Common Ground

Every year, at least the women in the group go to the Merced to visit Bella Esperanza. Bella Esperanza is a hair salon that our very own Angie Fuentes started. It was & is her vision to reach out to the prostitutes in Christ’s love by building relationships with them. What better way than having a hair salon. Groups from North Carolina actually help build the salon by putting up walls, painting – even installing sinks! Since Angie is with us now, it is under the direction of her friend Betsy.

Amazing things have been happening recently, as first 8, and then another 7 women left the sex trade. The girls have been taught a new trade – making jewelry. Last year when we visited, the jewelry making business was housed in the back of the salon and we were able to meet with the first 8 women and hear some of their stories.

Briana, Paige, Kayla & Laura organizing

As more women joined the jewelry making business, it took over the entire salon. Hair cutting stations were taken apart and room was made for the ladies to make their jewelry. Because the staff was so busy with the jewelry business, the salon and meeting new girls was put to the side. Now, the jewelry making has moved to another location and the salon was empty. So we were given a task – put the salon back into order so that the work of building relationships with more girls could begin.

I have to say, I was so proud of our little group. With very little direction, we put the salon back into order – everyone doing their part. And then some of our group went out with Angie and Betsy to talk with the girls out on the street and invite them to lunch. We were not sure if they would come or not – but three of them did. These girls were hungry and had no money to buy lunch. In reality, they make very little money, and what they do make goes to their ‘boss’. Angie and Betsy spoke with them and told them how much God loved them. They were invited to come back to the safety of Bella Esperanza to rest and eat again.

The finished product

Can I say how out of my comfort zone to think about sitting at a table and eating lunch with prostitutes? And yet we did – and it is hard to describe how we could find common ground with these women. They were young – as one of the younger gals in our group remarked – her age. Young enough to be my daughters. Being with them made me realize that I make assumptions about why women are prostitutes and why they continue in that life style. I want to think that they are ‘bad’ , but really? What if I were in their shoes? Could I really say I would refuse to do what they have done? Especially before I knew Christ? In many cases, it is not a choice they made, but a lifestyle that was forced upon them. A lifestyle that they cannot leave for various reasons. Slavery. Not an easy thing to see. But really – they are just women – like me. Hurt. Rejected. Insecure. Just trying to make life work.

As I go about my life at home – I want to remember this. I want to remember that there are many forms of slavery. In the U.S., our slavery is usually hidden – or at least looks ‘better’. It may be financial, emotional or spiritual. It is slavery nonetheless. I make assumptions about why a person acts the way they do – and most of the time I am wrong. I would be much better off to assume we have common ground and to find it.

Oh – if you are interested in the lovely jewelry these ladies make, the organization is called Nunayu.

 You can find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Nunay%C3%BA-481127285377829/

My Future Belongs To Me

Do you really think what you are doing matters? 

This is a well-meaning question that I often get from friends when I tell them that I am going on another short-term mission trip. 

I am not angry when I am asked this question because I get it.  When you look at Mexico City, Uganda, or El Salvador, it is easy to get overwhelmed by the need. For example, according to UNICEF, more than half of Uganda's children live in poverty.  This doesn't just mean that they live in a household with low income but it includes being deprived of basic necessities such as food, shelter, clean water and education. 

When I recently took a trip to Uganda with Fields of Dreams Uganda, I was overwhelmed by the need that I observed.  For every child that we assisted by paying school fees, many others still could not afford an education.  Even if we could help the children stay in school, many of the children are starving and go the entire day without food.  If the children are in school and have some food, they may be abused at home, or they may not even have a home and live at the school. 

At times, when I only saw what was right in front of me, I felt overwhelmed and wanted to give up.  However, serving on short term mission trips and serving on the Board of Directors of Fields of Dreams Uganda have taught me that progress is  slow and takes time and dedication, but much progress is being made. 

If we go into an environment and try to "fix" every issue, we will quickly burn out and lose hope, but if we focus on the individuals that are impacted by our work, that is where true progress is observed.

