February 2, 2000
Seniors make mission out of trip
Traverse City Christian School seniors to visit Jamaican orphanages
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
Members of the class of 2000 at Traverse City Christian School have more than visions of beaches and bikinis in their eyes as they contemplate their upcoming senior trip together. Instead of focusing on their tans or the latest beach dance craze, they will spend a week in Jamaica on a mission trip to help needy children.
From March 10 through March 22, they will visit orphanages and schools in Montego Bay to present the gospel to students, many of whom are homeless, parentless and impoverished.
"I'm always shocked at how God's word touches people's lives," said Adam Miller, a senior going on the trip. "They have so little and so much joy and we have so much and so little joy. We take for granted clean water, food every day, clothes and school; these children don't."
Nineteen of the 20 class members will be going on the trip, accompanied by four parent chaperones and their class sponsor at the school, Jim Prince. Prince, who has traveled to Jamaica on a mission trip before, is taking the students to visit a private orphanage run by a couple he met on his last trip. The students will also visit a boy's home for homeless boys, a state-run orphanage and some schools. They will also use skits, face painting and balloon animals to conduct some street evangelizing.
From the different culture and abject poverty to the Third World standards of education and medicine, Prince knows his students will come home different people after the trip.
"Our kids will come away with a little bit more understanding of what's happening beyond Traverse City," said Prince, a math and art teacher at the school. "They will see that there's just such a need for a personal touch in the lives of these children - they are just so hungry for some love and attention."
Approximately half of the class has been on a mission trip before. Some who have already traveled to Central America, Poland or Mexico on mission trips agree that a trip like this is a life-changing experience.
"I think you are thinking about how to minister to them, but they end up teaching you lessons," said Karee Shev, a senior who has previously traveled to Mexico on a youth mission trip. "I learned in Mexico how much I take for granted, like my family."
The students have been hard at work since the beginning of the school year raising the $24,000 for the trip. They have held bake sales, fruit sales, pop can drives and a talent show. With just five weeks left before they leave, they have just $675 left to raise. Any money raised above their goal will be used to help the orphanages and children in Jamaica.
In addition to fundraising, class members have formed committees and meet at least weekly to organize their trip. They use this time to develop skits, plan their itinerary and rehearse skits and songs.
"I've led 11 youth mission trips and this has been the easiest one," said Tim Manzer, school chaplain at Traverse City Christian School. "These kids have worked so hard and have always been ahead of our goals. I'm very proud of them, it just shows what kind of kids they are. They are setting a precedent for future classes."
The senior class at Traverse City Christian School is planning a final fundraising auction on Friday, February 12, at 7 p.m. at the New Hope Community Church in Acme. Contact the school at 929-1747 for more information.