It's not every day 54 juniors and seniors from Puget Sound Adventist Academy in Kirkland, Wash., are up and going at 4 a.m., especially during Thanksgiving break. Despite the hour all were excited because they would arrive at their destination, Santa Elena, Belize, for a 12-day mission trip.
On Friday the group began work on the classrooms. Even with disagreeable weather, everyone worked hard to finish the foundation before the weekend.
On Sabbath they visited a nearby church and conducted the service. One student gave the sermon while another student translated it into Spanish.
Students spent the following week experiencing many aspects of the building process including mixing cement and laying block as they worked on constructing Bullet Tree Adventist School.
In the afternoon, students put on the Vacation Bible School for the local children. It was held at the nearby church and featured fun activities including puppet shows, games, crafts and Bible skits. By the end of the week, more than 200 children attended VBS. Many of the PSAA students said spending time with the children was the highlight of the trip.
Each evening, a group of students hosted the Faith FM radio station, which reached three countries, to discuss life choices.
At the end of the trip, the PSAA mission group felt a sense of accomplishment as they saw the finished school building, the relationships they made and the impact they had on the friendly community.
Vacation Bible School and spending time with the children of Belize are mission trip highlights for PSAA juniors and seniors.
Fifty-four juniors and seniors from Puget Sound Adventist Academy in Kirkland, Wash., participate in a mission trip to Belize.
Puget Sound Adventist Academy juniors and seniors build classrooms for Bullet Tree Adventist School in Belize. (German Mendoza)
Puget Sound Adventist Academy juniors and seniors spend 12 days in Belize building classrooms, leading Vacation Bible School and hosting a radio show. (German Mendoza)