When I was in Gulu, Uganda, I briefly met a young man and we connected.  We chatted for a few minutes, and I gave him a picture of my family that had my contact information on the back.  This was in late February.

Just this week, I received a message from this young man through Facebook.  Somehow, despite having no electricity or running water, he was able to gain internet access.  He had kept the picture that I gave him, and he messaged me. He told me he is studying hard to reach his dreams.  Then he asked how his brothers and sister in the USA are doing.  He specifically mentioned each of my children by name.

In that moment, I knew the answer to the question, "Do you really think what you are doing matters?"  My trip to Uganda may not matter to the country of Uganda, or even the town of Gulu.  But when I just showed up at one school and met one boy, I mattered so much to him that he cherished a picture of my family for months.  He held onto my contact information until he could find a way to contact me.  

If my trip meant nothing to anyone else, it mattered to this boy.  This boy who has dreams and hope.  I matter to him. 

Isn't that all that really matters?  When you read about Jesus and his ministry, most of Jesus' miracles focused on the individual.  Sure, he preached to the masses, but when he healed, he healed the individual.  He didn't ride into town and end hunger.  He didn't eradicate leprosy and disease.  Jesus met the need of the individual that he was with at that moment.  If someone needed food, he fed the individual.  If someone needed healing, he healed the individual. 

We are not called to save the world or solve the world's problems.  We are called to just show up. And when we just show up, our job is to be present in the moment and love the people that stand before us. 

Skeptics may say that we have done nothing that matters, but if you talk to the boy in Gulu that I am messaging daily, I think he would say otherwise.  I think he would tell you that just by showing up, he knows that someone cares. Someone loves him.  It gives him hope.

For more reflections by Beth Gianopulos, check out www.PWLawyerMom.org

Heart Check at the Children's Home

This year was my 3rd trip to Mexico.  Each year we help at the Salvation Orphanage Home.

The first year I visited, our arrival was greeted as if we were Santa Claus. ALL of the kids were in the lobby to see us, climbing on guys, hugging us. They were starved for affection. Any time we had free time and were sitting in the lobby, you could bet that we each had 2 or 3 kids on our laps or sitting around us. There were no people other than the staff at the home except for our group. Other people who had been on the trip before told me it was like this every year.

That same year, the home was put under the direction of Captain Luis. Captain Luis is a man of vision. People from our group who had been to the home in previous years said there was a difference in the atmosphere of the home that year.

The second year I went, the kids were plenty excited to see us – but not quite as much as the year before. One day a lady from a local church was there tutoring some kids. And a taekwon-do instructor came a couple of times a week to give classes to ALL of the kids. There were musical instruments and band practice. The kids called the Captain “Cappy” and you could tell they truly liked him.

This year, we arrived while the kids were on summer vacation, so the home was not as full as usual. (Some of the children still have family and are able to go home on weekends and vacations.) But the kids there - well, they were happy to see us. But they were not starving for affection and attention. They had something planned almost every day we were there – field trips, service trips, etc. While we were there another large group came and entertained the kids. Many of them were dressed as clowns and did funny routines.

I know that the kids still need us, but not like before. We no longer are the highlight of their year. This is awesome, right? These kids are being fed emotionally, physically and spiritually – all year long.

But can I be brutally honest? It was kind of disappointing. It feels good to be the highlight of someone’s year, never mind an entire orphanage. And so, while the realization was that these kids don’t need us like they did is a wonderful thing, but kind of its kind of bittersweet. It made me look at why I go on these trips. Is it really to help others – or is it to make myself feel good – about myself?? Truthfully, I’m not sure I have the complete answer. But maybe this is the advantage of going to the same place multiple times. We get to see things change and grow, knowing we helped along the way. And maybe, just maybe God uses this to remind us that He works through others to rebuild, restore & renovate.

Later I will share more lessons from my trip to Mexico City.  

