Gifts and Graces in July

At the end of July we returned from yet another lovely grace filled Love is the Mission Trip to Playa de Oro, where we went to serve and give of ourselves and the gifts that the Lord has given us. After each trip we ask for some of our participants to share about their experience. Below are those.

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10

As I sit here reflecting on my time with the Love is the Mission group, I feel that this quote perfectly describes the past week we spent serving at Playa de Oro. As I left the village for the last time and said goodbye to the precious children, I couldn’t help but feel such an overwhelming sense of gratitude, appreciation and love for this community of people I had just met for the first time just days earlier.

As that quote says above, we went there to use our gifts to help others while spreading the word of God. This was one of our driving forces with this mission, to serve the families with our service, gifts and love.

As I reflect more on the quote and my time at the Playa de Oro, I can confidently say that the open arms, love, kindness and gratitude the children gave me was the greatest gift I could ever ask for. This past week I was served in more ways that I can describe from the interactions I had with the kids.

Throughout these past few years, I have had many struggles and one of those being my faith. I personally had never considered going on a mission trip, but an opportunity presented itself and I felt that it was a sign from God. With lots of prayer and consideration, this felt like the perfect opportunity to help me grow in my faith and as a person. Looking back on the months leading up to this trip, I was extremely nervous. Traveling to a new country with many unknowns at a young age and not knowing anyone was definitely scary, but I felt pulled by something higher than myself to go on this mission.

Thinking back on traveling to a country with a group of 16 people I had just met, I could have never imagined the bond that could be created. But we experienced so much together and I will be forever grateful for everyone, their kindness, laughs and memories. 

As we traveled to the village the nerves were building. I wasn’t sure what the kids would think of me. But I quickly realized, the children would forever leave an imprint on my heart and forever change my life. I will always remember as we entered the village, honking our bus horn, we were welcomed with so many children with open arms and smiles. As soon as we got off the bus, hugs were given all around. It didn’t matter that they had never met us, we were instantly loved and adored.

The joy in these kids' hearts is something I will never forget. Even though we did not speak the same language, we found a way to communicate and bond.

It is evident the amount of work that has gone into this mission and the success and relationships they have built along the way. 

As I am leaving this trip, I have a new found perspective on life and have come back a changed person. I am so extremely grateful for this opportunity and the many doors it has opened for me. The Playa de Oro community and the children will forever hold a very special place in my heart. 

Maddy

Love is the mission:

Priests often talk about their calling from God especially in their sermons. I really do not feel that I have known or remember that I was called by God in the past, but I do remember sitting in Mass and reading the bulletin about the next love is the mission trip earlier this year and feeling that I definitely knew I had to and wanted to go.

I was finally in a better work environment where I was able to take this time off and felt that I could have the time, ability and passion to mission to others. I love my career in the medical field, but experienced severe burnout with the covid epidemic.

Now that I have more time to practice self-care that includes my spiritual health, I knew that I was able to share my life mission of caring for people through a mission trip that included medical assistance. I talked to my husband right after mass and he supported me as he always does.

It was a rewarding experience in many ways. I was able to enjoy daily mass that deepened my faith and I hope to continue that in same way now that I am home. I especially appreciated connecting with and learning from Father Dan during the trip and feel blessed that he was part of the mission.

I always joke that my patience is a work in progress. When you surround yourself with like-minded people with the attributes you strive for, you learn and thrive. I enjoyed getting to know my fellow missioners and always learn something from every person I meet including the villagers young and old. We all had unique attributes and worked together to create positive things and experiences for the village in different ways.

It was rewarding to be the person to do that as well as watching other missioners do that and feel their joy and satisfaction in helping others. That being said, because I left the ground running and returned to the ground running the fast-paced American style, it is also very tiring so I feel I am just getting back to feeling like I am caught up. Thank you for making me feel included in the mission, Heather

My experience in Playa De Oro was like nothing I’ve ever done before. I went in with an open mind and heart and boy was I blown away with the kindness and gratitude I received. . While I was able to share God’s love with the kids and the village and help them, I gained so much more in return. The residents were so welcoming. I instantly felt connected and comfortable - and loved all the hugs!

I am so thankful for the opportunity to witness the beauty God created while doing what I can to help. Watching the kids get excited over socks with grips on the bottom at Sky Zone and watching them laugh and have fun in puddles after the rain are some of the simple things we take for granted that made me smile so much during my week in Guatemala.

I will definitely be returning in the future and look forward to seeing the children’s faces when the bus pulls into the village again! If God is calling you to experience the love the village has to offer, and to share yours with the people, I highly encourage making the trip to Playa De Oro. The people will change your life.

Miranda and Adam

This Love is the Mission Guatemala Trip has taught me more than I could’ve ever expected going in to it. But I can for certain say that all of the fundraising and the challenges that came with it for prep was outweighed tremendously by the overwhelming positivity.

Going down the first day I could sense the excitement that we all had. And stepping into the village was one joy I will never forget.

I’ll never forget the joy of the kids that have so little running about and being reckless. The way they live in such tranquility makes you reflect in a way not possible if it weren’t for this time away.

