MEET THE MISSIONARIES: 2018

Micah Ventura

Hometown: Skokie, Illinois

School: St. Joseph College Seminary @ Loyola University Chicago

Major: Philosophy

How I found out about the trip:

David Brokke reached out to me via social media.

What I'm anticipating to receive from this experience:

I am anticipating to receive a better understanding of where the Lord is calling me to serve his people.

WHAT I'M MOST EXCITED ABOUT:

I am most excited about being able to serve and experience life outside of the United States.

Cynthia Lopez

Hometown: Tucson, Arizona

School: Northern Arizona University

Major: Elementary Education and Spanish

How I found out about the trip:

When I came back from winter break my Newman Center had posted a flyer for the trip on the bulletin board and I signed up immediately.

What I'm anticipating to receive from this experience:

I am anticipating to receive a deeper relationship with Christ by serving his children in Belize. I hope to be able to use the gifts the Lord has given me to be able to be His hands and feet here on earth.

WHAT I'M MOST EXCITED ABOUT:

I am most excited about being able to evangelize in Spanish, and with Latinos who share the same heritage!

Jack Kessler

Hometown: Killingworth, Connecticut

School: University of Notre Dame

Major: Philosophy and Mathematics

How I found out about the trip:

Friend of the family

What I'm anticipating to receive from this experience:

A deeper sense of the Church's evangelical mission and my own role in it

WHAT I'M MOST EXCITED ABOUT:

Learning more about SOLT's mission and activities

Rikki Martinez

Hometown: Corpus Christi, Texas

School: Jefferson College of Health Sciences

Major: Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing

How I found out about the trip:

Family Friend

What I'm anticipating to receive from this experience:

Insight into global community needs and a greater sense of humility and appreciation for the things I have been blessed with in my lifetime.

WHAT I'M MOST EXCITED ABOUT:

Meeting new people and getting to experience a new culture.

Claire Jackson

Hometown: Kansas City, Missouri

School: Kansas City Metropolitan Community-College

Major: Elementary Education

How I found out about the trip:

A Friend

What I'm anticipating to receive from this experience:

I hope to receive a greater ability to love and give! I also hope to receive joy, that I know can only be found in totally giving of yourself as Christ did for us!

WHAT I'M MOST EXCITED ABOUT:

I’m excited to travel to a new country and meet new people and I look forward to serving in whatever way I am needed! I’m excited for all that awaits me in Belize... whatever that may be!

Andrew Collart

Hometown: Covington, Georgia

School: University of Dallas

Major: Philosophy

How I found out about the trip:

I had often heard about the missions down in Belize from various people I know who have served there, and then Fr. Mark Wendling planted the seed for this trip when he came to visit the University of Dallas last Fall.

What I'm anticipating to receive from this experience:

First of all, I would love to get to know the people of Belize. Fr. Jim Blount, SOLT, who I’ve had the privilege of knowing, used to be stationed in Belize and I have always admired what he says of the people and their culture. I very much hope that I can be of service to the people there and show solidarity with them from the United States! Additionally, I am discerning what God would like for me to do with my life and I think that serving is a great way to discern how God wants one to love with one’s life.

WHAT I'M MOST EXCITED ABOUT:

I'm most excited about meeting the people in Belize!

Mattie Jackson

Hometown: Oxford, Alabama

School: University of South Alabama

Major: Secondary Education and English

How I found out about the trip:

My good friend Emma Zanotelli went on the trip a few years ago and she told me how amazing it was and I was looking into mission trips and decided this trip was the one I wanted to go on.

What I'm anticipating to receive from this experience:

Learning how to meet Christ in everyday life.

WHAT I'M MOST EXCITED ABOUT: Spending time with the Sisters!

Horacio Bautista

Hometown: Detroit, Michigan

School: Henry Ford College

Major: Business

How I found out about the trip:

Through Br. Dave a seminarian from my parish

What I'm anticipating to receive from this experience:

I’m looking forward to grow in faith through the experience and see what God has planned for me on this trip.

WHAT I'M MOST EXCITED ABOUT:

I am most excited about working along side with everyone else that’ll be attending the trip and helping out people in any way that I can on the trip.