After an early morning flight and four-hour drive, eight adults and 25 Columbia Adventist Academy (CAA) students reached Vallé de la Trinidad, Mexico, and El Oasis, an International Children's Care (ICC) home that cares for more than 60 orphans. Led by Doug Congleton from ICC, work projects were assigned the next morning and the group went to work.

On Friday evening the CAA group joined with the El Oasis family for vespers. Columbia students led the worship service the next day, when senior Crystal Turner patiently worked with the interpreter to get her sermon message across. After church, each member of the CAA group met the little "brothers and sisters" they would focus on during the week.

The students accomplished a lot as they painted houses, laid tile at the church entrance, and installed electrical fixtures and painted in the new school building that is under construction.

Shopping excursions provided a break from the work routine during the week, but the highlight of the trip was getting to know the children. Evening play times, a picnic and visits to the children’s residences helped our group provide extra love and care for the children. Congleton told stories about the lives of some of the children during nightly “Circle of Prayer” sessions in front of each house, during which the group prayed for the residents.

It was hard to say goodbye as the children left for school and the CAA group prepared to leave. The sponsors were proud of the students' ability to work independently, their enthusiasm to help do whatever was needed, and the love and care they showed to the children that attested to their love for God.

Now trip participants look forward to meeting their El Oasis friends again, even if they have to wait until heaven.