Contributed photoPORTLAND — Greater Houlton Christian Academy faculty members recently accompanied 10 high school students on a missions trip to Portland. The students volunteered their time at The Root Cellar and Preble Street Soup Kitchen.
“As a school our mission is to educate the mind for knowledge and to enlighten the spirit for wisdom,” explained Dan Angotti, GHCA science and math teacher. “Part of that effort includes helping our students understand what it means to serve. It was a privilege to plan this trip with the students and help them see that an overseas journey is not the only place to minister to the needs of others.”
The students began their trip with a visit to Sarah’s House, a respite for families and cancer patients receiving treatment at CancerCare of Maine in Brewer. Students had been collecting contributions through the year and hand-delivered a $700 donation. They were able to see first-hand how their efforts benefit those going through such a challenging health crisis.
The students then continued to Portland where they played with children in an after school program at The Root Cellar. “Spending time with a large group of children who do not necessarily have a safe place to live and/or are economically disadvantaged was an eye-opener for our teens,” said Talitha Grant, GHCA Spanish and world history teacher. “While this was a brief trip and close to home, it was long enough for our students to gain an appreciation for the struggles that many children and families face each day.”
Finally the students spent time at Preble Street Soup Kitchen, preparing and helping to serve meals to Portland’s homeless population. “Seeing long lines of people in need of a warm meal was alarming to them,” Angotti said. “It was a learning experience they won’t soon forget.”
Applications are now being accepted for the 2016/2017 school year. It has provided a Christian education to students from Aroostook County, Maine, New Brunswick, Canada and overseas students for 32 years. To learn more about GHCA, visit them at www.ghca.com, “Like” them on Facebook, or contact the office at 532-0736.
