March 11, 2026
Senior Mission Trip to Costa Rica 2026 – Daily Updates
The Prince Avenue senior class will travel March 8th – 13th to San José, Costa Rica in partnership with Joshua Expedition. While there, the students and chaperones will build three houses in Pavas, provide furnishings for each house, build relationships with families and children, and share the gospel. Please pray for these students and chaperones and for the people of Costa Rica.
DAY 1 – SUNDAY, MARCH 8TH
Arrival in San José, Costa Rica
Our team had a smooth and exciting travel day as we made our way to San José, Costa Rica. Energy was high from the start, and the long travel hours quickly turned into meaningful moments of laughter and conversation. After landing, we enjoyed a relaxed lunch at the local mall food court, which gave students time to stretch their legs, try some local flavors, and continue building friendships.
Once we arrived at the hotel and got checked in, the group settled in well and continued bonding throughout the evening. Students showed great attitudes despite the long day of travel, and many meaningful conversations naturally centered on why we are here and what we hope God will do this week. The unity of the class is already evident, and there is a growing sense of anticipation for the house building and gospel opportunities ahead.
Pray for students to rest well tonight and for the opportunities they will have tomorrow.
Day 2 – MONDAY, MARCH 9TH
Meeting Our Families & Starting Construction
Monday was a powerful and humbling day as we met the families we will serve this week. Students approached these first interactions with kindness, respect, and genuine joy, immediately forming connections despite language barriers. It was beautiful to watch smiles, handshakes, and laughter communicate in ways that words sometimes cannot. These moments helped our group better understand the real purpose behind our work.
We also began construction on the homes, and the teamwork was outstanding. Students encouraged one another, stepped up to new challenges, and worked with impressive determination. The fact that they painted so much and got most of the walls up on the houses is truly impressive. The class is growing closer not only through shared work but through a shared mission, and it’s clear that God is already using this experience to shape hearts.
Please pray that our students will recover well after a long day of work and will be refreshed and readyto make great progress on our houses on Tuesday.
Day 3 – TUESDAY, MARCH 10TH|
Shopping & Building Continues
This morning, our team had the meaningful opportunity to shop for our partner families at Walmart. Students were thoughtful and intentional as they selected household items, carefully considering what would best serve each family. This experience helped everyone better understand the practical side of loving and serving others, and it sparked great conversations about generosity and stewardship.
Another group of students spent the day at our build sites and continued making strong progress on the homes. The unity within the group continues to deepen as students work side by side, celebrate small wins, and support one another through the harder tasks. Several encouraging gospel conversations took place today, and students are showing growing confidence in sharing both their faith and their compassion through action.
We closed the day with a visit to a traditional ox cart factory, where students enjoyed learning about an important piece of Costa Rican culture. This was a fun cultural experience for the entire group and gave the students a bit of a break from their work.
Please pray for us to finish the houses tomorrow and that the gospel would be clearly shared with each family.
Day 4 – WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11TH
House Presentations & Cultural Experience
Today was an unforgettable milestone as we completed the homes and officially presented them to the families. There were many emotional moments as keys were handed over, prayers were shared, and the hope of the gospel was clearly communicated. Students represented Christ beautifully through their words, attitudes, and servant hearts. Watching the families’ gratitude alongside our students’ joy was a powerful reminder of why this trip matters.
The shared experiences of this week—both the hard work and the joyful moments—are clearly forming lasting bonds within the class.
Please pray for a great night’s rest after three hard days and for a fun day tomorrow!
Day 5 – THURSDAY, MARCH 12TH
Rainforest Adventure & Reflection
Our final full day was filled with excitement as students went ziplining through the beautiful Costa Rican rainforest. The adventure brought lots of laughter, excitement, wildlife, and memorable moments as students had this incredible memory. It was a fun and fitting way to celebrate a week of hard work and meaningful ministry together.
As we begin preparing to head home tomorrow, there is a strong sense of gratitude and reflection among the group. Students have grown closer to one another, stepped outside their comfort zones, and engaged in meaningful gospel conversations throughout the week. It has been a joy to watch this class unite around serving others and honoring Christ, and we are thankful for the many positive experiences that will continue to bear fruit long after we return home.
Please pray for a safe trip home tomorrow.