A Mission trip changes a life

Samantha, Anna and Jelissa

We were so blessed to reveive this note. We had to share it with you. Thank you all for praying and supporting this work. To God goes all the glory!


To begin I'd like to start off by introducing myself. My name is Samantha, and I'm currently a full time student at Pikes Peak Community College. I'm interested in helping out others as much as possible, and I participate in many volunteer activities & groups. Among them, one of my favorite has to be Kairos.

On the first Kairos South session, Wade brought up a Mexico Missionary trip. I had always been interested, but never really took a step past that. I began to pursue Kairos, and felt really comfortable with my peers there and began talking to them regularly about my relationship with Christ. I felt a strong sense of belonging, and figured maybe that going on the mission trip would really help further my path with him. I decided to sign up for the trip and I was really, really excited about it.

Upon arrival I was taken by surprise by the type of community these people were living in. It made me feel much more fortunate to have the things I have and the place that I live in. In Mexico, I can honestly say that I've never done this type of labor before! It may not have seemed too hard for others, but I'm a pretty small girl, and the extent of my work goes to doing dishes. Here, we helped dig a sewer system, laid concrete, painted a huge windmill, and even broke through concrete. We worked through rain and cold weather, but towards the end of the trip it warmed up a lot. Although it was tough labor (for me), I can tell you I felt God's strength working in me. I knew he wanted me there, and I was even happier to be serving him. Actually, I was more than happy to be serving him; I was joyful! I was excited! I was every positive emotion you could imagine.

Prayer time for me was honestly a highlight for my trip. I could just feel my relationship with Christ strengthening by the moment and a lot of things came into place. On this trip I met people who I can talk openly about anything; I've created friendships, strengthened them, and I've actually gotten an idea of what I want to do with my life. God has set out a wonderful path for me, and even though I have no idea where he is leading me, I know he has something special in store. Influenced by this trip, I’ve declared a major, actually two majors. I'm double majoring in Early Education and Spanish, and have strong intentions of teaching underprivileged kids and orphans somewhere in South America or even Mexico.

I am so fortunate to have gone on this trip. I have grown in ways I never thought I could, and I am carrying this knowledge and strength with me constantly. I am reminded weekly, daily, hourly of the ways this trip has benefited the religion and path I want to pursue, and my relationship with God is growing in ways that I would've never imagined. This trip was something I will never, ever forget.

Thoughts from Lew

A Parent’s Perspective on Kairos
This month I had the privilege to go on the Kairos Mexico Mission Trip (Dec. 31 – Jan. 5) as an adult volunteer. My purpose for the trip varied. First, I have a passion for missions. As a former missionary to Central America, I thrive on any opportunity to reach out to others through a cross-cultural setting. Second, the long distance trip from Colorado to Mexico in a van required multiple drivers, of which I was one. Third, having someone on the trip that spoke Spanish fluently was a plus just in case we came across anyone who happened to not speak English. There’s something about sharing the gospel in Spanish that really motivates me. I was glad to be of service in all the above areas.

However, there was another reason this trip was important to me. You see, I’m a parent. No, not just any parent. I’m a parent of a college age student. My daughter, Cassidy, is actively involved in the ministry of Kairos, of which I am very grateful. As parents of three children, my wife and I are very interested in how our children are connected with college and youth groups that provide encouragement, accountability in their Christian walk, lots of unconditional love, and a fun environment. Kairos encompasses all of that and more! Spending a week in a van and in a dorm room, sweating, eating, laughing, and having fun together gave me some great insights into the ministry of Kairos.

Wade, Dara, and the student leadership of Kairos provide a non-threatening, open environment for college students who desire to connect with a group of students who are on an adventure of a lifetime as they journey in their walk of faith. Kairos is for all college students, no matter where they are on their journey of faith. It’s even for those who haven’t begun this journey of faith and are asking the questions about who God is and what this relationship with Him is all about.

The Mexico trip provided opportunities to ask and try to answer some of the tough questions in life that college students struggle with. We also had plenty of opportunities to work together, gaining strength from God and building on each other’s gifts and abilities. I was impressed with the cooperation and consideration of the group and amazed that no one complained throughout the trip. Believe me, as a former youth minister of 20 years, I’ve heard my share of complaints over the years. Again, I think the spirit of the group is a testament to the attitude conveyed by the leadership of Kairos.

It’s no secret that prayer and trust in God drives this ministry. Nothing was taken for granted during this trip. From travel conditions to border crossings, from forgotten identification to the unknown, from personal struggles to passionate service, this group was committed to leave everything in the hands of God. In the end, it all worked out according to God’s incredible will.

As a parent, I’m very thankful for Kairos. I’m assured that my daughter and many other students are going to be loved and cared for, challenged and encouraged, stretched in their thinking and accepted as God accepts them. I’m assured that when my daughter leaves our driveway to go to a Karios activity or event she will be exactly where God wants her to be and where she wants to be.

“Muchisima gracias!” Kairos for your ministry to students! This parent, along with his wife, believe that God is doing great things through you! From my perspective as a parent, “All is good with Kairos!”

Lew Stancer