CRC was introduced to this mission opportunity by Dr. Gerald Dickinson, professor of educational leadership at Arkansas State University.

Dickinson said that Seventh and Mueller wanted to involve CRC, and he was willing to work with the students if it helped with their curriculum.

In addition to the opportunity to serve, the trip also offered the students credit for courses.

CRC President Ken Hoppe said that the students received three hours credit for international culture studies to go toward either a psychology or sociology course or three Bible credits.

"It was a very positive thing, and it opened up a whole new area for the school," Hoppe said.

But according to Sharon Knight, director of community relations for CRC, it was too late for the students to receive financial aid to help pay for the trip. Therefore, the students had their churches help them raise the $1861 it cost them to go on the trip.

According to Lori Sparkman, one of the students who attended, to receive credit, all of the students had to do several things.

For example, each day, the students were required to keep a daily reflection journal and present their thoughts to the group in the morning.

"We had to write what we noticed about Costa Rica and the things we did," Sparkman said. "One day, I wrote about how time is not an issue there; they are very relaxed and laid back."

The students were also required to conduct a one-day vacation Bible school for about 50 children who were 16 or younger.

According to Sparkman, the group presented the story of Daniel and the lion's den, as well as gave the children a craft to complete.

Sparkman said that, because of the language barrier, it was initially difficult to know whether they were getting their message across. However, the children were responsible for putting on a skit about what they had learned during the lesson.

"We got to see that we actually got through to them," Sparkman said.

Another way the students made a difference was through another requirement; students were allowed to bring only two suitcases each on the trip -- one for themselves and the other with clothes to give away to the community.

Sparkman said they realized that the people needed the clothes when she saw one of the younger boys wearing an Emerson shirt.

"It was proof we were doing something good," she said. "They were both impressed and impressive. They made friends that will leave a lasting impression on them for the rest of their lives."