Tugging at my heart

I keep having to remind myself that I can't fix everything ...

And for someone who likes to put the pieces together to make things work even if it is sometimes an odd way to do it, that can be frustrating,

But it is frustrating with a dose of hope sprinkled in ...

Seeing students hungry that first day at a school tugged on my heart. I know how it is for me to focus on and learn anything when I am hungry (I can always tell when my daughter is hungry too ... her personality seems to change).  I see this to a degree in the students I teach each day ... although there is really no comparison.

The sprinkle of hope is that there is already the beginning of a plan to meet that need!  Solving problems like this can't be done by one person or group working in isolation. I have a feeling the cooperation, creativity, communication, and critical thinking will all come in to play in addressing this need.

I was already thinking of ways that I could continue doing art parties like I did to raise money for my trip to a little.

But it can't be done alone ...

Then on days 2 and 3, I found another issue that tugged at my heart ...

(That seems to be a theme for me this week ...)

On day 2, we met and talked with a groups of girls about the things that could prevent them from coming to school. The thought of not being able to afford school fees was repeated a number of times. On day 3, we heard the same thing from the parents.

The sprinkle of hope for me was that these students and parents saw the importance of education and wanted to be able to come to school. Beth Gianopolus shared with us that her group on day 2 talked not only about the difficulties students have but also about the joys they have.  We got to hear about the joys both students and parents have on day 3.  Education, friends at school, reading, and Fields of Dreams were just a few of the joys that stood out to me. That made my heart smile!

Although I know I can't tackle solving the problem of school fees myself, I do know that there is something I can do!  I can make a monthly contribution to the Fields of Dreams scholarship program.

And you know it may not be much, but it could make the difference for one student!

I may not be able to fix everything, but for me this trip has reinforced how important it is for me to be a Woman of Substance and do my part in helping others!

Spring Fling!!!!

Join us for our inaugural Project Re:3 Spring Fling! All proceeds from this event will go to our upcoming mission trip to Pine Ridge, SD.

Saturday, April 9th from 10am until 2pm
1474 Kerner Road, Kernersville, NC

- Local crafters, direct sale representatives, and baked goods for sale!
- Lots of children’s games, free face-painting and activities!
- Spring Mini Photo Sessions (by appointment only)! Sign-up for a 15 minute mini-session! You will receive 3 edited images sent to you via e-mail and all rights to photos from one of our photographers. $25.00 per session. Photos will be taken outside at a spring scene. Sign-ups are on a first come, first serve basis.
- Lunch! We will be serving Indian tacos, drinks, and baked goods!

To sign-up for a photo session or if you’re interested in being a vendor, contact Lauren Reel at dancejust4kicks@yahoo.com or 336-409-0705 for more information!

Volunteering at Winston-Salem's Overflow Homeless Shelter

Are you looking for a way to give back to the community and serve the less fortunate?  Do you want to find an activity that you can participate in with your entire family?  If so, then volunteering with the Overflow Homeless Shelter in Winston-Salem may be for you!

Project:Re3 has been volunteering at the Overflow Shelter in Winston-Salem.  On Monday, my family volunteered at the shelter at Redeemer Presbyterian Church.  My husband and I volunteered along with our three kids (ages 12, 10 and 5).  We also volunteered with some of my coworkers.  

We served as "meal volunteers."  Meal volunteers arrive at 7:45 pm at the appropriate location (a number of churches across Winston-Salem serve as overflow shelter locations). Meal volunteers are asked to bring a healthy meal, drinks, plates, napkins and eating utensils.  We brought pizza and cookies, but the men at the shelter also love home cooked meals like baked lasagna, fried chicken, and chili.  Redeemer Presbyterian was decorated for Christmas, and we set the table and set up the food before the men arrived.  

