Gregory Swinney, CSF statewide director, 308.234-3922
Spring break for college students is often thought of as a time of sun and fun for thousands of students who bask on the beaches of Florida and Texas.
For 54 University of Nebraska at Kearney students and their sponsors from Christian Student Fellowship, a UNK student organization, the week will be quite different. They will travel 2,400 miles to Sabinas, Mexico, during spring break, March 14 – 22, to offer encouragement and relief for the poor in Mexican villages in this economically stricken area.
This spring marks the 17th consecutive year CSF has taken university students to Mexico during spring break, which brings the total number of students who have been involved over the years to more than 1,200.
As has been true in the past, this year the students will carry out construction projects, distribute relief supplies, teach English as a second language and assist Mexican nationals at a church in an area 80 miles across the border from Eagle Pass, Texas. CSF students will also lead worship services and an afternoon Bible story time for children in churches in this area. A highlight of the week for the Mexican children in the area will be a neighborhood carnival the UNK students will host.
What motivates university students to give up their spring break rest, or money-making opportunities, to sleep on a dusty church floor, eat cold food and work long hours in the hot Mexican sun?
One student, Allston Marble, a UNK senior from Grand Island, said: “This trip gives college students like me an opportunity to show Christ’s love to others that are in need. The experience of this mission effort gives me a new perspective and changes the way I live my day- to-day life.”
The total cost for the entire group, including travel costs and building materials for construction projects, for the trip is more than $19,000.
“The students raise that entire amount,” according to Gregory Swinney, CSF statewide director. Between $7,000 – $9,000 of that amount will be used to purchase building materials for the construction projects.
“Kearney area businesses and individuals are assisting in sponsoring the trip by donating food, clothing, transportation assistance, tents, toys and water,” Swinney said.
Those participating in the trip, listed alphabetically by hometown, include:
First Name Last Name Hometown
Krystal Knouf Agra, Kansas
Nicole Haskett Agra, Kansas
Anna Salomon Alliance
Kenna Johnson Ansley
Stacy Hartwig Archer
Kerri Coleman Arnold
Jonathan Miller Broken Bow
Jonathan Dearmont Burwell
Danica Woods Central City
Carrie Miller Doniphan
Daniel Butterfield Gothenburg
Bradley Green Grand Island
Astrid Garcia Waleska Grand Island
Allston Marble Grand Island
Sarah Singkofer Grand Island
Tessa Mills Greenwood
Kristen Horton Hastings
Cristianne Palmer Hastings
Hannah Jensen Holdrege
Katrina Jensen Holdrege
Nicci Horton Houston
Ashley Colburn Juniata
Sara Slingsby Kearney
Rebecca Weinberg Kearney
Gregory Swinney Kearney
Roni Wymore Kearney
Ron Wymore Kearney
Jeremy Wilke Kearney
Andrew Loseke Kearney
Rachel Charley Kearney
Sandra Anthony Kearney
Jessica Feese Kearney
Marc Penny Kearney
Nathan Swinney Kearney
Wilfredo Cabrera Lexington
Kyle Dellevoet Lincoln
Andy McLaughlin Lincoln
Meagan Smedjir Lincoln
Ashlie Zulkoski Lincoln
Patrick McLaughlin Lincoln
Gerald Arnold Jr Litchfield
Alicia Virgl Mead
Rachel Glenn Mead
Kendra Larsen Milford
Jennifer Hanson North Platte
Joyce Carhart North Platte
Bill Carhart North Platte
Lindsey Hackel Omaha
Elizabeth Swinney Omaha
Eizabeth Petto Omaha
Brigim Hackel Ord
Stacie Williams Phillips
Anthony Grimes Ravenna
Susi Miguel Wenatchee, WA
