Costa Rica Mission Trip Focuses on Children’s Needs

KILLEEN, TEX. – Killeen Adventist Junior Academy (KAJA) students, staff and parents connected with children from foster centers, local communities and indigenous villages during their mission trip to Costa Rica. 

A central focus of the mission was working with children from diverse communities, including an orphanage, an indigenous school and two churches. 

Throughout the trip, students engaged in a variety of service projects, including painting picnic tables and playground equipment at a local community park; stuffing care packages with food and clothing; participating in a three-congregation celebration of El Día de Hermandad (Brotherhood Day); presenting special music in sign language; and leading children in workshops that involved crafts, music and games—all with the purpose of teaching children how to care for themselves and, ultimately, about God’s love. 

Smiles, laughter and prayer became the shared language of connection as students witnessed the daily challenges many Costa Rican families face. They also had the opportunity to enjoy Costa Rica’s black-sand beaches and see various animals that live in the Costa Rican jungles. 

Students left Costa Rica with a renewed sense of gratitude, a clearer understanding of global needs and a strengthened desire to serve others as Jesus did. One student shared, “I returned home with memories that will stay with me forever. This experience gave me something rare: a heart for service. It helped shape my character, filled me with greater love and kindness and ignited a passion to continue helping communities in need.”

To learn more about Killeen Adventist Junior Academy, visit MyKaja.org.

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By Lizzette Garcia

Principal

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