By Victoria Hock
Houghton students were busy over Spring Break. Some went on vacation, some traveled for sports training, others relaxed at home, and then there were the Eight Houghton students (including one December graduate) who went on a mission trip to the Czech Republic.
This trip was run through Global Partners, which, according to their official website, is an organization that works towards “Amplifying local church mission for global transformation.”
Junior Sarah Rider was one of the students who traveled on the trip, noting that group members “all learned so much about the importance of authentic relationship building as a part of starting and growing churches.”
Rider further adds that attendees had the opportunity to learn “about the history of Czech culture,” and that they were able to meet and make friends with a lot of Czech people, who she described as “wonderful.”
Students on the mission trip were hosted by two Houghton alumni, Kevin and Cindy Austin.
Senior Kendra Evans, another mission trip attendee, commented on the impact the Austins had, stating, “Both of them have shared extreme hospitality with our team while we were in the Czech Republic.”
Junior Hope Willert, another student who went on the mission trip, also shared the impact that the Austins had on their trip.
“We got to see a lot of what missions look like for them, which we learned is based primarily on building relationships and sharing the faith through them.”
Students had the opportunity to participate in many different activities while on the mission trip. “We visited local schools, helped out at a church youth event, had Czech lessons, traveled to three different cities (including Prague!), tried lots of Czech foods, and so much more,” says Willert.
Evans noted that students were able to visit places like Pogêbrody, Kutna Hora, and Brno, in addition to Prague. She also added that they were able to assist with a conversation club to teach English to adults in Brno, as well as a “youth hangout with high schoolers.”
Helping out with a few Christian organizations was another opportunity that Evans mentioned.
“It was great to see and help the Christian organizations in the Czech Republic,” says Evans, “Mijak (which means lighthouse in Czech) and Remedy (a church of twenty people). Christianity is kept on the down low due to the Czech Republic having the highest concentration of those who do not associate themselves with a religion.”
Evans also discussed that they saw “the effects of the war in Ukraine,” and they became friends with Ukrainian Refugees.
Overall, attendees seem to be in agreement that they were positively impacted by their mission trip, with Willert stating that after talking with the people who went on the mission trip, she feels that they “have all been changed for the better because of this experience.” She further added that “God clearly worked through the people there to open our eyes to the new culture and the missions field there. Coming home, we are all inspired to find more ways in our lives where we can serve God in both big and small ways.” ★
