Spring Term Blog

Saturday, Jan 3rd - Summer Roberts (10th grade)

Today started bright and early with a 5 a.m. meet-up at the school. Once everyone arrived, we loaded the buses and headed to the airport. We ran into a few small check-in issues and had to check our luggage, which took a little while, but we had plenty of time. The plane ride was beautiful, with amazing views, and we arrived safely.

After clearing customs, we loaded the bus and went to a really cool mall called Oxíeno for lunch. The view of the city was incredible—a perfect reminder of how God shows His love through His creation. It was a chance to slow down, enjoy the scenery, and take it all in.

Back at the hotel, we got ready for dinner at a restaurant just across the street. The food was amazing, and it was the perfect way to end the day before our evening devotional. Luke and JV led us in a reflection on Deuteronomy 31:6, reminding us that even when we face uncomfortable situations, pushing through allows us to see God’s providence in action.

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Sunday, Jan 4th - Audrey Jane Leftwich (12th grade)

Today was an incredibly fun day! We got to see so many amazing places and experience the local culture. Our morning began at a community church service, which was in Spanish. Our Spanish students did their best to translate, and the message focused on the four characteristics of Stephen that reflected Christ: 1) Fullness, 2) Preaching, 3) Forgiveness, and 4) Suffering. The church community was so welcoming, and many of the ladies greeted us with warm hugs. It was amazing to see that even though the worship was in Spanish, we were all worshiping the same God.

Lunch was at a local restaurant with the church pastor and his family—such a special time to connect and share a meal. Afterward, we visited a beautiful coffee plantation. The view of the coffee plants and surrounding mountains was breathtaking—pictures could never do it justice! Some students even got coffee from the plantation’s shop, soaking in the flavors and atmosphere of the area.

Next, we visited an ox cart factory in Sarchi, Costa Rica’s famous artisan town. The factory has been making ox carts for over 100 years, and they’ve been a vital part of the local economy. Each cart is made with a special painting style unique to Costa Rica, and the factory only produces three carts a month—36 a year. Every cart, even those used on plantations, has the intricate painted design. Seeing the detail and care in each cart reminded us of how God made each of us with intentionality and love.

We ended the day with dinner and devotions back at the hotel. It was a full day of bonding, exploring, and experiencing the beauty of God’s creation together as a team.

 

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Monday, Jan 5th- Kamryn Black & Juliana Anderson (10th grade)

This morning, we woke up for breakfast and enjoyed our daily devotions while taking in the beautiful scenery around us. Soon after, we headed to the city of Pavas to begin our building journey. We split into two groups to work on two separate houses, doing a mix of construction and painting the frames. Our first family chose a teal and light blue color scheme, while the second wanted pink and purple—bright, lively colors that perfectly reflect the spirit of Costa Rica.

During the building process, we got to talk with and hang out with many of the local kids. They were eager to help in any way they could, even carrying heavy materials alongside us! The kids were full of energy and fun, and the local construction workers were incredibly helpful as well. Many of the workers had experienced having houses built for themselves, so it was inspiring to see them continuing to serve their community.

Lunch was prepared by the women of the local church—a delicious traditional meal of chicken, rice, and plantains.

Throughout the day, we were reminded of how blessed we are to live in the United States with safety and comfort. Yet, despite more challenging circumstances, this community reflected so much joy and love for the Lord. The kids were excited to help and had a blast painting alongside us, which made bonding with them a highlight of the day.

We ended the day with dinner and devotions, reflecting on humility and how we can show God’s love to those around us. It was an incredible start to our building journey, and we can’t wait to see how much we’ll accomplish in the days ahead!

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Tuesday, Jan 6th - JV DaCosta (11th grade)

We woke up early this morning around 7:30, making sure we had enough time for breakfast—thankfully, we did. As we loaded the bus, we were still trying to wake ourselves up and wondering what the workers had accomplished while we were gone. When we arrived at the site, most of the kids who lived there ran toward us, excited to see us again. Unfortunately, with little to no Spanish-speaking ability, I wasn’t able to get to know them very well, but many of our teammates could—and the kids were clearly so happy.

