Meet the Team
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
Ephesians 2:10
"Know God, be His people, love others, and change our world."
This blog is for friends and parents of the 2026 Costa Rica Mission Trip. We will be going to help the Salley family, who are missionaries in San Jose, Costa Rica.
Camille Clements
Our fearless leader, Camille Clements, has been teaching at LCA for almost twenty-five years. She has been going on ministry trips with students since 2001. In 2011, she helped to set up a trip to Costa Rica. Camille contacted the Salley family, and the Costa Rica Ministry trip came in to being and has been going strong ever since.
Miss Clements became the Trip Leader through a series of events that only the Lord could have orchestrated. She generally prefers to be a behind the scenes kind of person, but through leading the Costa Rica trip, the Lord has grown and stretched her. She considers herself blessed by God to be used to help young people experience a small taste of the foreign mission field firsthand.
Before working for LCA, she served as a missionary for two years in Barcelona, Spain, teaching pre-kindergarten in an international school. As a trip leader with LCA, she has traveled with students to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Baja California, Mexico, Iquitos, Peru and to various locations in Costa Rica.
Beyond teaching and using the Spanish language, Miss Clements also enjoys reading, cooking, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.
“When the Lord calls you to do something,” she states, “trust that He knows what is best for you and do it. Also, trust that He will equip you to do whatever he calls you to do. I has found that he has called me to things that I would not naturally choose to do because in my weakness He is proved strong.”
Stephen Harless
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Cynthia "Tia" Reilly
When Profe CynTia asked Jesus to be her Savior when she was five years old, she certainly did not know that one day she would be an overseas career missionary. However, in looking back, she sees how God prepared her through all her elementary, high school, and college years
CynTia and her husband Kevin, and their four children, moved to Paraguay, South America in 1996. They served there in church planting and education. Later, the Lord moved them to San Jose, Costa Rica in Central America, where they worked again in church support and Christian education. In years between overseas service, Tia worked at Legacy Christian Academy teaching high school English (2010-2017). In 2019, Tia and a Costa Rican missionary started an English-as-a-Second-Language program for international missionaries.
Back in the States now since 2021, CynTia works with her husband with Spanish services in Kettering. She also teaches again at Legacy Christian Academy—Spanish in middle school this time.. Besides living and ministering overseas, she has also participated in 14 mission trips: Chile, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Italy.
John 14:4, 9-10, Jesus states: "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.... Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me."
Isaac Crawford
A senior, Isaac Crawford, plans to attend Kettering College and go through the Pre-PA Program to eventually become a PA.
Isaac wanted the opportunity to go on a mission trip with people he knows and sees this as one of his last chances to be able to partake in one before life after high school begins. He also wanted to be able to spread the Gospel to those who need or want to hear it and to provide these people with that opportunity. Something about Costa Rica that initially caught Isaac's attention was that it was outside of the U.S., and that would be another new cool and interesting experience. This will be his first mission trip, his first opportunity to interact with a completely different culture.
Some of my hobbies include weightlifting, reading, puzzles, running, and videogames.
If he could choose a super power, Isaac would super speed. Super speed allows one to stop crimes and other heinous things before the bad guys even realize what is happening, and he would be so so fast nobody would even have a chance to hurt me.
To encourage others today, Isaac asks, "Have you been working out? You look stronger."
Faith Hammerstrom
A junior, Faith Hammerstrom hopes to attend Nicolet Bible Institute after graduating to further her biblical education. Later, earning a degree in social work, she hopes to work in long-term missions.
Faith is interested in short-term missions and eventually long-term missions because she knows the hope and love that is in Jesus Christ and has seen it displayed so greatly in her own life. She is specifically interested in Costa Rica because of the work the Lord is doing there through GC2 and the Legacy team with VBS and different school ministries serving the people of Costa Rica and working with children.
