We then prepped for Thursday's VBS by acting out bible story scenes and songs scheduled for the kids to hear. We enjoyed a nice, much needed dinner of rice, beans, chicken, and salad. Some of us later, embarked on a journey to the local, small grocery store near Pura Vida. We also enjoyed a very well conducted sermon by Albert, the director here at Pura Vida. Later, we wrapped everything up and set up the last things for VBS then called it a night. 

Day 2 of Costa Rica for this years senior class started quite early. We all enjoyed a hearty breakfast and a very wonderful TAG time set for us. When we finished all of that up we set off to our sites for the week. All groups had a great time! This morning was a more quiet morning for most, the afternoon on the other hand was more lively for some. The beginning of bonds formed for some in the afternoon. We came back ready for some free time, dinner, and worship. We will prep for tomorrow and then we will do it all again tomorrow at our sites!






posted by the Seniors at 3/05/2026 06:03:00 PM

Thursday, February 26, 2026

Posted by:
We are so excited for our trip to begin in 6 days! 

Thank you parents, faculty, friends, and students in advance for praying for us. We were encouraged today in our Send Off Chapel to consider the words of Jesus in the Great Commission.

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you."

posted by the Seniors at 2/26/2026 03:12:00 PM

Wednesday, March 19, 2025

Junior Missions 2025

Posted by:

Yesterday was our spectacular day at Zion National Park. We started our day really early, when we got there we made our lunches and we started our hike. We all in our big group went up this beautiful mountain and saw deer, other wildlife, and beautiful views. After our first hike, we split into groups of our choice and went to different areas of the park to hike with our friends. After hiking for a while most of us decided to sit in the lodge and rest, eat food, or go to the gift shop. As our time at Zion came to a close, we headed back to our cars and embarked on our hour drive back to the dream center. When we got back we had a delicious dinner at a mexican restaurant called "Blue Agave". As our last day in Utah/Arizona came to a close, we heard a powerful testimony from one of our hosts there, Olivia and a powerful message from Carlos. We then cleaned the bunkhouse for the next guests and we finally ended our day.

posted by the Juniors at 3/19/2025 09:04:00 AM

Monday, March 17, 2025

Local Missions 2025

Posted by:Katherine L.
Today, before we began our trip we did a devotion and sang a worship song. Then afterwards we left school and went to help take care of some kids. The first classroom I went into was a classroom labeled The Dolphin classroom. I got to listen to the teacher talk to the little kids about what the word marine means and what lives in the ocean. Then I went over to a different classroom and helped a teacher clean the tables after the kids had snack time. After that we all got to watch and participate in the Saint Patrick's day parade. Finally, after arriving back inside the classroom I read the kids 2 books and asked them questions about what I read. Then it was time to get back on the bus and head back to school for lunch. We enjoyed Chick-fil-A for lunch in Modular 1. Then We headed back out and went to the campus of an organization called Place Of Hope, where I got to help clean the fence and throw some stuff into the dumpster. I had so much fun today and got to get to know my classmates a little better in the process. I can't wait to see what tomorrow has in store for me.


posted by the Locals at 3/17/2025 09:48:00 PM