Cadiz mission team to serve at Give Kids The World Village

This April, 40 youth and adult members from The Presbyterian Church of Cadiz and the surrounding community will embark on a five-day mission trip to Give Kids The World Village in Kissimmee, Florida, a nonprofit resort that provides weeklong, cost-free vacations for children with critical illnesses and their families.

Departing April 15, the group will spend its time serving families from across the world who are visiting the village through partnerships with organizations like the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Their work will include serving meals, delivering gifts, assisting in the Castle of Miracles, operating rides, scooping ice cream and helping create moments of joy and respite for children and their caregivers.

Founded by Henri Landwirth, a Holocaust survivor who dedicated his life to hospitality and service, Give Kids The World Village has become a place many describe as “where happiness inspires hope.” Each year, thousands of families facing unimaginable medical challenges are welcomed into a storybook setting designed to give them time away from hospitals and treatments — and the chance to simply be together.

For this group, however, the mission is deeply personal.

The trip is being made in honor of Monroe, a beloved child whose life and legacy continue to inspire a spirit of faith, service and compassion within the church and community. Returning to Give Kids The World Village is, for many, a sacred act — a way to walk again in a place that held meaning in Monroe’s journey and to carry her light forward.

“Monroe’s life taught us what it means to live with a servant’s heart — to turn hardship into faith, faith into action, and action into purpose,” said members of the group. “Going back to this special place allows us to honor her in a way that brings joy to others.”

Monroe’s connection to The Presbyterian Church of Cadiz was central to her story, and it is through that same faith community that her legacy continues to grow. This mission trip reflects her impact, and the church’s ongoing commitment to living out its faith through service.

As the group prepares to travel, members invite the broader community to be part of the mission in three meaningful ways: through prayer for safe travels and open hearts, by learning more about the work of Give Kids The World Village, and by considering future opportunities to serve or support families facing critical illness.

“This is more than a trip,” Monroe's mom said. “It’s a continuation of a story — one rooted in love, resilience and the belief that even in the hardest circumstances, joy can still be found and shared.”

For more information about Give Kids The World Village or how to get involved, visit its official website or follow the journey of the mission team through updates from The Presbyterian Church of Cadiz.