It brings in to your perspective values of yourself and how to improve as a person, whether it be from taking things for granted, seeing joy in little things, or just learning how to love, I can assure that anybody who goes on this journey will no doubt come out a infinitely better and more well rounded person.

Realizing that this mission trip was not only the most fun I’ve had in years but also the educational aspect makes your heart fill with hope. This trip shows how important it is to love on every level, how to make others feel joy and how to achieve it yourself.

To put it simply the trip to Guatemala was certainly a blessing for my faith, love, and heart. I can surely say that going is sure to be recommend for the out-right joys that come with the journey. Surely something I hope to embark on again in the future, Aedan

My Love is the Mission trip to Guatemala was not only an opportunity to help others but it also helped me to understand what I was lacking and how to improve my life. I learned to slow down and love the person in front of me. I usually don't give my full attention to people.

This mission trip showed me the reward that comes with having a real connection with people. The people of Guatemala have a lot more struggles than I do but they have better connections with people, and I believe this is why they radiate joy. While working with the children I saw the excitement they received when you had the patience to help them one on one and gave them your full attention.

I learned that true wealth isn’t in material possessions but with the connections that we have with others. From this trip moving forward I will try to be less preoccupied with my own schedule and ambitions while I’m with others and love the person in front of me, Mike

Love is the mission and as you can see the gifts and graces that we go to give, we get back double, even triple fold in return! In Him who first loved us, Rhonda 1 John 4:19

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Sorpresa!

This past week, my mom and I took a quick (too quick) trip to Playa de Oro, to surprise the students with a gift from my Alma mater, Bishop O Gorman Catholic Schools! It seems like such a small thing to us, but these children having their own lunch trays is huge. They have not been served lunch in school before. This year when the program started in February, they had to bring their own containers to eat out of.

Of course, the trip was not just to surprise the children with this gift, that was the bonus, but we had some business to take care of as well as we begin to plan the building of the San Miguel Center in Playa de Oro.

We had some practical things, like opening a bank account and meetings about the land and construction, but even more importantly we needed to know from the families, what is their desire for our on going presence in the village? See, we never want to go in and say, here let us do this for you, because this is what we want or feel you need, but we ask what do you desire for your community and how can we assist in that.

The common answer to that question was assisting in the education of their children. And that is exactly what we were hoping the answer would be. Education in the village is limited and has not always been a priority and for some, it is still not and that is ok too, but to hear that same answer from many was very promising.

As we continue this journey towards the San Miguel Center, pray with us through the intercession of Mother St Frances Xavier Cabrini, that we too may persevere in our desire to be resourceful, to find people who would donate much needed in support and labor and have faith that if it is of God's will our prayers will be answered!

Witness statements from those who were there!

We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And this fellowship of ours is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ. We write these things so that our joy may be complete.  1 John 1:3-4

There are a few words that can describe the feelings associated with one of these mission trips to Guatemala.  It was soul-renewing, humbling, and inspiring. I worried that it could never be as good as the first time I went 4 years ago. I was wrong and I trust it will only get better every time as I see the progress that the ‘Love is the Mission’ people are making. Playa de Oro now has clean water available, monthly food supplies to over 100 families, children getting additional education beyond what their families and village can provide and most importantly, hope. The work this mission does is not just feel good work to come home and talk about to make ourselves feel better.

I was fortunate to help serve 140 patients in our medical clinic. While we can only offer so much with limited resources, they are so appreciative of the care. We are really starting to build up the clinic clientele and trust within the village. I think the clinic will only continue to grow as we have more providers willing to serve every 6 months to a year.

Love is the Mission is in this village for the long haul to change the future of these children and it’s working, and it’s amazing. I am blessed to have been invited to be a part of this and I remain in awe of the generosity, devotion and persistence that St Michael Parish under the direction of my sister-in-law, Rhonda Kelsey and niece, Taylor Klubben have for this beautiful mission they have created. Thank you for allowing my friends and I to be a part of it. We can’t wait to go back!   Love is the Mission~el amor es la mission  Kala Shepherd, CNP Chamberlain, SD

This week has been nothing short of life-changing. After six years of praying and planning to visit Playa de Oro, God answered my prayers. I left the U.S. with an open heart and the intent on finding my love for mission work and the church again. Wow, did I leave with so much more! No one can truly explain the conversion within one’s self the work here creates, but I know I will forever be changed for the better. Earning the title of Mi Amiga, was one of the biggest blessings I received this week. Playa de Oro and all of its beautiful people will be a part of my heart forever. It is impossible to forget a blessing from God.  No es un adios, es un te veo pronto.  Corina Arnett St Michael

On an impulse, I said yes to going on this mission trip to Play de Oro when I heard they were looking for nurses. Not knowing what to expect, it was a journey to work with new made friends as a group and to meeting the special people of Guatemala.

Sometimes in our lives we need reminders that lives can impact others in the smallest jesters of love and hope -especially in children. Children absorb all things around them because they are hungry for learning and attention from coloring pictures, playing soccer and even braiding hair. A hug and smile went a long way, but the special people who had helped with interpretations made it a whole complete circle, especially during medical clinic times.

