Spring Break Service Trips

When it came to spring break, Alyson Fuest, a St. Louis freshman, was torn between wanting to go to Florida and join her other college friends, or devote her time to service.

But when she was given the opportunity to work on an organic farm, she jumped at the chance because as much as she wanted to spend time on a beach, she loves to serve even more.  

“I love health, learning about healthy living and learning about saving your resources,” Fuest said. “I thought this trip to West Virginia would be a great opportunity for me.”

On Thursday, the 66 students and 12 faculty and staff members participating in service trips over the break met inside Mabee Theater for the annual prayer service send off.

This year, students will be sent to international destinations such as Guatemala, Honduras, Belize and El Salvador, while others, like Fuest, will stay in the United States and serve in West Virginia and Joplin.

“We are blessed to have this large of a group going,” said Bill Kriege, assistant director of campus ministry and director of the service immersion trips. “It’s not just about the work. It’s about really coming to get to know people here at home or abroad. It’s about building those bonds.”