On June 7, 2024, a group of five Wayland students and a Wayland staff member left for a 10-day mission trip nearly 3,000 miles north to Soldotna, Alaska. There, they helped Alaska Missions in hosting the Kenai Peninsula Sports Camp, a camp for kids ages 6-14 that not only teaches them the basics of sports such as football, basketball, and soccer, but also teaches them the beauty of God.
The participating Wayland missionaries included a member of the football coaching staff, Marcos Hinojos Jr., and student-athletes Jazmine Jackson (senior), Alex Clements (senior), Dylan McDougal (senior), Annalicia Hernandez (sophomore), and Mikayla Shires (sophomore). The group partnered with a youth group From Christ Point Church in Georgia.
In the mornings, when they weren’t searching for moose and bears or experiencing exotic Alaskan cuisine such as reindeer and trout, the group joined with Alaska Missions executive director, Brenda Crim in assisting with various tasks to help her and Alaska Missions. Some tasks included fixing up an Alaskan missions van lot, cleaning out large storage bins, relocating items in the bins, helping get a vacant lot ready for construction, and other outdoor tasks. In the afternoons, the group reported to Cook Inlet Academy to prepare for the sports camp.
“Soldotna was a beautiful place and was a time of many firsts, and will always hold a special place in my heart,” said Annalicia. ”I made a lot of lasting connections with the kids and the other missionaries. I can’t wait to go back next summer to see all of my little people again.”
At the camp, the group was stationed at different sports with different roles. Jazmine and Dylan led small groups in the basketball portion of the camp, Annalicia and Mikayla led small groups in the football portion of the camp, and Marcos and Alex helped coach the football portion of the camp while also doing indoor and outdoor maintenance for the school.
There were two small groups every day, where the leaders would read a devotional with the young athletes and discuss the devotional. The camp also included a “halftime” where the kids and leaders would sing and dance to worship songs, and listen to the testimonies of two missionaries each day.
Our Wayland missionaries not only impacted hundreds of young lives through spreading the love of Jesus, but also walked away with strengthened faith and incredible new relationships with one another, other missionaries, and the kids.
“Mission trips are great!” said Alex. “I highly encourage everyone to get involved in missionary work to experience the love of God in a way like no other.”
If you are interested in participating in the Alaska Kenai Peninsula mission trip in the summer of 2025, contact Donnie Brown or any of the missionaries listed above for more information.
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