Faith has had the opportunity to serve on two other previous mission trips. In 2024 she went to Namibia, Africa (her birth country) to serve in a women's conference in different churches around the country. This impacted her greatly; it was her first time seeing the need of Christ in a different country and the passion for Christ that the believers there had. Faith was also a part of the 2025 Legacy team to Costa Rica. On last year's trip to Costa Rica, Faith fell in love with ministry to kids and was inspired by the service and hearts that the interns working with Legacy's team had. Faith is looking forward to being a part of the continued work the Lord is doing in Costa Rica and showing Christ's love to all the Ticos.
Faith loves to run track and cross country with her friends. Faith also loves to sing and dance for fun.
If Faith were a superhero, she would want to have the power to control the weather so she could make is rain, snow, or warm up for whatever occasion.
To encourage others, Faith shares, "God's plan is greater than what you have planned for your life. God's plan doesn't always line up with what we want, but because we know the Lord is good and sovereign, we can trust that no matter what it is, His plan is great."
Jacob Honnold
A junior, Jacob Honnold is interested in this mission trip because he wants experience serving the Lord outside of the U.S.. He previously went on a missions trip with his church to West Virginia and had a great time. Costa Rica particularly interests him because this is only his second time going out of the U.S. He is excited to experience the culture, taste the food, see the sights, and serve the Lord alongside brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ.
With his church, Dayton Avenue Baptist, Jacob went on a mission trip to West Virginia. While there, he and the team refurbished a hotel (scraping old paint off and repainting), serving in the community with yard work, and hosting a one-day VBS for the children in the community.
Jacob is looking forward to traveling to a new country for the first time and furthering the kingdom there. He is excited to meet new people, speak some Spanish to the locals, and work alongside GC2 Ministries.
Jacob loves hiking and camping. He likes to travel the U.S. and see the National Parks. His favorites are Yellowstone and Glacier. He enjoys playing the guitar for his church and the Costa Rica team. He likes to play soccer and hopes that he can use this as a tool to reach the kids down in Costa Rica.
If Jacob were a superhero, he would like to be able to teleport whenever and wherever.
If he were to encourage others, he would share, "Don't stop believing! Hold on to that feeling!"
Lucas Delong
Lucas DeLong is 17 years old and is a Junior in high school.
Lucas is interested in going to Costa Rica for a second time so he can continue to spread the Gospel to those in need of it.
Last year, Lucas went to Costa Rica, and it was there he realized that he felt God calling him to spread the Gospel in any way he can. Lucas is looking forward to meeting new Costa Ricans as well as having fun spreading the Gospel to the kids there.
Lucas's hobbies include playing tennis, soccer, and hanging out with his friends.
If Lucas were a superhero, he would choose the power of teleportation so he could go anywhere in the world, allowing him to spread the Gospel even more!
If Lucas could encourage someone else today, he would say that everything is all in God's plan and that they should keep trusting Him
Victoria Hocking
Victoria is a freshman joining the Costa Rica team for her very first misson trip! Having never been on a misson trip before, this is a new experience, but she has always wanted to go on one. She is most excited about going to Costa Rica with a team of wonderful peers and encouraging team leaders who push you to be the best you can be.
The culture in Costa Rica is vastly different from American culture, and she wishes to experience it firsthand. She hasn't been on any other missions trips but hopes that this trip will help her to spread the love and light that God wants shown to all of His children. Victoria is most excited to meet and grow friendships with the children, getting to know them and introduce them to the Lord.
Victoria enjoys listening to music, horseback riding, and traveling.
If Victoria had superhero powers, they would be telepathic. She wants to recieve true feedback on when she shares the Gospel so she can better understand what they need.
If she were to encourage someone, Victoria would share, "You aren't invisible. People around you may not see you for who you are and what you struggle with, but God does. He has always known and cares for you even in your worst moments."
Genesis Pavon
A tenth grader, Genesis Pavon is interesteget d in growing her relationship with God and helping others learn who He is by going on a short-term mission trip. She is particularly interested in learning new ways to live out God's purpose for her and for the Costa Rica team.
