April 17, 2013

One Student’s Return to Costa Rica

When Becky H. was a student she traveled with Joshua Expeditions to Costa Rica. Nine years later she went back, but this time she was a teacher. Read Becky’s story of how God used Costa Rica to change her life.

“In 8th grade I went on a mission trip with my school to Costa Rica. I remember how much fun we had playing with the children at the church in La Carpio. My time with them created a desire in my heart to study Spanish. That trip opened my eyes to the possibility of mission work, and I told my dad that one day I would go back to Costa Rica. In May of last year I graduated from college with a major in Elementary Education and a minor in Spanish. In August I accepted a position as the Spanish teacher at my alma mater. This past winter I become one of the chaperones on the 8th grade mission trip to Costa Rica. Little did I know how God was planting the seed 9 years ago for what for He had in store for me! I look forward to many more trips to Costa Rica.”
 

Perhaps God will use your own JE trip to change the course of your life! Begin planning your life-changing adventure by visiting the Joshua Expeditions website. Check out a sample itinerary for Costa Rica Missions and request an expedition quote today.

April 10, 2013

Everyone has a story

submitted by Emily, Italy tour director with Joshua Expeditions

While in Rome, our group of seniors visited a refugee center and met Victor, one of many political refugees who had fled to Italy from Sierra Leone. After spending the majority of the day at the center, the group ‘ran into’ some of these same refugees while enjoying a bit of free time during lunch. Meeting them really helped our students connect the idea that everyone they see around the city has a story worth hearing and a life worth celebrating.
 

With the help of our partners, Joshua Expeditions has been able to donate much-needed assistance to the refugee center in Italy. The breakfasts offered by the center on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays can now be more nutritious than the usual “biscuit and tea.” On this particular trip with Emily, the group was able to help pack and organize the center’s food for the week, and they had the added blessing of getting to know the refugees they were serving.

Find out more about JE’s Italian Adventure: from Rome to Venice. Contact us today to begin planning your group’s next adventure!

April 9, 2013

JE Interview Series: Guatemala

This past January, JE traveler Kim B. led her church group to Guatemala for a life-changing mission trip with Joshua Expeditions. Kim graciously agreed to share her experiences with the Joshua Expeditions community in the first of a new interview series highlighting JE adventures. Watch for more interviews to come, and visit the JE website for more information about the Guatemala Missions Adventure.

What were some of the things you did on your mission trip?
We visited several daycare centers and did crafts with the children, sang songs, played games. We also helped build a wall around a women’s shelter, prepared lunch with them, and loved on the kids there.

What was the most surprising thing to you about being in Guatemala?
Seeing the river – the community’s only water supply – overflowing with garbage and actually witnessing a man dumping garbage into the river. Smelling how bad it was, seeing people live in these conditions that were shocking to us, yet “normal” to them.

How were you and your group changed by this trip?
Seeing the extreme poverty was very humbling. We are so spoiled as Americans! Personally, it has changed the way I look at money – how I spend it, how I want to spend it. I think of the money it took, and the effort to raise the money, for us to go to Guatemala. The people there will probably never have that kind of money. To me, it seemed like a much better investment than, say, taking a luxury vacation to a tropical island.
 
Several members of our group have already signed up for other mission trips. One is in Brazil right now and paid for his sister to go because he wanted her to experience it. Another was so compelled to learn Spanish that she, along with one of our leaders, are teaching and helping with the ESL ministry at our church. Yet another is sending money for the shelter in Guatemala, to help them with their food needs. Two members of our team also became members of the missions committee at our church because they became so passionate about missions while in Guatemala! Our group decided we need to look out for the orphans and widows in our own church family, as well, and recently held a James 1:27 luncheon for the widows/widowers of our church. Plans are also being made to go back to Guatemala to continue the work we have started. I could go on and on about the changed lives!

If you could travel to anywhere in the world for one week, where would it be?
I don’t usually like to go to the same place more than once, but I would definitely go back to Guatemala in a heartbeat! The people, the places, the experience was unbelievable. I would also like to visit Africa someday.
 

Thanks for your time, Kim!  We are so glad that the Guatamela trip was so meaningful and hope you get to go on many more missions trips in the years to come.

Check out JE’s Guatemala itinerary for more information about this incredible mission trip, and contact us today to plan your own Guatemala adventure!