Trip of a Lifetime with True Meaning
When Integrity Fencing owners Shawn and Christina Beard spent their honeymoon in the Guanacaste province of Costa Rica last year they had no idea they would be returning to the same place in 2024. They loved the area and once back in the states they inquired about visiting for mission work and found that Praying Pelican Missions already had a relationship in place with the church in Sardinal. Shawn and Christina’s church, Red Rocks Church, regularly partners with Praying Pelican Missions.
Fast forward to February 2024 and as part of their commitment to Red Rocks Church, Shawn and Christina returned to Sardinal, Costa Rica, embarking on a mission trip with others. Red Rocks Church partnered with Praying Pelican Missions to connect with Iglesia Biblica el Manantial in Sardinal and provide food to families, youth sports camps, construction projects, and spreading the message of the mission. Praying Pelican Missions provides the local guides and interpreters for the trip.
The days were long (often starting at 7:00am and ending with a debrief at 11:00pm), and involved long drives, hard work, and long hours. But the time spent was incredibly rewarding to the team.
The group helped by providing the following to the community of Sardinal:
- Church construction project: re-tiling the sanctuary floor
- Food purchase and distribution to 21 families
- Quality time spent with the families during food distribution
- Youth sports camps
- Crafting and self-care with the matriarchs of the families, giving them time to themselves while the children participated in camp
- Facilitated the local patriarchs preparing food and serving their wives and families for the evening
- Hosting men’s evenings focused on connecting specifically with the men of the families
- Sunday morning children’s church
“The most rewarding part of the trip was experiencing the unity within the team. Everyone was in their right heart,” says Shawn Beard, “It was really cool that we were all one accord. Plus, there were younger people in the group and we could see the change in them afterwards. No one comes back the same from a mission, they are forever changed. It was inspiring to see that.”
~ Shawn Beard
“We went there to serve them but in reality, they really served us. The church was so hospitable and welcoming. It was truly a pleasure and a blessing to be able to come alongside the community to serve and build relationships!”
~ Christina Beard
A Fencing Company that Gives Back to the Community
Shawn applies lessons from the mission to his work at Integrity Fencing. His mantra for his team is that it’s “all about relationships”, and his theme for 2024 is “no regrets”. Shawn motivates his team for the work they do through this mindset; furthering the efforts at Integrity Fencing.
Integrity Fencing is committed to donating a percentage of all service profits to various nonprofit organizations in the Denver Metro area. The company donated over $100,000 to non profits and churches in 2023.
Shawn says, “It’s our way of thanking the community for doing business with us.”
