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Students prepare for mission trip

Tour provides perspective and school supplies

Grade nine students at Powell River Christian School are preparing for some international learning as they raise money for their mission to Mexico.

Four students, Rosie Rupf, Peyton Bradley, Hannah Barkman, Braden Hofsink, as well as teachers Zander and Kalia Cellarius, will travel to Puerto Vallarta to help out with youth at the Salvation Army. Though not a Salvation Army trip, Powell River Salvation Army Captain BJ Loder, who helps out at the school, will also attend the trip from June 6 to 11.

“We’re all really passionate about going,” said Peyton.

This year is the second year that grade nine students from the school have provided missionary work. The work last year was more labour intensive than this year, Zander said. In 2014 students helped with the construction of a church in Mexico.

Zander, who works as a teacher’s assistant for the grade eight and nine class, and Kalia, who teaches kindergarten and grade one, have gone on mission trips previous to this, but this one will be the first they will lead, Zander said.

“A big thing for us is just how trips like this broaden your perspective on how people live,” he said adding that he hopes the experience will be beneficial for the students.

The students believe the trip will give them the chance to see a different part of the world and “step outside their comfort zone” and “be humbled by the experience.”

The students have undertaken various community fundraising events including car washes, poinsettia and flower sales. Each student is required to raise $1,300. So far they are well on their way, but more help is appreciated, they added.

The students are asking the public for support through prayer, money and school supplies. They will be taking bags of notebooks, pens, pencils and other supplies down to Mexico with them to distribute to youth. Readers who wish to help out can take donations to the school.