We started the day by finishing one of the inner walls, then the roof, and then the second wall. Thankfully, we had carried all the sheetrock the day before, so that wasn’t an issue—especially since the hill was quite the workout. Next, we put up all the sheetrock, which took some time because the house was pretty crowded. After that, we began working on the trim, which was harder than expected, especially the pieces closer to the ceiling. After many water breaks, it was finally time for lunch.

Lunch was especially cool because we walked to the church to get it, which helped me better see the surrounding area and the community around the houses. Through this experience, I really realized how blessed we are in how and where we were raised. When we returned to the site, full stomachs helped us pick up the pace, and before we knew it, we were finished for the day.

After the build, we went to the store to buy furniture and other items for the house. It was an interesting trip, especially with our tight budget and 30-minute deadline. It was also fun having to check every aisle since none of us could read the signs—but we managed to pull through. We ended the day with devotions that included praise and worship and a message centered on Romans 10:14, reminding us how important it is to share our faith with those who don’t know Jesus.

It was an amazing day filled with unexpected moments, but in the end, everything came together in a really beautiful way.

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Wednesday, Jan 7th - Zoe Helton (10th grade)

Today was the day we finished working on the houses. We added the final touches and made sure everything was truly “move-in ready” for the families. We started the day bright and early to allow time for breakfast, reflection on the day the Lord has made, and preparation of our hearts for the work ahead.

When we arrived at the homes, we touched up paint on the trim and walls, built and assembled furniture, and spent time with the children. They were incredibly kind and welcoming, and we enjoyed getting to know their silly sides and learning interesting things about them. We shared a meal at the local church and were blessed by food prepared by the local ladies who cook for the community.

When we returned to the houses, we made great progress and focused on completing last-minute details. While work continued, a group of students, teachers, and family members went grocery shopping to help give the families a strong and supportive start in their new homes.

We concluded the day with a key ceremony, sharing Bible verses and words of encouragement as we blessed the families and officially handed over their new houses. There were hugs and heartfelt goodbyes, knowing that while parting was difficult, the impact was meaningful and truly life-changing.

We ended the night with a fun dinner and a devotion, sharing where we saw God at work throughout the day. A major theme that emerged was the importance of building community and recognizing the many blessings the Lord has given us on this trip. It was truly an amazing and impactful day.

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Thursday, January 8 — Cassie Carr (Team Leader)

What a week! After working hard with incredible attitudes, our teams completed two houses, and we were ready for a well-earned day of rest and celebration. To make the most of our final full day, we actually woke up earlier than on workdays and loaded the bus at 7:00 a.m.

Following a beautiful catamaran ride filled with stunning scenery, we arrived at a private beach area where we spent the afternoon relaxing and enjoying fellowship. Lunch was cooked over an open flame and was absolutely delicious—chicken, mashed yucca (similar to creamy mashed potatoes), and a fresh salad. We have truly eaten well during our time in Costa Rica!

We shared the day with another Christian school from Texas, and it was encouraging to interact with students and teachers who serve the same God. Their staff was amazed to learn that our entire high school spends this week “walking our talk” and serving communities across the globe.

Overall, we could not have asked for a better team. The encouragement, unity, and constant “we can do this” attitude made this one of the best trips imaginable. We spoke often about the importance of meeting physical needs in order to plant spiritual seeds, and we ask that you would continue praying for the Mojica family and the Lopez family.

Tonight’s devotion, led by Summer and Juliana, reminded us to use our freedom to serve others and lift them up. It was a powerful encouragement, and our hope is that we carry this message back to NCCS and share it with the rest of our school community.

We are tired—but it’s the best kind of tired. See y’all soon!

Cassie Carr, Team Leader
Ben Carr
Melanie Fournoy
Matt Jones