Some members of our group were also check-in volunteers.  Check-in volunteers are also at the shelter from 7:45 pm until 9 pm.  At the shelter location, each guest is assigned a bin. The bins have sheets and pillows.  When the guests receive their bin, they take the sheets and pillows, and they place their personal belongings in the bin for the night.  The check-in volunteers help coordinate handing out the bins and help lay out the mats, which are pictured above.  

When the guests arrived, we served them food and drinks.  After the guests received their food, we sat and talked to them.  Volunteers are invited to stay and fellowship with the guests at the shelter until lights out. I met a number of the guests and listened to their stories. Some of the guests simply talked about their favorite foods.  Other guests shared prayer requests and told me more about their past.  Two of the guests touched my heart, and I look forward to getting to know them as we continue to volunteer this winter. 

After all of the guests had eaten, we cleaned up and left around 8:45 pm.

If you have the time, another need at the shelters is for overnight volunteers.  Overnight volunteers serve from 9 pm until 6:30 am.  Two volunteers are needed.  One volunteer stays awake to monitor while the other volunteer sleeps.  Then the volunteers can alternate shifts. 

If you would like to help, but do not have the opportunity to serve, the shelters also need blessing bags.  Blessing bags contain essential items for the guests, such as toothbrushes and toothpaste.  A detailed list of items needed can be found here.  

If you are interested in serving or learning more about the overflow shelters, you can get information here.  

Fields of Dreams Uganda Hygiene Kit Drive

As we approach Christmas, we are also approaching the annual Fields of Dreams hygiene kit drive. A group of five of us from Project:Re3 will be traveling to Uganda to distribute the hygiene kits in February. We would love it if you would consider sharing this with your friends or donating to this cause here.

In Uganda, girls face unique challenges as they strive to achieve their dreams.  Did you know many Ugandan girls miss up to 20% of school because they don't have the necessary sanitary supplies for their monthly cycles? Fields of Dreams Uganda strives to ensure that no girl falls behind in the classroom or on the field by equipping each of the mature girls in our 10 partner schools with a hygiene kit.  Fields of Dreams Uganda purchases these hygiene kits from AFRIpads, a local Ugandan social enterprise employed by a workforce made up of 90% women, that creates cloth pads/hygiene kits which are eco-friendly, cost-effective, and sustainable (for up to one year).

It is the hope of our organization to distribute 2,500 hygiene kits during the 2016 calendar year. We will distribute these kits at our 10 partner schools, through friendly matches in the communities we operate, and through a Hope Cup Soccer Tournament that is open to any teams throughout Uganda. Do to our generous and passionate donors, 1,200 kits have already been accounted for over the 2015 calendar year. This is in large part to a substantial grant received from the Raymond B. Preston Family Foundation specifically for our hygiene kits. This leaves our goal for our Holiday Hygiene Drive of raising enough support to purchase the remaining 1,300 kits at a cost of $22,120.

During the distribution of our hygiene kits our Ugandan staff have seen multiple changes on our partner campuses. The attendance rates have improved on our partner campuses (at Bungatira Primary School alone, 100 girls returned to school because of these life-changing kits), the cleanliness of the dormitories and school grounds has increased, the school drop-out rates have decreased, the hygiene kits have opened up conversations about other health topics on the campuses and have helped to build trust between our Ugandan staff and the girls that we are serving.

While distributing these life-changing hygiene kits, the girls receiving these items are also empowered through girl empowerment workshops on character, self-defense training, sexual assault prevention, and anti-trafficking education. The courage of these young girls has also helped spearhead a character and integrity training for the young men at our partner schools to stop any future perpetrators, and create a more comfortable and safe learning environment for these future leaders of Uganda. 

*Fields of Dreams Uganda was awarded the 2014 International Sport for Health Award by Beyond Sport for its Girl Empowerment Program.

What's In The Kit:At just $17 the purchase of a hygiene kit ensures that each girl can attend classes and train on the soccer field by equipping them with the following:

             5 washable, durable pads

             2 Pad Storage Bags

             2 Large Bars of Soap

             1 Wash Basin

             1 Drying Rack

             3 Pair of Underwear           

             1 Kit Storage Bag

             And most importantly a new sense of dignity and self-respect!

