2026 Trips
August 1 - 8 at the Children's Home
October 31 - Nov 7 at the Children's Home
October 24 - 31 in Guapiles
October 31 - Nov 7 at the Children's Home
October 24 - 31 in Guapiles
Methodist ministries in Costa Rica are seeking teams to engage with fellow Christ-followers and assist with essential construction projects. Churches can send teams of 15-20 people for a week to one of the churches or the Methodist Children’s Home for needed construction projects, good fellowship, and children’s activities. For smaller congregations, we hope to assemble conference-wide teams comprising members from various churches.
Trip Contact
Individuals, pastors, and Missions leaders, please contact Lindy Thomas at lindythomas@midtexasgmc.org if you would like to consider joining or bringing a team to Costa Rica. All ages are welcome (as long as younger children are traveling with their parents) and there will be ministry opportunities for all. Training will be available for teams and leaders.
Cost
The cost of the trip will be about $850-1,000 plus airfare. Teams will supply materials for the projects they will work on, so the cost can either be divided among team members or donated by churches or through fundraising. This will affect the final cost per person. If a team wants to take an extra day for fun or sightseeing, that cost will be in addition. Once teams are formed and decisions are made, final costs will be communicated.
Ministry Safe
Participants will need to take Ministry Safe online training. If you have been trained through your church, you can send your certificate. Individual training is available here for $15 per person or you may be able to get a lower rate through your church.
Testimonies
David's Testimony
Upon arrival, we stepped into the gathering room—and that’s when I first noticed him. He was small, a bit soiled, and quiet. His bright, inquisitive eyes locked onto mine. There was something about the way he looked at me—it felt like he could see right through me. Did he know my secret? Did he know I felt like a fraud?
I had come all the way to Costa Rica to serve, to build something meaningful for the Kingdom of God. Surely that counted for something… didn’t it? I was here to help construct a building—a place for his people.
But as I stood there, I couldn’t shake the questions racing through my mind:
How could he tell this was my first mission trip? Would I actually make a difference? Did I really have anything to offer?
And then, in the middle of all that uncertainty, I felt his hand slip into mine. “Want to kick the ball?” he asked.
Just like that, everything changed.
In that simple moment, God gently reminded me of something profound:
His people are my people—because we are all God’s people.
And my presence… was enough.
Not because of what I could build with my hands, but because of the love I could share with my heart.
“Love your neighbor as yourself.”
“You are the light of the world.”
“Love one another, as I have loved you.”
“Go into all the world…”
I’ll be honest—I was apprehensive at first. Saying yes to this trip meant stepping well outside my comfort zone. But I’m so glad I did. What I experienced changed me.
We often think we’re the ones bringing something to others—but I found the opposite to be true. Those who seem to have so little often carry a joy, a contentment, and a richness of spirit that we so easily overlook.
This trip gave me more than I could have imagined:
New friendships.
A deeper understanding of what it means to live out the love of Jesus.
And a renewed perspective on my own relationship with the Lord.
If you’re considering going—take the step.
You may go thinking you’re there to make a difference…
…but you might just discover that God uses it to change you.
Julie's Testimony
Going to Costa Rica is really unlike anything I've ever done. My family has been on the last 3 trips and we get to experience something new and different each time we go. One thing that stays the same, though, is the spirit of the people and children we have the privilege of working with! They are the most loving people, hungry for Christ, I have gotten to know. We have been on trips where we work at the Methodist Children’s Home, building or doing maintenance around their home and then leading VBS for them and a church in the community. This is such a meaningful time and one of my favorite parts was getting know the kids there and getting to love on them for the week. We have been on trips where we are working on a church building in the town we are visiting and then have led VBS for that congregation. One thing has been the same on all our trips, no matter what our working assignment is for the week.... and that is the worship and growing together as a team while we are there. Our leaders, Louise and Sky, have been instrumental in our getting to have such impactful and memorable experiences! If you are considering going, please make it happen for you and your family! You will never regret the memories you make and the lives you are influencing and leading to Christ while you experience all the beauty Costa Rica has to offer!
The Tennison's Testimony
Our mission trip to Costa Rica was more than just a week of service—it became a defining moment for our family. Working together to help others strengthened our bond, deepened our faith, and reminded us of the importance of gratitude and compassion. From building relationships with the local community to experiencing a different culture firsthand, every moment taught us valuable lessons about humility, teamwork, and love. The trip gave our family memories we will carry forever and inspired us to continue serving others with open hearts long after we returned home.
David's Testimony
One of the greatest blessings in my life has been being involved with Lutie’s Place and the Llano mission trips to Costa Rica. Through these experiences, I have witnessed firsthand the power of serving others and sharing God’s love across cultures and communities. Mission work is not only about traveling to another country; it is about building relationships, helping meet needs, encouraging people, and showing the love of Christ through actions as much as words.
Costa Rica has become deeply meaningful to me because of the people I have met and the experiences I have shared there. I have been blessed to go eleven times, and each trip has shaped my faith in new ways. Every journey has reminded me that serving is not about recognition or praise—it is about being willing to be used by God wherever He calls.
