MEET THE MISSIONARIES: 2019
Fred Miller
Hometown: Phoenix, AZ
School: Lourdes University
Major: English, Marketing and Business Administration
How I found out about the trip: My home parish, Most Holy Trinity
What I'm anticipating to receive from this experience:
I look forward to a rich experience that allows me to broaden my perspective as a growing individual and expand in my understanding of how I can best help and learn from people of different backgrounds.
WHAT I'M MOST EXCITED ABOUT:
I am most excited to learn about the cultural identity and perspectives of the people of Belize, and hope to use this to change how I perceive and act in the world.
Carlena Lim
Hometown: Thornton, CO
School: University of Nevada Las Vegas
Major: Hospitality Management
How I found out about the trip:
I found out about the trip through a close friend (who's going on the trip too!).
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What I'm anticipating to receive from this experience:
I am anticipating deepening my relationship with Christ through the works of this mission trip. I hope I can also grow in humility, gratitude, and understanding for God's call in my life.
WHAT I'M MOST EXCITED ABOUT:
I am most excited to spend time with the people in Belize, my fellow peers, and the missionaries of SOLT. I can't wait to experience the new culture and grow in faith and charity with the community!
Nick Sears
Hometown: Springfield, MA
School: UMass Amherst
Major: Finance and Sport Management
How I found out about the trip: My neighbor Michael Downey spent a long time volunteering in Belize and caught my attention when he tagged me in a video about the trip.
What I'm anticipating to receive from this experience:
Throughout my life, I have learned the immense value of putting faith into action. I am looking forward for a chance to step outside of my normal life and hopefully use the gifts God has given me to help others.
WHAT I'M MOST EXCITED ABOUT:
I am very excited to meet and grow with people who have God at the center of their lives. As a graduating senior, I am excited for more clarity on God's purpose for my life, which I believe will come from this trip.
Kelsey Leyba
Hometown: Thornton, Colorado
School: University of Colorado Boulder
Major: Environmental Design
How I found out about the trip: SEEK 2019
What I'm anticipating to receive from this experience:
Learning more about my faith and growing closer to God by encountering Him through serving the people of Belize.
WHAT I'M MOST EXCITED ABOUT:
Being immersed in the Belizean culture and creating new relationships with the missionaries, the religious brothers and sisters, and those we will serve.
Deidra Lies
Hometown: Fargo, North Dakota
School: North Dakota State University
Major: Environmental and Conservation Science
How I found out about the trip: SOLT Vocations Office and website
What I'm anticipating to receive from this experience:
An encounter with Christ through His people - both SOLT members and the Belizean community they serve
WHAT I'M MOST EXCITED ABOUT:
A chance for exchange of service and friendship with those of a different culture
Lauryn Arvizo
Hometown: Albuquerque, New Mexico
School: Central Community College of New Mexico
Major: Psychology
How I found out about the trip:
Family Friend Recommendations & Social Media
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What I'm anticipating to receive from this experience:
I am anticipating to receive a deeper love for Christ and grow in my relationship with Him by serving His people.
WHAT I'M MOST EXCITED ABOUT: I am most excited about being able to serve all those in Belize, to be able to start this new experience and this adventure that God has called me to go on. But mostly becoming the hands and feet of Christ.
Iran Villanueva
Hometown: Kansas City, KS
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How I found out about the trip: My friend Kimberly, tagged me on post about the Belize Mission Trip from the SOLT Facebook page
What I'm anticipating to receive from this experience:
To encounter Christ through my mission companions and those we serve or encounter. To find what God desires from me.
WHAT I'M MOST EXCITED ABOUT:
To finally get to meet those whom we will be helping and teaching.
Jeffrey Lin
Hometown: Chatham, NJ
School: Rutgers University
Major: Marketing
How I found out about the trip: Through a priest close to SOLT who I'm friends with.
What I'm anticipating to receive from this experience:
An exciting and once in a lifetime trip that will allow me to connect closely with God in a completely new environment.
WHAT I'M MOST EXCITED ABOUT:
A totally new and unique environment that I have yet to experience in my life.
Andrew Kanne
Hometown: Naperville, IL
School: University of Kansas
Major: Management and Leadership
How I found out about the trip: I found out about the tip while talking to SOLT priests at SEEK 2019
What I'm anticipating to receive from this experience:
I am anticipating to receive the opportunity to see more of God’s creation and have the chance to encounter the Lord in the people that we will serve!
WHAT I'M MOST EXCITED ABOUT:
I’m excited to see what life is like in a SOLT community and spend time in prayer and service with like-minded peers!
Sydney Isom
Hometown: Upper Marlboro
School: Ave Maria University
Major: Marketing and Health Science
How I found out about the trip: I was walking to my dorm room and there was info flyer on the bulletin board on my floor. I applied immediately!
What I'm anticipating to receive from this experience:
I hope to discover more about my vocation. I am really looking forward to see what God is going to call me to grow in during this trip in order to better serve His children.
WHAT I'M MOST EXCITED ABOUT:
To work with children and spread the good news!!
Kjia Meduna
Hometown: Wahoo, NE
School: Benedictine College
Major: Accounting and Finance
How I found out about the trip: I found out about this trip from my Spiritual Director, Father Mark, who is also leading the trip.
What I'm anticipating to receive from this experience:
I am anticipating to receive greater detachment from this experience and to only grow in focus on the Lord's love.
WHAT I'M MOST EXCITED ABOUT:
I am most excited to serve alongside those who were also accepted to serve on this mission trip and to foster a deep sense of community between us all. I also cannot wait to pour myself to those who I will be serving and radiate Our Father's love to those around me.
Alia Cerda
Hometown: Lubbock, Texas
School: Angelo State University
Major: Exercise Sports & Science
How I found out about the trip: SEEK 2019
What I'm anticipating to receive from this experience:
Growing closer to the heart of Jesus by having my heart stretched to love more in spiritual and corporal works of mercy.
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WHAT I'M MOST EXCITED ABOUT:
I am most excited to meet the people of Belize and fall in love with them in a quick amount of time and see what magnificent things the Holy Spirit has in store for each individual on this trip.
Carina Schmid
Hometown: Boulder, CO
School: University of Colorado Boulder
Major: Business Operations Management
How I found out about the trip: SEEK 2019
What I'm anticipating to receive from this experience:
I am hoping to experience serving those in need in a very authentic way while growing in deeper relationship with our Lord.
WHAT I'M MOST EXCITED ABOUT:
I am most excited to get to serve on mission in a variety of ways! I am excited to work with children because that is something I always enjoy, and I'm also excited to bring food and even more so love to the poor.
