It's tradition for many OCS students to go on international mission trips during the Christmas break each year, and a new tradition is taking hold for students to travel shorter distances to serve. 

One group went to Washington, D.C. to be the hands and feet of Jesus. They served by speaking to the homeless people they encountered and offering them Breadcoin tokens that can be used across the district to buy food at locally owned restaurants. 

Sports Media teacher and a sponsor for the group, Holly Emig, said the trip was short but very impactful. The group landed on Sunday and was immediately snowed in by eight inches of snow. The city virtually shut down, so all they could do was walk around U.S. Capitol in the snow. Emig said no one complained because it was breathtakingly beautiful. It stopped snowing Monday night, so they were able to accomplish some of the goals they had for the trip.

"On Tuesday morning, we were able to go to the headquarters of Breadcoin. We helped them roll thousands of coins to be distributed across the DC area," she said. "Then that afternoon we went to the Museum of the Bible. Most students had been there before, but I've never been. The creators and curators of the museum did an amazing job making the words of the Bible come to life. I'll have to go back sometime so I can really take in all of the information about the history of the Bible. There's just so much to see and read. I loved it."

Another domestic mission group traveled even fewer miles to do Kingdom work. A group of 30 students and three sponsors traveled to San Antonio to serve. Varsity basketball player, Ella Voskuhl, said the trim helped strengthen her personal relationship with Christ. 

"I really enjoyed my mission trip," she said. "The kids at the VBS were so happy. It was awesome to be the hands and feet of Jesus!" 

With each new year, more and more lives are being impacted by the OCS mission trips. Please pray that the seeds planted this year will take root and grow, both near and far.