One Week Left!

Thank you family and friends who came to our Commissioning Mass today. We had a great time seeing everyone while our excitement grows before we leave on July 5 and return on July 13. Each participant is looking forward to sharing their stories with all of you when they return. Thank you again for all of your support. It means the world to us and is a great help to the Damien House. God Bless!

The 2014 Ecuador Mission Team

The Excitement Grows

I'm excited to go to Ecuador to see sister Annie again. She really inspired me when I met her at my school in the fall. I admire all of the work she does and I can't wait to meet the patients she loves so dearly.

Marissa V.

Marissa's Reflection

Ever since last summer when my friends, Mary Claire Connor and Lizzie Piet, went to Ecuador through St. Joseph Parish, I couldn't wait to actually take part in the experience myself. I immediately began to research the trip and became more and more fascinated with their mission to help those who have Hansen's disease formerly known as leprosy. As July 5th nears, I am most excited to focus on living in the moment and being one with myself and God. I also am excited to return and share my stories with others so that they can have as wonderful of an experience as I hope to have.

Marissa Firlie

Alex's Reflection

With the departure for Ecuador approaching, I find myself becoming filled with excitement and anticipation. I look forward to the trip as an opportunity to do some good for the less-fortunate people in our world and to branch out from my comfortable place in society. I also see the trip as a chance to reconnect with God and to become a better Christian through service. However, it is the mystery of the trip that excites me. With this year being my first on the trip, I don’t know what new experiences and encounters I might find in Guayaquil. The anticipation of discovering and experiencing new things is a major source of my excitement over the mission. However, no matter what challenges and surprises we may find in Guayaquil, I am sure that our team will be able to push through and truly make a difference in the lives of the patients at Damien House. That is why this trip is important to me.

Alex

Andrea's Reflection

I am so excited to be going to Ecuador again this year, especially as a student leader. Going there last year really changed my perspective on what's important. I never realized that we lived in such a materialistic society until I went to Ecuador. The first day I visited Damien House, the patients had a banner to welcome us and they were all so friendly. They didn't even know us, yet they showered us with kindness. It made me realize that surrounding yourself with wonderful people is what really matters and that God has put us on this earth for a reason. If you spend your life trying to get the newest phone or the most expensive pair of shoes, you are wasting God's gift. I'm so honored to be returning to Ecuador and to continue to help the patients through cleaning, playing card games with them, and even just listening to them, regardless of the language barrier. God Bless.

Andrea

Thanks!

We wanted to send out a HUGE thank you to everyone who has helped in our fundraising efforts! We are all very excited to be traveling to Ecuador in less than a month. Thank you for all of your support and God Bless.

The 2014 Ecuador Mission Team

Meredith's Thoughts

It is very exciting to think that this time next month we will be in Ecuador. I am really looking forward to meeting all the patients and serving at Damien House. All of our hard work during the last few months with our fundraising efforts and other activities is finally coming together. Despite being a little hesitant about being so far away from home without my family, I know I will have an incredible experience with the rest of our group in July.

Meredith