What began as a spring break mission trip turned into a transformative experience for a small group of Methodist University students and alumni, who spent nine days in Costa Rica not just serving- but connecting.
What began as a spring break mission trip turned into a transformative experience for a small group of Methodist University students and alumni, who spent nine days in Costa Rica not just serving- but connecting.
Led by the Rev. Kelli Taylor, D. Min., Methodist University’s chaplain and vice president for Mission Integration & Well-Being and Ruth Carr, director of MU’s Religious & Spiritual Life Department, the trip was part of the University’s long-standing partnership with Costa Rica Mission Projects, Acts 1:8 Ministry Center, and the United Methodist Volunteers in Mission, a relationship spanning over a decade. Students spent the week continuing construction on a Sunday school building they had helped begin three years prior.
“This wasn’t just a one-time project,” Taylor said. “We laid the foundation in 2022. Now, we’re building alongside the same people again. That’s our philosophy- this isn’t a handout or a hand up. It’s hand in hand.”
With the University’s commitment to these long-term partnerships including projects in Kentucky and Haiti, alumni continue to engage even after graduation. For returning missionaries, it was an emotional full-circle moment.
“One of our alumni got to see a tree he planted two years ago,” Taylor said. “It’s a symbol of the relationships we’ve nurtured- not just the physical work.”
Carr described the welcome as “open-armed,” with the church even offering real-time English translation during worship. “It’s little things like that,” she said. “They know who we are. They want us there.”
The mission was also a series of firsts for many: first time on a plane, first international trip, first time navigating cultural immersion. Carr recalled one student’s emotional reaction upon seeing the “Welcome to the United States” sign at the airport on their return. “It was more than just travel –it was transformational,” she said.
The group worshiped with the local church, shared meals with families, and even attended a community fair – an unexpected highlight that challenged assumptions and celebrated cultural connection. Carr said moments like that are crucial for students learning to respect and appreciate differences without fear.
While the sense of appreciation for cultural differences was there throughout the duration of the trip, there were opportunities to appreciate similarities, as well. One of the special moments came when the group brought Taylor Swift bracelet beads as a birthday gift for Isabella, the 10-year-old daughter of the local mission leaders. The gesture sparked an instant bond.
“She had already made me a bracelet by the next day,” Taylor said. “It reminded us that, across cultures, kids are still kids – and connection doesn’t need a translator.”
Mission trips are typically offered twice a year–domestic in the fall and international in the spring—and are open to all students, regardless of background. The core of the missions is about service, teamwork, and growth and students interested in joining future trips should be on the lookout for interest meetings each fall semester, or learn more at methodist.edu/religious-life/