February 2015, Vol.2 Issu.6
For This Day Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
If you ever wondered if student missions were of value? Read Kayla Costigan’s experience! CDA supports the church’s vision to send our students, parents and teachers on missions. As primarily an educational entity, we don’t offer mission trips as part of our curriculum but rather we ask our students to check into what their churches are offering and participate fully and for the glory of God. The Importance of Student Missions There are many important things I believe students should experience before the relentless life of adulthood sweeps away much of their precious time, energy, and enthusiasm- including building lasting relationships, visiting Disneyland, working a job, volunteering at an organization, and, of course, enduring fetal pig dissections. However, I contend that the one experience that should be prioritized above all others is participating in a mission trip. Student missions allow students to travel the world, be exposed to other cultures, and learn other languages, but also allow students to defy the boundaries of their comfort zones, to witness the realities outside of their perfect little bubbles, and to testify to others how God worked in and through them during their trips. This summer I was blessed beyond compare to travel to both Kenya and Brazil on two separate, back-to-back mission trips. These trips took me out of my
comfort zone and tossed me into sink or swim situations, from subbing in an ECD classroom to working as a totally unqualified dental assistant to sharing my testimony on the spot one afternoon. They opened my blind eyes to the reality of conditions outside of my cozy life in Flower Mound, Texas. School conditions in both countries astounded me. The dust floors in Kenya and the one room school houses in Brazil made me realize how privileged I am at my school, despite the small size and limited resources. And, most importantly, these trips sparked something inside of me-an excited desire to share with my family and friends at home the incredible memories I made, to cure their blindness as my blindness had partially been cured during my three weeks outside of the US, and to proclaim my God’s greatness. I am still itching to pour my heart out to anyone who will listen, telling them the wonderful stories about the bonfires I had with the precious children at Naomi’s Village and the utter defeat I suffered playing soccer with the villagers in Brazil. My mission trips were- by far- the highlight of my summer and though I have so much to share, I simply cannot describe the overwhelmingly incredible experiences I had. Therefore I can only encourage other students to be bold, take that step outside of their comfort zones, and go on a mission trip. While there are many things I think students should do before graduating, I am confident that student missions are the most important for a student to experience. Missions give young people a firm foundation for their futures by putting them into, sometimes uncomfortable, situations to cope, opening their eyes to conditions outside their protected bubbles, and offering opportunities to begin potentially life-changing conversations with others.
Parent Fellowship Opportunities Parent to Parent Grammar School M/W contact - Jacque Younger Grammar School T/Th contact - Kimberley Lyons Logic & High School M/W contact: Kristin Downey Logic & High School T/Th contact: Donna Rector Coram Deo Cafe Make plans to attend our Coram Deo Cafe Meeting. Visit CDA Connect for more information. Moms in Prayer Moms in Prayer meets twice each week! M/W Contact: Leah Clark T/T Contact:Tessa Nownes