LASA Service Trips
“Love All, Serve All” or “LASA” is the name of our Grade 9-12 school service program here at TCIS. It is an uplifting phrase, and even more it is a way of life. We believe that Jesus has called us, as his followers, to love all people and to serve all people; Christians see needs around them and use their gifts and resources to meet those needs. We encourage all students and staff to live their lives in this way as opportunities present themselves.
Senior student talks about her experience on the LASA India trip
Senior student talks about her experience on the LASA Thailand trip
Exposure & Experience
The LASA program takes students out of their normal environment and exposes them to the needs of others in other parts of the world. It seeks to expand their understanding of the world, the needs of different people groups, and what other people in the world are doing to serve others in their own communities. LASA is a time of active learning.
Some of the possible work and faith sharing opportunities our students may experience on these trips are:
- Tutoring or teaching younger children in a local school setting
- Providing minor medical care
- Building projects/construction
- Involvement with local feeding programs
- Sports Ministries
- Spending time with children and orphans, ministering to their needs
- Learning about the rights of children and other peoples around the world
- Sharing musical and other skill-based talents with less privileged students
- Sharing Bible stories and personal testimonies
Locations & Ministry Partners
We partner with a variety of people and organizations in our LASA program. We are grateful for the relationships and the spirit with which we are hosted in the various places that we serve. We are a blessed community to have these opportunities.
Bengaluru (Bangalore), India
For over a decade, TCIS has been partnering with the Beulah Home orphanage in Bengaluru, India. There are over 70 children ranging from the ages of 4 to 16 living there presently. This is a Christian orphanage and students are involved with leading children’s ministries while at the orphanage. It includes telling Bible Stories, leading music, performing skits, playing games, and making crafts. They may also perform some service project there as well, depending on the current needs (i.e. painting, cleaning, teaching classes etc.)
The main purpose for this trip is to show God’s love and hope to the children. To help them realize that they do have a Heavenly Father who loves and cares about every aspect of their lives. Every year teams go to the Beulah Home to minister to the children, and every year teams return to TCIS changed by the love shown to them and the relationships they established.
Boracay, Philippines
Beginning in 2009, our school has begun to partner with “On the Rock” Ministries in Boracay, Philippines. Boracay is often thought of as a tourist destination known for its beautiful beaches and water. Most of the island, however, lives in poverty. “On the Rock” has a vision for meeting the physical and spiritual needs of the local people living there, on many fronts. Their ministries involve supporting schools to the Ati children, providing medical and feeding sites around the island, sports ministry, and delivering the message of Christ in story and songs.
Students attending this trip will be exposed to an array of service activities. Students will work on construction sites, serve at feeding sites, and present stories and songs to local children. There are many opportunities for cultural exchange on the trip, in a variety of settings. While in Boracay, the teams take advantage of the island’s beautiful beaches and shopping.
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Our longest running trip is that to Chiang Mai, Thailand, and it serves at the Grace Home Orphanage. Teams prepare Bible lessons, skits, songs, games and crafts for the children. In addition, they also spend time on a service project while at the orphanage (in the past they have cleaned, painted, planted trees, and worked on small construction projects). They also have the opportunity to visit a mountain village located just north of Chiang Mai. Students experience a very different life in Thailand than in Korea, but through getting to know the people they are able to understand and appreciate the way they live.
We have a great relationship with the children of Grace Home, and want to continue pouring out God’s love on them. We want to show the people of Chiang Mai that we care, and that the love we have to offer is given to us by our loving God, who offers them life and grace through Christ Jesus.
Larry Smith
Spiritual Life Director
IB Coordinator
smithl@tcis.or.kr