8 Kids. 4 Families. One Mission: Why This Group Is Saying “Yes” Together
It started with a simple desire: To be a family that serves God together.
Now, that “yes” is taking four families—7 adults and 8 kids ranging from just 9 months to 11 years old—all the way to Costa Rica.
This June, families from Valiente Dual Academy will step into something bigger than a trip. They’ll step into the global Church.
And they won’t be going empty-handed.
Learning a Language… and Living It
Valiente Dual Academy began just two years ago with a vision: create a space where children could learn Spanish through fun, connection, and culture.
Games. Crafts. Laughter. Friendship.
But beneath it all was something deeper—the belief that language opens doors.
“We wanted our kids to learn about other cultures and languages while having fun,” Savannah Vasquez, co-founder of the school, shared. “But also to connect.”
Now, those lessons are about to come alive.
“I think they’ll be surprised how much they already understand,” she said. “And inspired to keep learning so they can continue building relationships.”
Because in Costa Rica, Spanish won’t just be something they practice.
It will be how they love people.
A Bigger View of the World
For Savannah and her husband, this trip is deeply personal.
Both have served in missions and lived overseas. Those experiences shaped something foundational in them:
God’s Kingdom is global.
“When you experience other cultures at a young age,” Savannah said, “you’re less likely to believe false ideas about the world. You’ve seen it. You’ve built relationships.”
And that changes you.
It reminds you that even across languages and cultures, we’re not so different after all.
We’re all searching for purpose. For belonging.
What They’re Really Going to Learn
Yes, they’ll be leading children’s ministry.
Yes, they’ll be serving.
But that’s not the full story.
“What I’m most excited for,” Savannah shared, “is that they’ll realize missions is less about giving of yourself and more about making room for God to work in your heart.”
That shift—from doing to becoming—is where transformation happens.
She hopes each person walks away seeing people the way God does:
Not as different. Not as distant.
But as reflections of His image.
Seeing It Through a Child’s Eyes
And maybe the most powerful perspective comes from the kids themselves.
“I think it will be like helping other people and telling them about God.” – Emmanuel, 9
“Because most of the kids speak Spanish, so I can communicate with them.” – Emmanuel
“To fly on an airplane and playing games!” – Jonathan, 5
Honest. Joyful. Expectant.
Even their fears are real:
“Flying.” – Jonathan
But so is their willingness to go anyway.
It Started in the Classroom… and It Didn’t Stay There
After spending the year learning about Spanish-speaking countries, the group decided to bring Costa Rica to their community through a fundraiser event.
Coffee. Crafts. Community support.
A glimpse of what was ahead.
But the bigger picture?
This isn’t just about one trip.
It’s about a way of living.
Just Go
Savannah said it simply:
“If God is nudging you to do it—do it. He will make a way.”
That’s the invitation.
Not just for these families.
For all of us.
You don’t have to have it all figured out.
You don’t have to go alone.
Grab a group. Bring your family.
Go across the street.
Go across the world.
It all started with a prayer.
One unforgettable moment happened in Tirrases. While the team walked the streets, one student felt the Spirit urging him to stop and pray with a young mom caring for three children. She gave her life to Christ on the spot. Days later, her mother passed away. The team attended the wake, where Enrique, a CFCI leader, shared the news of her decision to follow Jesus. Because one student obeyed, the gospel was proclaimed to an entire family in the middle of their grief.
“The grief was devastating,” Jordan said. “But because of what we had just experienced in Costa Rica, our faith was stronger, our unity was deeper, and our hope in Christ was unshaken. God poured into us there so we could pour His love out here, even in the midst of grief.”
Susan Grosser first came to Costa Rica in 1970 to study Spanish. At the time, she had no intention of staying long-term—certainly not a lifetime.
Today, 80-year-old Susan still serves in Carpio, a community of over 40,000 people. Mornings find her at the local clinic offering care, prayer, and a listening ear. Afternoons are for tutoring children, encouraging young mothers, and mentoring women through WhatsApp devotionals. She writes daily Scripture reflections for over 100 women in her “Amigas de Nicaragua” chat group.
“It’s beautiful to see how God sustains people. Now she teaches Sunday school and runs our clothing ministry,” Susan said. “Her daughter is one of the most spiritually sensitive kids I’ve ever met.”
Carsen is only 12-years-old—but already, he’s learning what it means to say yes to God.
After we prayed, he told me he finally felt happy and relieved, like he could wake up in peace instead of sadness,” Riley said. “It gave me so much joy knowing the Lord worked through me to comfort him.
“The work being done here is not only helpful but life-changing,” Riley said. “Many people have so little, but what we provide gives them a way out of physical and spiritual poverty. The joy on their faces makes every bit of effort worth it.”
For Eleanore Hyvonen, missions never was just a calling—it’s a way of life. From a young age, she knew she was meant to serve the Lord, not just in words, but through action. That passion became a reality when she first connected with Christ For the City International through an internship at Wheaton College.
But missions isn’t just about the places we go—they’re about the people we meet, the lives we impact, and the hope we share. Through Global Teams, Eleanore has seen the power of faith in action, the beauty of communities coming together, and the undeniable truth that when Christ is at the center, lives are changed forever.
