Alaska Mission Trip team reflects on an unforgettable experience
On Missions Emphasis Day, sandwiched between speakers focused on local and global missions, our high school mission trip team shared about their recent experience in Delta Junction, Alaska. From March 7-16, twenty-eight high school students and six chaperones, working with Pastors Caleb and Shayna Bialik of Summit Church, served in various capacities in a small town outside of Fairbanks. While the majority of their time was spent leading a weeklong Vacation Bible School (VBS), the team also led Sunday worship for two local churches and partnered with YoungLives to prepare meals and write cards for teen moms & dads.
Tytus Ahn '26, Paige Hamada '25, and Skye Fowler '24 spoke on behalf of the team, sharing highlights and takeaways from this opportunity to serve in the 49th state. All three mentioned relationship building as an impactful part of the trip. VBS provided ample time for students to connect with the fifty children who participated in the all-day activities. Students were stretched in their faith as they learned to share the gospel message and answer questions about God. Tearful goodbyes, hugs, and words of gratitude marked the last day of VBS, evidence of the meaningful experience for both our students and the children they interacted with. Skye reflected in awe of the team being "able to love people so much and so deeply," realizing the depth of God's love for us, which overflows to share with others through words and actions.
Despite the logistical and personal challenges the team faced during the trip, they saw God work through every situation. They braved freezing temperatures to enjoy the unique sights that Alaska has to offer, from a visit to the Santa Claus House to a glacier hike and tour of an ice museum. Special thanks to chaperone Miss Villanueva for putting together the highlight video below. Watch to the end to see how supporting the Alaska Mission Trip team has made a tangible difference to the people of Delta Junction!
LA Dream Center experience makes a profound impact on Mission Trip team
Amid the backdrop of the coronavirus and the reality that their two-week trip would be cut short, this remarkable team of students chose to embrace every moment of their life-changing experience at the LA Dream Center. Standing as a beacon of light in the middle of some of the most impoverished neighborhoods of Los Angeles, the Dream Center provides training, leadership development, and outreach assignments for short-term mission trip teams, as they assist in the Center's mission "to connect broken people to a community of support."
Trip chaperone Mrs. Fowler witnessed the group of two freshmen and seven sophomores take their faith "to another level." She watched as students approached strangers in Skid Row, a neighborhood in downtown Los Angeles notoriously associated with its homeless population. Guided by a Dream Center outreach leader and inspired by daily devotions and testimony, students allowed themselves to be used by God to speak into the lives of the individuals they met, praying for them with boldness and compassion. When assigned to laborious tasks of cleaning or sorting pounds of groceries, the team worked hard and served eagerly, going above and beyond what was asked.
As sophomore Zachary Kao reflected, "the Dream Center... changes [people]." When distributing hotdogs and water to a homeless man on Skid Row, freshman Micah Branner was moved by the man's gratitude while also convicted of his own fear and preconceived notions. In response to their evangelism training, students practiced sharing their stories, even taking the bold step to reach out to family and friends in obedience to God's call.
The Dream Center experience not only made an indelible personal impact, but the group formed a special bond as they drew close to God together. They are challenged to continue serving in their own homes and communities, shining a much needed light in this difficult and uncertain season.