South Africa mission 2025

the trip

This fall, Limitless Church & Academy is sending a missions team to South Africa in partnership with LoVE (Lily of the Valley Endeavor), a nonprofit that supports children who have been orphaned, abused or neglected. Click ‘Home’ above to learn more about LoVE.

We’ll be serving at iKhethelo and Lily of the Valley Children’s Villages, leading daily activities, games, and meaningful lessons to connect with the kids. In addition to working directly with the kids, we are bringing 4 Grief Recovery certified specialists to provide training for the House Moms and staff. Our team will also help with any work around the villages, and support community development efforts.

Another exciting opportunity we have is to engage in the massive relocation project for Lily in order to get the children to be safer location with more opportunity for their futures.

The trip cost is approximately $3,000 per person and includes travel, meals, lodging, supplies and gifts for the children’s villages. This will be a powerful opportunity to share God’s love in action while learning from the resilience, joy, and beauty of the children and communities we serve.

Why Missions?

For several years, LoVE chose not to host mission trips, concerned they might cause too much disruption for the children. However, after prayerful consideration, the on-the-ground managers and LoVE Board have concluded that mission trips are vital for the kids, the villages, and LoVE as a whole. The children thrive on the connections formed—not just during the visit, but through the ongoing relationships that follow—especially since LoVE is so hands-on and grassroots. These trips also inspire participants to partner with LoVE long-term, fueling our mission to rescue and raise world changers who will break the orphan and poverty cycle for their generation.

Donate to the team here

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Meet our team.

  • Kristin Conway

    Kristin is a gifted teacher with a natural ability to make every child feel valued and loved. Her warmth and creativity shine in the way she engages with kids, meeting them right where they are. On this trip, she will be part of the team working directly with the children at the village - bringing fun activities, interactive lessons, and exciting games that spark joy and encourage learning. Kristin’s heart is to not only entertain, but to inspire each child with a sense of hope, belonging, and possibility.

    Donate to Kristin

  • Sandi Derby

    Sandi has a deep passion for helping hearts heal. On this trip, she will bring her expertise in Grief Recovery to the house moms and staff - many of whom have faced profound loss while caring for children who have endured deep trauma. Her heart is to walk alongside them, offering tools, understanding, and hope to help process grief and continue their vital work with renewed strength. She will also spend time with the children - building trust, sharing joy, and creating moments that show they are deeply loved and never forgotten.

    Donate to Sandi

  • Seth Dahl

    Seth has a passion for seeing children thrive. On this trip, he will share his experience equipping parents and caregivers, he will also use his certification as a Grief Recovery specialist. These tools will be a great support to the house moms and staff who pour themselves out daily for these kids. His heart is to encourage them as they continue their vital work with renewed joy. He will also spend quality time with the children - many of whom have been orphaned, abused, or abandoned - offering the gift of presence, compassion, and genuine connection.

    Donate to Seth

  • Summer Thurman

    Summer is a passionate teacher with a special gift for nurturing young children through creativity and play. With a background in early childhood development, she understands the power of engaging activities to help children learn, grow, and feel secure. On this trip, Summer will be working directly with the youngest kids at the village - bringing fun, hands-on lessons, imaginative games, and activities that spark curiosity and joy. Her heart is to create safe, loving spaces where each child feels seen, valued, and excited to discover the world around them.

    Donate to Summer

  • Zoë Scileppi

    Zoe has a passion for music and songwriting, a love she shares with so many children in South Africa. As a teacher for upper elementary students, she brings creativity, energy, and a gift for connecting with kids in ways that inspire them. On this trip, she will combine her love for music with her teaching skills to lead activities, workshops, and fun, interactive experiences that encourage creativity and self-expression. Her heart is to help each child discover the joy of making music while building confidence and lasting memories.

    Donate to Zoë

  • The Thornbury Family

    The Thornbury family is heading to South Africa to carry on the legacy of LoVE’s founder, Sharon Clack - known to them as Mom and Nana. Tirsha, now LoVE’s President, and Cody felt led to take their kids to connect with the place that has shaped their family’s story and meet the children they sponsor. On the ground, they will use their gifts as pastors and teachers to serve alongside the staff and kids through encouragement, teaching, and hands-on ministry. Most of all, they want their children to be part of all that God is doing in and through LoVE.

    Donate to the Thornburys