Someone asked me recently would I go back again? And I would have to say yes in a heartbeat-especially to check on my new friend Carlos! And to see all the radiant smiles from the children!!!   Thank you Rhonda for including me with St. Michael’s mission to Guatemala-thank you Father Dan for your daily mass/prayers throughout the trip.    Margarita Mary

What a blessing and an honor it was to serve on the January 2024 Love is the Mission tour! I went into the trip with the thought of being of service in a nursing role to support the clinic operation, knowing there was more to the trip than medical care. However, I could not have been prepared to witness the incredible things happening in Playa de Oro, directly resulting from the work of Love is the Mission, and the St. Michael’s parish.

It is evident that the success of the mission is obtained through the constant support provided by the mission and faith of the village that the help will return. Personally seeing the living conditions and the food insecurities made the monthly food distribution day such an emotional experience. Even the kids helped with the unloading of the trucks. Seeing the stacks of food and supplies allotted for the month was truly humbling. Your donations to this program are life changing for these families! And they are so grateful!

I am so excited to begin to participate in the student scholarship program as well! While some of the children go to work after they complete the “elementary school” program, several of the kids are so excited to be able to continue their education. What an amazing opportunity to support the dreams and ambitions of these students!

Heavy on my heart is the prayer for the future of the mission. The dreams that Love is the Mission has for these children is incredibly inspiring. Plans for an after school/health center is so exciting! Our clinic served over 140 individuals for a variety of concerns, including general well checks for children. The clean water project has played such an important part in the overall health of the children and community, and that was apparent during the assessment of the children.

I pray that I return to Guatemala soon with Love is the Mission. I am truly honored to have been a part of a group doing the work of God. Megan Perrman

I would like to start out by saying "Thank You" for allowing my husband Greg and I to be a part of our first Mission Trip with "Love is the Mission".

What Rhonda and her past teams and St Michael's have been doing for the Village of Playa de Oro is so appreciated by the families that live there. Their love and trust for her is so evident, It is hard to put into words the feelings of what we experienced.

 I was privileged to be a part of the medical team of which I was so very proud of, in 3 short days we were able to see and treat approx 150 people ranging from infants to elderly people. The relief you would see in young mother's eye's when you would tell them that you were going to be able to help them and their children was indescribable.

There was the joy of seeing all the children interacting with our team playing soccer, playing with the toys that were we brought to them, the vacation bible school lessons, the hair braiding sessions by the children to our team members. They were all so patient with all of us that spoke little or no spanish, not to mention all of the laughter that could be heard amongst the kids young and old, and with the team. It was all so good.

We cannot say enough about our entire team..... From our Wonderful bus driver Romelio, our interpreters, our wonderful cooks, to Father Dan. When it was time to part and go our separate ways there were many tears. If you have ever wondered if this is something God may be calling you to do? Don't wait, sign up now. You will not regret it. Denise and Grey Lynott, Haywarden, IA

I am so grateful for this life-changing service experience to go with St. Michaels Parish on Love is the Mission trip to Playa de Oro, Guatemala.

I saw the extreme poverty these people are living in. We take for granted having clean water and electricity in our homes, having enough food to eat, and having access to a good education and healthcare systems. While we were at the village, we were able to provide care, education, and/or medications to over 140 people at the health clinic; 110 families in the village received monthly food bags funded by St. Michaels parishioners, the grade school children were able to enjoy a zoo trip in Guatemala City and the middle school children enjoyed a trip to Antiqua to zip line and ride ATV’s.

The mission trip in person is a totally different experience emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually than seeing these pictures. Despite not being able to speak much Spanish our interpreters were awesome, and we were able to build meaningful relationships and I felt connected to them and enriched by them.

St. Michael’s Parish is doing some amazing work! I saw firsthand how much we can make a difference in the lives of the people of Playa de Oro. Even one church can do so much to alleviate suffering and give hope. We can all make a difference so I hope you will consider supporting Love is the Mission.

 I would recommend anyone and everyone to travel to Guatemala with Rhonda Kelsey and the Love is the Mission team in sharing the love and hope of Jesus Christ! This mission trip filled my heart with joy and my life with smiles. When I see these people filled with joy with the little, they have, I realized they have the most important thing of all ~ faith in Jesus.   Jolene Hanson, RN, Sioux Falls, SD

Whenever people ask me about our Guatemala mission, they ask what we do there..I have a lot of answers to that question, as what we’ve accomplished over the last 5 1/2 years is multifaceted.

This year we saw 160 patients at our medical clinic and did a food distribution throughout the community. But the one answer that always remains constant and is arguably most important is “love the children.”

These adorable, silly, joyful faces that you see are the reason we keep going back and the reason we have this mission. We come to spend one week playing and laughing and learning with kids that you truly can’t help but love immediately upon meeting. The pure joy experienced throughout this week is immeasurable and it truly is my happiest place el amor es la mission, Taylor Klubben

Our love for others is our grateful response to the love God first demonstrated us.

1 John 4:19