On Wednesday 15th November a team of 20 Year 12 students, along with 4 BHCS staff (Annie McDowell, Jacinta Leed, Glenn Booth and I) departed for Chiang Mai, Thailand, for our Year 12 Mission trip. This trip was truly an amazing experience. I was so impressed with each of our students. The students entered into each activity with great enthusiasm, passion, care, and willingness to serve.

We jammed as much as could into our 11 day stay. A big focus of the trip is serving children. Many of the children are in vulnerable situations. Highlights included helping with youth group and kids club; spending 3 days in a remote mountainous village near the Burmese border teaching English at a local school; visiting an elephant rescue sanctuary, where we played in the mud with the elephants; enjoying a thrilling zip wire ride through the rainforest; and visiting ‘The Freedom Story’ in Chiang Rai. The Freedom Story is a child trafficking prevention project that our school supports through the Ping Pong a Thon.

A highlight of each day for me was our daily group devotion. We began and finished each day with a student led devotion. Every student on the trip takes a turn to share. I was so touched hearing from each student their testimonies of how God was working in their lives on the trip. 

Our students were significantly impacted, with many testifying how their faith had grown. Parents, may I strongly encourage you to plan for your child to attend this trip when they complete Year 12. The experiences the students share are truly unique, so impacting on their faith and create memories that will be lifelong. 

This trip that we went on was the most eye opening thing ever, seeing everyone’s constantly happy faces enjoying absolutely everything was amazing to watch and to be around.

Samuel – Year 12