Concordia University, Nebraska

This May, several faculty and students went on a study and service-learning tour to Peru. The trip was led by Dr. Joel Helmer, Holly Helmer, and Dr. Brian Albright.

From May 9-16, Dr. Brian Gauthier, assistant professor of theology, Amy Hubach, and five students went on a mission trip to Peru.

From May 4-11, Dr. Jennifer Janousek, professor of health and human performance, Jill Beisel, physician's assistant and Dr. Sarah Matthias, pediatrician, and nine students: Ian Fiala, Garret Nokelby, Emily Morse, Reece Snodgrass, Rebecca Gebhardt, Halee Steffensmeier, Kylie Freudenberg, Roxana Dynes and Seanna Patterson went on a medical mission trip to Guatemala.

From May 6 to May 12, six Concordia business students: Aubrey Baumann, Ashley Gerczynski, Sydni Kroll, Mady Payne and Kyla Schleusener, went on a mission trip to Cambodia led by Dr. Curt Beck, professor of business administration.

Twelve students and two faculty members from Concordia University, Nebraska participated in a study tour to Costa Rica March 3-12, 2017, led by assistant biology professor, Jennifer Fruend, and Kelley Limback, education partnership coordinator for the College of Graduate Studies and Adult Education.

Dr. Daniel Thurber, professor of English at Concordia University, Nebraska, hosted his 22nd study tour of Europe for students from Dec. 26, 2015, to Jan. 9, 2016. This year's trip includes travels to Dublin, Ireland, London, England, and Copenhagen, Denmark.

A tropical ecology class from Concordia University, Nebraska, visited Costa Rica on an 11-day study tour March 6-16. Led by Dr. Joseph Gubanyi, professor of biology, the group of 13 students studied the biodiversity and characteristics of the country's tropical rainforests. "Costa Rica is a model nation when it comes to protecting its rainforests," said Gubanyi. "As a result, it is one of the best places in the world to see and study rainforests." Gubanyi has visited the country more than 10 times and leads study tours every spring. The tours alternate between Costa Rica, where students study rainforests, and Belize, where they study tropical marine biology. Gubanyi also led a tour to Churchill, Manitoba, to study arctic biology last June. Students met with Gubanyi for eight weeks of classes before leaving for Costa Rica. On the tour, the group spent time hiking rainforest trails, observing plant, animals and ecological patterns. They were able to see and study wild monkeys, bats, toucans, parrots, sloths, iguanas, crocodiles and many other creatures both in the daylight and at night. The class visited the San Jose area and Poas Volcano National Park before driving to La Selva Biological Station, where it studied lowland tropical wet forests. The group then spent the night at Palo Verde National Park to observe tropical dry rainforests. From there, they traveled to Monteverde to study a cloud forest and spent the night at the Monteverde Tropical Science Center. The tour and tropical ecology course are designed for students in biology and natural science programs. However, Gubanyi opens the experience to anyone interested in exploring other countries. Students included:

Over spring break, 12 Concordia University, Nebraska students visited Zacapa, Guatemala, for a week-long medical mission trip in conjunction with the Central American Lutheran Mission Society. Led by Dr. Jennifer Janousek, director of the Master of Public Health program at Concordia, the group of students traveled with a pediatrician, nurse and dentist to host medical and dental clinics. The team visited three villages: QueBrada de Aqua, Roblarcito and San Miguel. While on the trip, the team also taught children and adults about hygiene and nutrition, built latrines and stoves, and held Bible studies for children. "In my opinion, there are no words to describe the experience we had in Guatemala. We are so very grateful for the time God blessed us with in this wonderful country," said sophomore Morgan Vitosh in the team's blog. The full blog as well as photos and a video can be found at http://cunetoguatemala.blogspot.com/. Now back in Seward, the team members are readjusting to life in the United States. "We can only pray that the relationships made with the Guatemalans and the assistance we offered has made an impact in their lives," said sophomore Anna McDaniel. "We are Christ's hands in this world." Student participants' academic majors include pre-medicine, community health, exercise science, education and behavioral science. The Master of Public Health program at Concordia focuses on the fundamentals of public health, placing emphasis on practical experience through practicum work and mission trips. Based on Christian faith and values, the program prepares graduates to use their knowledge and experience to improve the state of public health around the world. Mission team members include:

Ten Concordia Nebraska students taught English and American culture to students in grades kindergarten through eighth at Buena Vista Concordia International School in Shenzhen, China for three weeks this summer.