Kit Distribution:                                                                               

Laroo Primary School (Northern Region) = 267 kits needed                                           

Pageya Primary School (Northern Region) = 201 kits needed

Koro Primary School (Northern Region) = 159 kits needed

Gulu PTC Demonstration Primary School (Northern Region) = 178 kits needed                                   Bungatira Primary School (Northern Region) = 279 kits needed           

Wakiso Children’s School of Hope (Central Region) = 156 kits needed                                                     New Kabaale Busega (Central Region) = 133 kits needed

Vision For Africa (Central Region) = 104 kits needed

Humble United Methodist School (Central Region) = 123 kits needed

St. Kazito Primary School (Central Region) = 125 kits needed

If our goal of $22,120 is exceeded, all additional proceeds will be used towards our Girl Empowerment Program including our soccer and educational programming at our partner schools. With the focus of the majority of these funds being used to build new and clean changing rooms at our partner schools in Northern Uganda.

And I could not get it out of my mind ...

I have been on a mission trip before ...

But not since I was a teenager ...

I have been overseas before ...

But not since I was a teenager ...

I have been enjoying attending Project: Re3 ...

But I felt like something was missing (and it is not being a teenager) ...

One Sunday, I heard Beth G. talk about the Girls Empowerment Trip to Uganda ...

And I could not get it out of my mind!

So I said that I wanted to go ...

Before I even knew much about it ...

But the more I have explored and learned, the more I want to go!

I am truly a teacher at heart and strive to help others explore possibilities for learning. My passion is all about building people up and helping them achieve things they never thought possible. That is why the mission and vision of theFields of Dreams Uganda organization appeals to me so much:

·         Mission: The mission of Fields of Uganda, Inc. is to provide hope for the orphaned and vulnerable children of Uganda through the vehicles of soccer and education.

·         Vision: We envision communities in Uganda where orphans and vulnerable children can reach their full potential as compassionate human beings

From the Fields of Dreams Uganda website:

In Uganda, girls face unique challenges as they strive to achieve their dreams. Fields of Dreams Uganda is proud to offer creative and empowering programming to help bring those dreams within reach. An investment in the girls of Uganda will go a long way in impacting the communities where these girls live, and in turn the nation of Uganda as a whole. Supporting this initiative ensures the following benefits for one girl enrolled in one of our nine partner campuses:

·         A hygiene kit to ensure that each girl can attend classes and train for soccer during their monthly cycles

·         Coaching that ensures confidence building and life skills training

·         Educational guidance and counseling services from our highly skilled Education Advocates along with DREAMS training

·         Access to FoDU soccer programming, tournaments, and training

·         The reassurance that their life matters, and they have a purpose

Here is the part that hooked me: When girls in Uganda get old enough to have their monthly cycles, they stop going to school for that week each month because they don't have anything to prevent them from messing up their dresses.

That time away from education and opportunities impacts their future!

That is why I am going on a Girls Empowerment Trip!

Our group will be involved in the distribution of hygiene kits and girl empowerment workshops at all nine partner schools.

Here is a great video about the Girls Empowerment Project from the Field of Dreams Uganda website:

 

Be on the lookout for ways you can support our trip, both through fundraisers and specific prayer opportunities!

Pine Ridge, South Dakota Mission Trip

I have wanted to write this post for a while, but it has been too painful.  Shortly after we returned from our Pine Ridge mission trip, my dear friend and mentor, Father Robert McGee ("Father Bob") died.  Father Bob loved Native American stories and traditions, and I spent the mission trip texting him about our adventures and promising to share pictures and stories when I returned. Because he fell ill so quickly, I was never able to share the stories of our time in Pine Ridge.  This has saddened me, and it has been painful to reflect on the trip without thinking about how much he would have loved the ministry that we participated in.

