The importance of NCA’s mission, “Passion for God, Compassion for Others” in the life of our school is demonstrated by the requirement that every high school student participate in a school-sponsored mission trip in order to graduate. The Chancellor of the school, Pastor Paul Berube, seeks out mission trip experiences where students will be doing ministry as well as serving people in the region.  A mission trip with NCA is designed to draw students out of their comfort zone in one or more areas:  physically, emotionally, financially, spiritually, and/or culturally.  This is not a “Christian tour” that visits a country and helps a local mission in isolation.

Compassion for others develops as students see God in people of other cultures and meet people who need God so desperately.  The experience is not always “warm & fuzzy” but God’s love compels us to love the unlovely.  The experience also transforms the hearts of students when they see God at work in dire circumstances.  Many have also developed greater joy and contentment in their own lives after observing the joy of Christians who trust God for their literal daily bread.

International trips are scheduled annually for the winter/spring school breaks with a domestic mission project organized every other year. This year arrangements are being made for a team to go to Bolivia in February and Poland in April. All high school students were invited to apply by December 7 with preference given to Seniors, then Juniors, etc. due to the graduation requirement.

Students must raise their own funds to cover the cost of the trip which is typically $1200 to $1500.  They are encouraged (and given the tools) to send support letters to family members and friends.  Donations are made to Nashua Christian Academy and are tax-deductible.  Ultimately the student’s family is financially responsible for covering the cost of the trip.  Any funds received over and above what is needed are used to help with that trip’s ministry (supplies, donation to the mission work in that region, etc.).

In preparation for the trip, the mission team (students and staff/faculty leaders) meets weekly for 5-6 weeks to pray, learn about the mission location and culture, be instructed as their ministry tasks, and bond together as a team.  Students must also have their personal testimony prepared for presentation at any time during the trip.  When the team arrives on location, the entire first day is devoted to prayer for the ministry.  The role of the leaders is to work alongside the students and to shepherd/guide them as the need arises.

One trip during the high school years is required for graduation from NCA. These trips are an integral part of our focus on "Compassion for People," and are intentionally designed to give participants an opportunity to work in a cross-cultural situation, often outside the country.

NCA mission teams have worked in:

• Orphanages and gypsy camps in Ukraine
• Youth ministry in Romania
• VBS and neighborhood clean-up in Katrina-stricken Gulfport, MS
• A traveling street ministry in Mexico
• Schools and Compassion International's children’s programs in Ecuador
• Outreach to the Cambodian community in Lynn, MA

As we reach out to others, God reaches into our hearts and leaves us changed!

We are pleased to share some possibilities for our 2009-2010 mission trips, and think you will appreciate the exciting new opportunities for this year.

From February 18th through 27th, we are planning a trip to Bolivia. There are many opportunities to serve in this poor South American nation. Our preliminary plans include prayer and joining with a local ministry in Cochabamba ‘washing babies’ in the town square, literally bathing children and providing them clean clothing. From the city we will move further up into the mountains to work at a camp in a rural village, running games and activities for the kids, distributing food, and much more.

Bolivia’s climate is mild, with average daytime temperatures ranging from 60 - 78°. We will be at high elevations – starting at 12,000 feet and going up to 15,000 feet in the Andes mountains, so the team will need to bring 50 SPF or more sunscreen.

The plan for our April trip includes time spent in Hungary and in Krakow with a side trip to Auschwitz. Pastor Paul and a team from Grace Fellowship will be leaving on the 29th to establish the ministry specifics of this trip. Watch for updates!

As always, priority will be afforded to seniors, then juniors. Remember though, some teams are quite large, and all high school students are welcome to apply!

Parents - Please consider these amazing opportunities with your high school students. Students should download the enclosed form to apply for a particular trip. Applications must be returned to the High School Office by Monday, December 7th. Once the teams are defined, we will distribute sample support letters and further information specific to your child’s trip. No one likes to ‘ask for money’ especially in these hard times, but we have many testimonies to tell us that friends and family want to be a part of what the teams are doing for the poor, orphaned and desperate! And note that donors giving prior to December 31st benefit by receiving a tax deduction for 2009. Support overages beyond the direct cost of the trip will be applied to the applicable mission.

Teams typically meet weekly for 5-6 weeks to prepare for the mission experience – learning about the destination culture, preparing testimonies and gospel presentations, and discussing the practical aspects of travel in today’s security conscious world.

Blessings, Chris Urban

It's time to hit the friendly skies once again. A team of eight is ready to take off during February vacation and head to Jamaica to serve on a missions trip. Vicki Nason, Christen Byrd, Nina Spataro, Krysten Gosztyla, Joy Hartman, Maria Imperiali, Colleen Standish, and Kayla Houle will be spending eight days at Robin's Nest in Montego Bay, Jamaica.Robin's Nest Children's Home is an orphanage which serves many children in a loving and compassionate Christian environment.

God is providing an awesome opportunity for our team to serve and help in various ways. While in Jamaica we will be involved in simply loving on babies (holding and rocking them); teaching swimming lessons and playing with children; daily chores of mopping, sweeping, cleaning, and doing dishes, etc. The team is extremely excited and each and every member has commented on the fact that they know their lives are going to be changed forever after this experience. That is our prayer... may God stretch us and use us to our fullest potential to share his love with those in need; those less fortunate than ourselves.

There are ways that you can help right here at home. Would you consider praying for our team during our mission? We will be leaving Friday, February 20th and returning Friday, February 27th. Would you pray for safety, health and wellness, that God would use us, and that God would do a work in our hearts?

You can also support our team financially. If you would like to give to this trip simply write a check out to NCA and be sure to mark it for the Jamaica Missions Trip.

This year’s trip to the Ukraine co-lead by Sean VonRoen and Janine Myers will be traveling during spring break. The team consists of Amanda Sweeny, Emily Myers, Emily Holecy, Becky Mason, Anna Rohrer, Jeremiah Robinson, Chris Maloney, Tom Christ, Dan Earl, and Mike Standish.

The team will host a parent meeting on Wednesday evening April 2nd at 6:30pm in Bonhoeffers cafe. This will be an informational meeting, and this is also the day that the first half of their trip cost is due. The second half will be due by Monday April 21st. We will keep parents posted on receipt of donations prior to these two deadlines. We will also be sending home a tentative itinerary today. Any questions arising from that will be discussed at the meeting on the 2nd.