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As you might have heard 24 students, 6 adults,and Father Jay recently traveled as missionaries to Costa Rica. We traveled with an organization called Soles4Souls, which helps provide footwear and jobs to communities in need. Costa Rica is a country in Central America that suffers from economic poverty. Before we left for Costa Rica we expected to help and give to the Costa Rican community, however we received way more than we could have ever imagined sharing. There are no words that could ever express the love, joy, and contentment I have gained through this mind blowing experience. 

I couldn’t have been more blessed to take part in this year’s mission trip to Costa Rica. My eyes were opened to a whole new side of the world as I learned a lot. I built relationships, met the most beautiful people, and grew much closer to the Lord. I received more love than I could’ve ever given to the people who I encountered. I couldn’t help but to smile during each distribution seeing the joy in these kids faces.

I was blessed with the opportunity to spread joy and love through Costa Rica. I have always had a big heart for people especially kids. This mission trip has made me realize that my purpose is to serve. The soles for souls foundation has really opened my eyes to the poverty around the world. I have now understood what the true meaning of taking things for granted. A single beach ball would give the kids the biggest smile. 

As I settle back into my daily routine after returning from Costa Rica, I have been bombarded with the same question: “How was your trip?” My natural answer is “good," yet, good is not an accurate representation of one of the best weeks of my life. Good seems like the easy response to give after many long days with smiling faces, tiny toes, lots of tears, and lifelong memories. 

What do you think of when you hear the name ‘Costa Rica?' For many people, I think the answer would involve the country’s beautiful beaches, towering volcanoes, peculiar spider monkeys, or dense rainforest—all of which are valid answers. Prior to this trip, I would have responded with these same exact answers.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting me and the rest of the missionaries in our travels to Costa Rica. Through Soles4Souls, we served shoes, light, hope, and so much more to impoverished areas while receiving back ten-fold in smiles, laughs, and stories. After witnessing the poverty and detriment of the people at the shoe distributions, from preschoolers to elderly, I feel I have gained a brand new perspective on life in the U.S. I came back from this trip humbled, grateful, aware, educated, and, most importantly, blessed to have been able to experience such a fulfilling trip.

My name is Ana Donaldson, and I was one of the missionaries that got the opportunity to go on the 2019 mission trip to Costa Rica.  Going into the trip, I was extremely nervous. I had never done anything like this, or even had left the country. My decision to apply for the trip was inspired by my brother, who had gone on the Dominican Republic trip two years ago, and also many friends who had gone on the Honduras trip last year.  They all came back with amazing stories and encouraged me to apply for this year.

When people tell you what to expect from a mission trip, they probably tell you about serving God, sharing your faith, making a difference, and changing lives.  What they might not tell you is how greatly your own life will be impacted by this trip. The Costa Rica mission trip was truly a life-changing experience and I will never forget the people we met, the stories we heard, the memories we made, or the love we felt.

My name is Kaitlyn Newport, and I am a rising senior at Pine-Richland High School. Just recently, I was given the amazing opportunity to travel to Costa Rica with Soles4Souls. Yet again, I was able to travel, to love, and to be loved. Two years ago, I traveled to the Dominican Republic with the Soles4Souls team. I will never forget how that trip has changed my life, and I will never forget how it made me feel so incredibly loved.

I truly cannot put into words my gratitude for the past two years and the opportunities this church has provided me with. From the friends I’ve met through Outreach Camp, Service team, shoe drives and many more to the people I’ve served all around the world, and all the lessons I’ve learned,  words are really not enough to explain everything I’ve been blessed with all because of this Parish.

I cannot even begin to express how blessed I am to have been able to go on a second international mission trip with Soles4Souls. I never would have been able to without the support and generosity of the parishioners at this church. Without everyone that attended Fest or donated shoes, none of us would have had the opportunity to do God’s work and serve others in Costa Rica.

I was going to write a letter, then I thought a poem would be more meaningful...

I have thanked and continue to thank God for the amazing opportunity to go on the Soles4Souls mission trip to Costa Rica.  All good things come from God, and this trip was full of so much goodness!

I just want to say thank you for the opportunity of a lifetime in letting me come with you to the city of Atenas, Costa Rica and help the city’s youth and elderly. I never thought a group like this would do what we did, but I was wrong.

This summer, I was blessed to be one of the missionaries chosen to go on the SSJP mission trip to Costa Rica with Soles4Souls. Personally, the trip was extremely impactful, inspiring, & eye-opening because we got to experience God’s love firsthand. We met so many amazing, unforgettable people who have left deep imprints on my heart. 

I want to thank you for this trip. This trip changed my life in so many ways that I never would’ve expected. Through all the hard work from everyone prior to the trip, it brought all of the missionaries together. We took many people that did not know eachother that well and turned them into a second family. To me, that is very special.

I did not really know what to expect when I volunteered to go to the Costa Rica mission trip. Beforehand, I knew this trip was very appealing to me because I want to make the world a better place, I like to meet new people, and I like to travel. I did not want to carry a lot of preconceptions on the trip but rather keep an open mind to the experiences. Another attractive element was the idea that I could share the experience with my son.

After working behind the scenes throughout the week sorting donations, cleaning camps, completing landscaping and painting projects, the highlight of my week was my team’s final hour of service when we served the men their meal at 5pm on Thursday. We felt a bit apprehensive not knowing what to expect.

The Urban Mission Trip this year really had an impact on the way that I view my life. Hearing the stories of the homeless community members about how they became homeless was truly eye opening. Most of the stories I heard had a common cause. They all became homeless because of drug use and addiction. I have always known the dangers of drugs, but seeing the effects of them was astonishing. 

I am writing to express my sincere appreciation for the opportunity to participate in the Urban Mission Trip.  The experience was absolutely transformative. I was unsure what to expect when joining the mission and certainly had some preconceptions.  Sadly, much of my beliefs about the homeless are a result of our social bias towards them and the way they are portrayed in the media. I am thrilled to say that my perspective was positively and permanently changed.