Sophia Steinhauer has always known that she wanted to travel and impact communities around the world. After graduating from Solanco High School in 2020, she embarked on her first mission trip to Paraguay. "I've always felt called to travel to other countries and connect with the communities," Steinhauer said. "I love traveling, God and people. People are so interesting to me, and connecting with them is my favorite aspect of it. Visiting other countries and meeting new people on a greater scale gives a great perspective of the world."

Upon returning to Lancaster after her first mission trip, Steinhauer spent six months working as a barista at Latte Luv in Strasburg and starting to plan her next adventure. She set her sights again on South America, where she had fallen in love with the culture on her previous trip. "I felt a huge connection to the culture (in South America). It's lively and colorful, and I've always resonated with its freedom of expression," Steinhauer said. "I knew I wanted to go back and give myself the right tools for individual ministry."

On Sept. 15, Steinhauer will leave for Costa Rica to attend a seven-month program through MissionGo's Atlas Travel and Study Abroad program. The program will entail four hours of Spanish learning and four hours of Bible study during weekdays, and weekends will be dedicated to working in the community and focusing on participants' area of interest. Steinhauer wishes to work with women escaping abuse and build relationships in the community. To raise funds for her travels, Steinhauer designed and sold custom tote bags, adorned with coffee-related imagery and floral patterns.

Atlas Travel and Study Abroad coordinates educational trips to Costa Rica, partnering with Christian youth groups, high schools and colleges to assist participants with the logistics of traveling. The organization manages housing, food and transportation for students and provides direction and hands-on experience in their areas of interest.

In addition to her ambition for mission work, Steinhauer has a strong passion for coffee and the surrounding culture, and she has worked at several cafes in Strasburg. Once she returns from Costa Rica, she plans to attend college to pursue a degree in either business or cultural studies to equip her with the tools needed to open her own coffee shop. "I would love to be able to move to a place where coffee is grown and open my own cafe; it's such a craft, and I want to combine it with impacting the community," Steinhauer said.

For more information on MissionGo and Atlas Travel and Study Abroad, visit http://www.missiongo.org.