Around the State: ETBU students serve in Costa Rica

Students and faculty from the East Texas Baptist University Teague School of Nursing recently returned from a medical mission trip to Costa Rica, where they served local communities through healthcare clinics and patient education. Led by ETBU Assistant Professors in nursing Kelly Arraf, Britney De La Rosa, and Dayna Davidson, ETBU nursing students partnered with local churches, translators, and healthcare providers to deliver compassionate care in multiple communities. Students assisted with triage, patient education, pharmacy services, and clinical support while gaining firsthand experience in global healthcare missions. Students encountered complex and urgent medical situations that deepened their understanding of the nursing profession and strengthened their reliance on teamwork and faith. Patients arrived with stroke symptoms, severe mental health concerns, and medical complaints that were challenging to address due to limited medications and resources.

Dallas Baptist University’s cross country and track and field team recently served in the Dominican Republic, partnering with Holt’s House of Hope through outreach, worship, and service projects. Student-athletes shared their faith, gave testimonies, built relationships with children through sports and activities, painted homes and community buildings, worshiped with local churches, and celebrated the baptism of teammate Drew McLaughlin. Team members said the five-day trip reinforced their calling to serve as ambassadors for Christ through both competition and ministry.

Hardin-Simmons University is relaunching its annual Speech Language Pathology camp, a long-running program that blends hands-on clinical training for students with meaningful speech therapy support for children across the Big Country. Hosted by Hardin-Simmons University Communication Sciences and Disorders department, the two-week camp is serving about 75 children from Abilene ISD, Wylie ISD, and surrounding districts. Each day, campers work directly with undergraduate and graduate student clinicians to build speech and language skills in a structured, encouraging environment. A standout feature of the camp is its integration of hippotherapy, also known as equine-assisted therapy. Campers visit the university’s horse facilities midweek, where therapy sessions incorporate interaction with horses to promote communication, confidence, and emotional connection.

Wayland Baptist University is partnering with Destiny Sports to host a sports camp June 29-July 1 on its Plainview campus for children entering kindergarten through fifth grade. The camp will offer instruction in baseball and softball, basketball, cheer, football, soccer, and volleyball, while also incorporating Bible-based lessons and character development. Donnie Brown, executive director of spiritual life, said the partnership reflects the university’s commitment to helping children grow physically, socially, and spiritually in a fun and encouraging environment.