This will be Genesis' first mission trip. Genesis is looking forward to exploring the creation God made that she's never seen before.
Genesis loves to play guitar, dance, sing, draw and paint; she also enjoys rollerblading and exploring the woods.
If she were a superhero, Genesis would want to be able to fly, and with that power she would help people get to where they need to be.
If Genesis could encourage someone today in any way, she would remind them that God has a plan for everything going on in life. Everything has a reason and a purpose to it, and people just have to trust God's plan.
Lena Smith
Lena is a sophmore at Legacy. Lena is interested in doing a short-term mission trip because she has never experienced this type of service before and is hoping to serve others and grow in her own spiritual journey. Costa Rica interests her because she enjoys learning Spanish and wants to experience being in a Spanish-speaking country.
Lena is looking forward to serving God in a different part of the world and experience getting out of her comfort zone.
Lena's other interests are ballet and reading.
If Lena was a superhero she would have the power of time travel.
And if she could encourage someone else today, she would say, "learn from past mistakes and focus on your present relationship with God."
jacob Hollins
A junior in high school, Jacob Hollins is interested in going on this short-term mission trip to develop service and leadership skills for LCA, for the people of Costa Rica, and most importantly, for God. Jacob also is interested in furthering his skills to communicate and function as a team member.
One other short mission trip that Jacob has gone on was a three-week trip to Brazil with his family. In Brazil the Hollins family got to experience the unique culture of Atibaia Brazil near São Paulo while visiting friends and families and reaching out to local churches and preaching there. This experience opened a different perspective of the world to Jacob and it could be very helpful as he goes down to Costa Rica to explore similar cultural differences. Jacob is tired of the flat landscape of Ohio, so he is excited to see the beautiful mountains, tropical beaches, rain forests, and even volcanoes in Costa Rica.
Some of Jacob's favorite hobbies are soaring in gliders, swimming, running, playing chess, and playing video games with his friends.
If Jacob were a superhero his power that he would be known for is teleportation. He would use it to teleport and bring Bibles all around the world really fast!
Jacob's word of encouragement to the world is that no matter what struggles, difficulties, or hardships in your life, always remember that God is in control of everything and that what happens is his will. So don't worry because you can trust in him and rely in him since he has a plan for you and what will happen.
Emily McFadden
Emily McFadden is a junior in high school. Her interest in ministering in Costa Rica comes from desiring to spread the love of God to those who may not have the opportunity to other wise. She finds the long lasting democracy of Costa Rica and the friendly locals very appealing. This her second trip to Costa Rica, Emily looks forward to returning. She recounts that the mission trip drew her closer to God and opened her eyes to the true need for his grace.
Emily looks forward to the new experiences that this trip will give her and being forced to go out of her comfort zone by going to new places with new people.
Emily plays fastpitch softball in her free time and wishes to play at the college level. In her freetime she also enjoys reading and knitting for her family and friends.
If Emily were a superhero, she would want the power of time manipulation so that she wouldn't neccesarily have to fight but could tweak the circumstances slightly to prevent danger or harm.
If Emily could encourage someone today, she would want them to know that if you try your hardest--whether that's 30% or 80%--God will meet you where you're at and you will be able to do great things because of that. Also, Emily would remind them that it is not all on them but to trust the Lord with their struggles.
Collin Moffit
Collin Moffitt is a junior and is excited for this trip and the relationships it will create. He has always wanted to go on a trip to help others who are not as fortunate as he.
Collin is excited for the people he will get to interact with on this trip and the opportunity to spread the gospel.This is his first mission trip and he is very excited to serve those in the field. He is looking forward to increasing his relationships with the team and being able to help those who need it.
Collin loves fishing, golf, music, video games. He also loves playing guitar and instruments.
If Collin had a superpower he would choose teleportation. He would use it as an outlet to help people from across the world as well as being able to go anywhere in the world without having to drive.
He encourages others with the thought, "You may fail, you may mess up, but in the end God still loves you eternally."