Mondays with Mike: Costa Rica – Student Reflections
Our connections through this medium has now crossed over 1000 downloads in just a few months–thanks for your engagement, for your feedback, and your encouragement.
As we close out the year, we are changing things up in two ways:
- We are posting our Podcast on Spotify; that link is now active and you can find it at PCA Podcasts on Spotify.
- We are shifting from my 10-minute monologue on key topics to doing a series of interviews with our students! These will be on topics that are close to them, and you will hear their voices each week (with an occasional bonus); these will be about 20-30 minutes long, so that you can hear the extra voices (typically 3-5 different students).
My goal is to highlight their perspectives and experiences in ways the help our community sense and see more deeply the growth that is happening among your children and grandchildren. Feedback always welcome!
We start this week with the 7th grade trip to Costa Rica. Just a few weeks ago 19 of our students went on a cultural missions trip–the first such trip of distance and type for many. Last year another group went. I interviewed members of both classes and asked them to reflect on their experiences.
Click above to hear the testimony of four of our students who recently took the trip to Costa Rica!
Below is a summary of the podcast above:
Student Reflections from Costa Rica
I am excited to share with you a summary of a recent podcast episode where I had the pleasure of speaking with four of our students who participated in a cultural missions trip to Costa Rica. These students, from the classes of 2028 and 2029, shared their transformative experiences during their seventh-grade year, providing us with invaluable insights into the impact of this journey on their personal and spiritual growth.
Molly, Tilly, Fletcher, and James recounted their activities, including visiting an orphanage and a school where they engaged in both fun and service-oriented activities.
Molly highlighted a poignant moment at the orphanage, where interacting with the children, including playing and painting nails, was both joyful and emotional. This visit not only brought smiles to the children’s faces but also left our students with a deep sense of connection and compassion.
Fletcher shared his motivations for joining the trip, which included a desire to impact other places and people positively. His fundraising efforts through car washes and yard work exemplify the dedication and hard work that prepared him for the trip. He found the experience exceeding his expectations, especially the visits to the orphanage and participating in adventurous activities like ziplining and whitewater rafting.
Tilly spoke about the personal growth she experienced, particularly in becoming more selfless and deepening her relationship with God. The nightly devotions were a time for reflection and spiritual deepening, which she found profoundly meaningful.
James discussed stepping out of his comfort zone, which was a significant theme for many of our students. Activities that pushed their boundaries, like whitewater rafting, not only brought fun and excitement but also a sense of achievement and camaraderie among the group.
The absence of digital devices during the trip encouraged our students to engage more fully with each other and their surroundings, enhancing their overall experience and group cohesion. This digital detox was a crucial element that allowed them to be truly present and absorb the richness of their experiences without distractions.
In conclusion, the Costa Rica trip was an invaluable opportunity for our students to serve, learn, and grow. They returned with not only unforgettable memories but also life lessons that they will carry with them, individually and as classmates, long into the future. These experiences underscore the profound impact that practical, real-world learning experiences can have on our students, shaping them into compassionate, thoughtful, and engaged individuals.