Through these mission trips, I have seen joy in simple moments, hope in difficult circumstances, and faith that crosses every language and cultural barrier. I have learned that sometimes the smallest acts of kindness can make the biggest impact. Just as importantly, the people I served often ended up changing me as much as I hoped to help them.
Being raised as a servant for Jesus has given my life purpose and direction. The lessons I learned growing up continue to guide me today: love people, serve selflessly, and trust God’s plan. My eleven mission trips to Costa Rica are more than memories—they are reminders of a lifelong calling to be the hands and feet of Jesus wherever I go.
Years of service reflect a commitment to Christian mission work and helping communities through faith-based outreach in Costa Rica.
Upon arrival, we stepped into the gathering room—and that’s when I first noticed him. He was small, a bit soiled, and quiet. His bright, inquisitive eyes locked onto mine. There was something about the way he looked at me—it felt like he could see right through me. Did he know my secret? Did he know I felt like a fraud?
I had come all the way to Costa Rica to serve, to build something meaningful for the Kingdom of God. Surely that counted for something… didn’t it? I was here to help construct a building—a place for his people.
But as I stood there, I couldn’t shake the questions racing through my mind:
How could he tell this was my first mission trip? Would I actually make a difference? Did I really have anything to offer?
And then, in the middle of all that uncertainty, I felt his hand slip into mine. “Want to kick the ball?” he asked.
Just like that, everything changed.
In that simple moment, God gently reminded me of something profound:
His people are my people—because we are all God’s people.
And my presence… was enough.
Not because of what I could build with my hands, but because of the love I could share with my heart.
“Love your neighbor as yourself.”
“You are the light of the world.”
“Love one another, as I have loved you.”
“Go into all the world…”
I’ll be honest—I was apprehensive at first. Saying yes to this trip meant stepping well outside my comfort zone. But I’m so glad I did. What I experienced changed me.
We often think we’re the ones bringing something to others—but I found the opposite to be true. Those who seem to have so little often carry a joy, a contentment, and a richness of spirit that we so easily overlook.
This trip gave me more than I could have imagined:
New friendships.
A deeper understanding of what it means to live out the love of Jesus.
And a renewed perspective on my own relationship with the Lord.
If you’re considering going—take the step.
You may go thinking you’re there to make a difference…
…but you might just discover that God uses it to change you.
Julie's Testimony
Going to Costa Rica is really unlike anything I've ever done. My family has been on the last 3 trips and we get to experience something new and different each time we go. One thing that stays the same, though, is the spirit of the people and children we have the privilege of working with! They are the most loving people, hungry for Christ, I have gotten to know. We have been on trips where we work at the Methodist Children’s Home, building or doing maintenance around their home and then leading VBS for them and a church in the community. This is such a meaningful time and one of my favorite parts was getting know the kids there and getting to love on them for the week. We have been on trips where we are working on a church building in the town we are visiting and then have led VBS for that congregation. One thing has been the same on all our trips, no matter what our working assignment is for the week.... and that is the worship and growing together as a team while we are there. Our leaders, Louise and Sky, have been instrumental in our getting to have such impactful and memorable experiences! If you are considering going, please make it happen for you and your family! You will never regret the memories you make and the lives you are influencing and leading to Christ while you experience all the beauty Costa Rica has to offer!
The Tennison's Testimony
Our mission trip to Costa Rica was more than just a week of service—it became a defining moment for our family. Working together to help others strengthened our bond, deepened our faith, and reminded us of the importance of gratitude and compassion. From building relationships with the local community to experiencing a different culture firsthand, every moment taught us valuable lessons about humility, teamwork, and love. The trip gave our family memories we will carry forever and inspired us to continue serving others with open hearts long after we returned home.
David's Testimony
One of the greatest blessings in my life has been being involved with Lutie’s Place and the Llano mission trips to Costa Rica. Through these experiences, I have witnessed firsthand the power of serving others and sharing God’s love across cultures and communities. Mission work is not only about traveling to another country; it is about building relationships, helping meet needs, encouraging people, and showing the love of Christ through actions as much as words.
Costa Rica has become deeply meaningful to me because of the people I have met and the experiences I have shared there. I have been blessed to go eleven times, and each trip has shaped my faith in new ways. Every journey has reminded me that serving is not about recognition or praise—it is about being willing to be used by God wherever He calls.
Through these mission trips, I have seen joy in simple moments, hope in difficult circumstances, and faith that crosses every language and cultural barrier. I have learned that sometimes the smallest acts of kindness can make the biggest impact. Just as importantly, the people I served often ended up changing me as much as I hoped to help them.
Being raised as a servant for Jesus has given my life purpose and direction. The lessons I learned growing up continue to guide me today: love people, serve selflessly, and trust God’s plan. My eleven mission trips to Costa Rica are more than memories—they are reminders of a lifelong calling to be the hands and feet of Jesus wherever I go.
Years of service reflect a commitment to Christian mission work and helping communities through faith-based outreach in Costa Rica.