Over spring break, 12 Concordia University, Nebraska students visited Zacapa, Guatemala, for a week-long medical mission trip in conjunction with the Central American Lutheran Mission Society. Led by Dr. Jennifer Janousek, director of the Master of Public Health program at Concordia, the group of students traveled with a pediatrician, nurse and dentist to host medical and dental clinics. The team visited three villages: QueBrada de Aqua, Roblarcito and San Miguel. While on the trip, the team also taught children and adults about hygiene and nutrition, built latrines and stoves, and held Bible studies for children. "In my opinion, there are no words to describe the experience we had in Guatemala. We are so very grateful for the time God blessed us with in this wonderful country," said sophomore Morgan Vitosh in the team's blog. The full blog as well as photos and a video can be found at http://cunetoguatemala.blogspot.com/. Now back in Seward, the team members are readjusting to life in the United States. "We can only pray that the relationships made with the Guatemalans and the assistance we offered has made an impact in their lives," said sophomore Anna McDaniel. "We are Christ's hands in this world." Student participants' academic majors include pre-medicine, community health, exercise science, education and behavioral science. The Master of Public Health program at Concordia focuses on the fundamentals of public health, placing emphasis on practical experience through practicum work and mission trips. Based on Christian faith and values, the program prepares graduates to use their knowledge and experience to improve the state of public health around the world. Mission team members include:

Seven students from Concordia University, Nebraska's global and multi-cultural studies class recently completed a mission trip to Latvia Nov. 17-24. The group's goal was to encourage Latvians in the Christian faith and to learn about the country's culture. During the trip, the students took part in local worship, visited families and children at afterschool centers to sing, played games and encouraged both students and teachers in faith. The group also left Bibelots, small clay trinkets, as reminders of faith with the Latvians. "This experience was more than I had hoped," said Tim Rippstein, assistant professor of education and leader of the group. "There were tremendous mission opportunities to encourage and support Latvians who have endured a deeper economic recession, personal and social challenges, and to share the Gospel of Christ and his love." Since the trip occurred over Concordia's Thanksgiving break, the mission team prepared a traditional Thanksgiving meal to share with the Latvian people. The students explained the tradition, the purpose behind the meal and the history of the Thanksgiving holiday, followed by a game of football outside. The course, Topics in Culture and Ministry in Latvia, aims to teach students about the country of Latvia and its people, history, political and economic situations. In addition to mission work during the trip, students ate traditional Latvian foods and studied the WWII history of the area as well as the post-war occupation by the USSR. Concordia students who visited Latvia include:

A group of Concordia University, Nebraska students took part in a study tour to the Holy Land June 6-20. The tour, led by Dr. Mark Meehl, professor of theology, included visits to Galilee, Bethlehem, the Dead Sea and Jerusalem. The tour was designed, according to Meehl, as a pilgrimage tailored to the needs of Concordia's students, alumni and friends. Participants had the opportunity to meet and speak with people of the regionaEUR"Palestinians, Israelis, Christians, Jews and MuslimsaEUR"as well as take part in a 13th century worship service in the Crusader Chapel of Jerusalem. The tour highlighted important biblical sites and events in order to help students better understand and relate to both the Old and New Testaments. "The best part of the trip was being able to learn a lot about God's Word, Middle Eastern culture, and biblical history every day knowing that I was walking where Jesus walked," said Tyler Zander, a senior theology education major. "A journey like this makes everything you learn in Sunday school, church, and in a Lutheran school classroom growing up seem and feel more real." Those participating in the tour included:

Nine Concordia University, Nebraska students recently returned from a mission trip to Hong Kong, China, May 9-20. The trip served as an opportunity for the students to teach about God at churches and primary schools around Hong Kong. Throughout the trip, the Concordia mission team traveled to churches and primary schools to teach Sunday School, lead assemblies, converse with students during recess times and participate in worship services. Even though some of the activities and church services were given in the Cantonese language, the team felt language was not a barrier. "It is so exciting to know that wherever we go, no matter what we look like or sound like, we serve the same God," said Hannah Uden, a member of the mission team, about meetings with fellow Christians. The team also had the chance to stay with host families in Hong Kong and get a sense of what it's like to live there every day. "The visit enlightened our perspectives on the Chinese way of living, as well as our own," said Lydia Pomerenke, a member of the team. "We came to the conclusion that the two cultures, Chinese and American, are not so different." The Concordia mission team prepared for the trip by holding fundraisers. They held a raffle for students to win a home-cooked meal, and they sponsored a 5k run/walk in April. The team also completed training through recorded DVD sessions and manuals from The Lutheran ChurchaEUR"Missouri Synod World Mission program. To read more and view photos from the trip, visit the team's blog at http://missiontohongkong-cune.blogspot.com. Student missionaries from your area include: