Shen-Val-Lore The Student Voice of Shenandoah Valley Academy
Shenandoah Valley Academy
May 5, 2022
Volume 92, Edition 4
Upcoming Events May
1-5
Teacher Appreciation Week
4-8
New England Study Tour
12
ROK Hayride Vespers
13
Spring Music Concert/ Art Show
17
AP U.S. History Exam
Mission Trip
18-19
Senior Exams
19
Awards Chapel
20
Flower Eventide/ Handshake/ Video
OMARIS MERCADO
On Wednesday March 8, at 2 A.M, everyone attending the mission trip began boarding the bus. We arrived at Cancun and drove eight hours to Campeche in Escarcega. We were understandably all tired and got a late start the next day. We met the church leaders at breakfast and headed out to the first church site in Matamoros where the old church was small and made of wood. We were divided into groups of cement mixers, brick passers, and stackers. Some church people brought us coconuts and soda and, later in the day, some kids came by and students went to talk with them and played soccer. We left very tired at 6:00, having ended
up laying four layers of the wall on that first day. The second work day was Friday, so we worked until four. That day we split up into our two churches and I stayed at the second site at Haro. On Sabbath the groups were also split into their respective groups. Our smaller church at the site was a small house. It was taken down and too small for all of us to fit in, so we went to a sort of basketball court for church. There weren’t many members, but it was quaint and everyone was nice. I translated for Pastor Harley, who gave the sermon that day. Our worship group, which included Saray Castillo-Cruz, Belmaris Mercado, Sarita Sanchez, Isai Roblero,
Juri Castellanos, Steve Paz, Alonso Sanchez, and Roger Gullien, led the song service. After church we had lunch and later the Sabbath activity, which was a hike with some members of another nearby church called “La Chiquita.” At the end of the hike when we walked back to our buses, as the sun set we held hands and sang for eventide with the church members and children. On Sunday and Monday, we worked hard. For those two days I was sifting sand, sweeping, and helping mix cement. The building was starting to come together. The ladies brought us tortillas and chicken and jugo jamaica. On Tuesday we worked until noon and then
went to Miguel Colorado Eco Park where we ziplined 200 feet above a cenote. After ziplining, we went down to the water. On day eight I worked until noon and then went to the nearby school with Gaby Goncalves, Mia Rivera, Diara Bonilla, Belmaris Mercado, Isai Roblero, Saray Castillo-Cruz, and Juri Castellanos. We sang songs with the children, who were so excited to see us. We played games with them and left them with some stuffed animals and sports balls. Thursday, we went to Playa Aguadena (Mayan Riviera). The beach was so beautiful and we collected and brought back beautiful shells. The beach was so serene and we ate tamales the
church ladies prepared for us. The sunset was gorgeous, and we spent hours in the ocean. Afterwards we had a devotional together and watched the sunset. The last day of work was Friday and we worked until 4:00. The church ladies brought us food again. They made yuca with tortillas and the most amazing vegetarian tacos I’ve ever had. We did most of the wall plastering and went to the youth summit afterwards. The theme was Adventist youth in missions. All the youth were shocked to see Americans and asked to take pictures with us.
Yearbook 21-24
Senior Class Trip
22-24
Final Exams
26-28
Graduation Weekend
27
Senior Baptisms
August
17
Early Registration
18-19
RA/Sa Retreats
20
Regular Registration
26
Nature Sabbath/
ROK Handshake/Almost Anything Goes 30-3
Senior Survival
September
TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 Mission Trip 2 Alumni Weekend 3 Junior/Senior Banquet 4 Junior Religion Trip 5 Week of Prayer
6 Sophomore Religion Trip 7 Italy Tour
4
SA Picnic
8
Senior Dedication
11-15
Week of Prayer
20-24
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