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Mondays with Mike: Broadening Horizons and Changing Lives

This week on “Mondays with Mike,” we explore the role of travel in our program, why we do it, and the expectations you can have as your kids come back from some life-shaping experiences.

Click above to hear Mike’s 10-minute message on topics relevant for you and your family.

Below is a summary of the podcast above:

At Portsmouth Christian Academy, we are dedicated to nurturing Christ-centered graduates who are prepared to positively impact the world. Our ongoing travel and mission trips are a fundamental part of this endeavor, crafted to enhance our students’ spiritual, cultural, and personal development.

This spring, our students are engaging in several enriching experiences:

  • The 8th grade class is exploring historical and cultural sites in Washington, D.C.
  • A group of 7th graders is partaking in a mission and adventure trip in Costa Rica.
  • Thirty Upper School students are on a mission trip in Puerto Rico.
Four people are gardening in a lush, green outdoor area. Two are cleaning the ground, one is using a garden tool, and one is bending over to work on a plant. Everyone wears casual clothing and hats.
Upper School Students serving in the fields of a Puerto Rican agrarian community (Spring 2023)
Three people are gathered closely together, wearing blue shirts with text in Spanish that reads "AQUÍ PARA SERVIR." They appear to be engaged in an activity or conversation.
Upper School students serving in Puerto Rico (Spring 2023)

These initiatives are rooted in three key objectives:

  1. Worldview Expansion: We aim for our students to experience God’s world in new ways, broadening their understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures and communities.
  2. Empathy Development: By interacting with people from different backgrounds, our students learn to see others with new eyes, fostering empathy and deeper interpersonal connections.
  3. Leadership and Service: These trips encourage students to take active roles as ambassadors for Christ and our school, bridging gaps and serving others joyfully.

As your children participate in these transformative journeys, we maintain three core expectations:

  1. Personal Growth: These experiences are designed to stretch participants, promoting significant personal and spiritual growth.
  2. Spiritual Enrichment: Students often return invigorated, filled with new insights and a renewed passion for service.
  3. Lasting Impact: The profound experiences of these trips continue to influence students, shaping their perspectives and actions well beyond their time at PCA.
Three people are gathered closely together, wearing blue shirts with text in Spanish that reads "AQUÍ PARA SERVIR." They appear to be engaged in an activity or conversation.
Upper School students praying with the homeless and hungry in Puerto Rico (Spring 2023)

Please continue to pray for our students’ safety and growth as they embark on these significant adventures. Your support is invaluable as we continue to guide them towards realizing their God-given potential.

God bless and thank you for your partnership in this vital part of our educational mission.