The Pine Ridge mission trip was nothing short of amazing.  A group of 35 of us flew out of Charlotte and arrived in Omaha Nebraska.

We then rented 9 cars and made the 7-8 hour drive to Pine Ridge, SD.  Along the way, two cars had tire problems.  God blessed us because the flat tire and low tire pressure happened at a service station. For those of you that are familiar with the long stretches of nothing (except corn fields and pastures), you realize what a blessing this was.

We arrived in Pine Ridge late at night during a pow wow. We were met with heavy traffic, people riding horses down the street, and what looked like a huge carnival around us.

We had a huge number of first time mission trip participants!

 This trip was great for all ages - we had children (ages 10 and 11).  Because this was a family trip, Mike, Jacob, and Mary Etta were able to participate as three generations on this trip.

This trip exemplified Project:Re3's values - we renovated homes, rebuilt trust, & restored hope.

The primary purpose of this trip was to renovate homes. Many of the homes were in extreme disrepair.  We were tasked with painting the homes and making small repairs.  It was amazing to see the difference that a few repairs and a coat of paint could make.  One of the hardest parts was only having the time and supplies to paint and make small repairs.  Many of the homes desperately need a new roof, some need new siding, and some homes flood due to holes in the siding.

We also rebuilt trust.  The house that we worked on belonged to Cornell and Clover.  Cornell shared stories with us about his family.  One day, Cornell told me that his father went to a "Christian" school.  The school punished his father and washed his mouth out with soap if he spoke Lakota.  Cornell said, "and these were Christians that did this too him."  It is no wonder that when we first arrived, many of the people were slow to open up to us.  However, by the end of the week, the residents of each home were eating lunch with us, participating in our devotions, and sharing parts of their culture and history with us.

We visited the memorial for the Massacre of Wounded Knee.  This helped our group better understand our complicated history.

By midweek, Cornell and Clover were visiting with us each day.  

Finally, we restored hope.  One of the homes that our group worked on had a lot of trash around the house.  After the group spent a few days painting, the family was so excited that they stayed up until 2 am cleaning up their yard.  They told our group that they wanted the yard and outside of the home to look as nice as the house would look after it was painted.  It was moving to know that a week of work and some simple repairs on a home could restore pride and hope.

There are too many stories of the wonderful people to share.  I encourage you to talk to people that went on the trip and hear their stories.  I will try to share a few stories of people that touched me.  In the home pictured below, 15-19 people live in this small space.  The house has not had running water for a year.  The only form of transportation for this family was a horse.  The children adored our group, and the family, despite having no water and little food, wanted to thank us by making skillet bread for everyone.

The family prepared skillet bread for everyone.

Cornell and Clover had no food.  When we arrived at their home, one of the doors had a large board over it.  Cornell and Clover were robbed, and all that was taken was food.  Food is very expensive, so our group drove over an hour one way to the nearest Walmart (which is not on the reservation).  We purchased food for Clover and Cornell.  Shortly after we gave them the food, we saw people coming in and walking out with food.  Although Cornell and Clover had no food, they shared the food that we gave them with their family and neighbors.  

We filled the trunk with food.

We also had the pleasure of meeting Granny.  Granny has lost one leg due to diabetes, and is the community grandmother.  She is very talented at quilting.  Granny supports herself and her family by making quilts and selling them.  

