Pura Vida mission is aligned with our local Outreach mission work at NPC whereby we are supporting the family through education and providing better housing and in so doing bettering the community in which they live with an emphasis on Christ.  Our very own, Janie Williams, works full time with Pura Vida.  It is important that our Outreach not only work locally but globally as well. Mission trips have been a long standing love and joy of our congregation. 

Pura Vida mission facilitates the sharing of resources with communities in Guatemala in a meaningful, respectful, and long term way. The primary focus is on providing educational opportunities for children in rural villages through scholarships, tutoring, and support of local schools. They encourage others to work with us as they give of time, knowledge, and resources to help poor rural communities attain a standard of living in which their children can thrive. work is community based in that we focus on a few specific communities, rather than spreading our time and resources thinly across many. That way we get to know the people, gain their trust, and understand their needs.

By focusing on supporting and encouraging communities, helping them from the inside. Pura Vida avoids creating dependencies; instead they focus on projects that "prime the pump", putting people in a position to better themselves and their community. Thus, Pura Vida primary focus is on education. We find that this work also helps educate us as well. Exposure to poverty in the developing world can change the life of a volunteer.

We are planning a week-long trip in the summer of 2025 to help build a home similar to the philosophy of Habitat for Humanity.  In addition, we hope to have the opportunity to work with the education program that Pura Vida provides in the area. 

Click the link below for more details about our trip to Guatemala!