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Students Prepare for Second International Mission Trip

Oakcrest will send a mission team to Jamaica this summer to work with Mustard Seed Communities for the second year in a row. Nineteen Upper School students and five chaperones will spend the week of August 8-15  serving Mustard Seed residents. 
 

Mustard Seed Communities serves over 400 children, young adults, and families who belong to the most vulnerable groups in Jamaican society. The populations of its homes include children and young adults with disabilities, children affected by HIV/AIDS, and teen mothers along with their babies. MSC Jamaica also manages a number of community outreach programs to combat poverty and provide education to local populations.

Oakies will stay at Jacob’s Ladder, a Mustard Seed community located on 150 acres in Moneague that provides lifelong housing and care for adults with mental and physical disabilities, as well as a sustainable agriculture program. Besides Jacob’s Ladder, they will spend time at several Mustard Seed residences in the region, including Mary’s Child—a house that provides support for teen mothers and their children—and Sophie’s Place, home to over twenty children with disabilities. While this will be many students’ first time working with Mustard Seed, several team members are returning for a second time. 

Oakcrest faculty and staff who will accompany the students on their trip include Dean of Students Meghan Hadley, Latin teacher Laurie Duncan, and school nurse Nancy Miggins (‘98). Head of School Mary T. Ortiz will also join the trip this year. “I was very impressed with everything about last year's trip,” she says. “I loved the fact that the group prepared so well spiritually and saw the trip in that light. I can't wait to roll up my sleeves alongside Oakcrest students and staff, to bring the love of God to the people we will serve and to find Him in them.” 

Whether it’s through international mission trips or initiatives helping the local community, service has always been an important part of students’ education. Oakcrest’s service program fosters leadership through service to others, from the student-led Service Initiative Program to All-School Service Day. Learn more about service at Oakcrest. 
 
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