If you are interested in helping, Project:Re3 is committed to long term assistance for the Community of Allen in Pine Ridge, South Dakota.  Some immediate ways that you can help:
1.  Fuel is very expensive.  Many people take advantage of the people on the reservation by raising prices to the point that fuel is not an option to heat their homes.  The land is open grassland, so there is no wood to burn.  The temperatures are extreme - 90 degrees in the summer and 30 below zero in the winter.  Snow may be 12 feet high in the winter.  Many people told us that they had to sit in their car with their small children to stay warm.  Some families had to burn old cloths and shoes to heat their home.  Project:Re3 has an arrangement with an oil company that we trust.  We have paid to have fuel delivered to families.  If you are interested in doing this, you can send a check to Project:Re3, with "Pine Ridge - Fuel" in the memo line.
2.  Project:Re3 will be returning to Allen, which is the small town on the Pine Ridge reservation where we worked.  We hope to do more than one week of trips this summer.  We hope to do more difficult projects, such as roof repairs.  You can join us on a trip or help with the supplies and support the trip financially.
3.  Granny needs people to purchase her beautiful quilts and she needs fabric.  From time to time, we are sending donations of fabric.  My friend's group, Women Embark, took up fabric collections to send to Granny.  Granny also takes orders and will do custom quilts, so if you are interested, let us know.
4.  Due to the harsh winters, the people need coats and blankets.  We will be collecting gently used or new coats and blankets.  However, shipping is very expensive.  We are requesting that people enclose a small donation with the donated coats and blankets to help cover shipping costs.

Stop Hunger Now Event at River Landing

This weekend, River Landing at Sandy Ridge (this is where Project:Re3 currently meets), sponsored a Stop Hunger Now event.  On Saturday, over 200 volunteers came together.  The volunteers were from River Landing, from Project:Re3 and the community.  The volunteers packaged 100,000 meals!

This event was fun for all ages, and the community spirit and spirit of service was contagious. Children as young as 4 were helping, and residents that live at River Landing packaged meals.

 Stop Hunger Now meal packaging events are a volunteer-based program that coordinates the streamlined packaging of highly nutritious dehydrated meals comprised of rice, soy, vegetables, flavoring, and 21 essential vitamins and minerals.  Founded in 1998, Stop Hunger Now has delivered aid and disaster relief supplies in the form of food, medical supplies, clothing, school supplies, and more to thousands of disaster victims and other hungry and vulnerable people in 65 countries.

  

Each meal costs $.25 to make.  Tax-deductible donations can be made through Stop Hunger Now’s website by clicking here. 

All ages volunteered.  

 

Short Term Mission Trips for 2015 Announced! Let us know if you are interested!

ProjectRe3 is thrilled to announce our upcoming mission trips for 2015.  All are invited to travel with us.  Each trip will be capped at 15 people.  

1) Guatemala

March 7-14
More info coming soon!

http://www.hopeforhome.org/

Approx. Cost: $800

2) Mexico City

May 23rd-29th 

Approx. Cost: $800

Does traveling to a foreign country, working with orphans and abandoned women, and serving in the most dangerous neighborhood in the largest city in the world either excite you or scare you to death? If you said yes to either of those then this trip is for you!

3) Charleston, SC

July 5th-9th
Preteen (10-12)

Cost: $250

http://groupmissiontrips.com/week-of-hope/locations/charleston,-sc/

Our preteens will join a community that is the proud home to numerous churches and organizations that are intertwined with city life and share a passion for making a difference in people’s lives. You’ll be inspired as you hear the stories and meet the people who serve in these amazing organizations that are helping orphans, assisting teen moms, providing resources to under-served families, or using basketball to reach at-risk kids.

4) Southern Pines, NC 

July 19th-25th
Youth Work Camp (Middle & High School)

Cost: $450

http://groupmissiontrips.com/workcamps/locations/southern-pines,-nc/

You can make a real difference in Pinehurst this summer. Bring new hope to an elderly woman whose husband passed away years ago. Break through the hopelessness of a single mother with five children and a home she cannot maintain. Bring a smile to the faces of a family whose father has been struggling to find work in the hospitality industry, just to make minimum wage and survive.

5) Pine Ridge, SD

July or August TBD 

Approx. Cost: $750

Allen, SD has been called “the poorest city in the United States”. Located in the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation just south of the Badlands, Allen is a town time forgot. Join us as we help bring hope to a community in desperate need.

6) Uganda

September 10th-21st
More info coming soon!

Approx. Cost: $3000

http://www.fieldsofdreamsuganda.org/