Local Teens Return from Life-Changing Trip

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Most American teenagers couldn't imagine living without cell phones and gadgets. But 16-year-old Brandon Furrate found out this summer -- that's the way of life for most boys his age in Costa Rica.

"They don't have TV's, radios, cell phones. Some people only have garbage cans and they sit there and they're happy with who they are," said the Jacksonville high school student.

Furrate just returned from a seven-day mission trip to Costa Rica. He says the experience there humbled him.

"They don't even know it but they have barely anything and they're happy with what they have."

Furrate is one of 25 people from the Celebration Church on the Southside who spent a week teaching English to children in the small township of Alejuelita. They also brought the kids soccer balls and other gifts and helped paint schools there.

During the trip, the teens wrote blogs about their experiences.

"There are not really a lot of teenagers who get to go to Costa Rica and get to help kids who don't have anything," said Chelsea Rogers-Kibbey.

The 15-year-old says she didn't expect to see so much poverty in the country. But she was happy to help them by showing her love for those who aren't as fortunate as her.

This was the first group of high school students to go on a mission trip to Costa Rica.

The church will take 11 mission trips this year.

Both Rogers-Kibbey and Furrate plan to continue reaching out and helping others in remote places.

"Interacting with the people, playing football with kids -- it really changed their lives," says Furrate. "It was the most amazing thing I ever seen."

You can share in their adventure by checking out their blogs and a gallery of photos of the trip at www.fromthefield.wordpress.com