Mission Trip to Papua New Guinea!

Hello friends and family! 

First of all, I would just like to thank you for taking the time to learn more about what I think is an amazing opportunity to share the love you have already given to me. The more and more I learn about the Salesians and all the lives they have been able to touch in just the past century, the more the fire in my heart burns to love as fully as God made my heart to. 

As I mention in the video, the Salesians are a religious group of men and women who are commited to the service of the young, especially those who are cast aside and forgotten. Saint Don Bosco and Saint Dominic Savio have been long time role models for me, and in my own life I have strived to love as they did. I am so gratfeul for the opportunity to be a part of the Salesian family as a lay missioner, and they have welcomed me with loving arms into their mission. 
With great joy, I'm excited to let you all know that the mission will be fully funded by the Order, yet they require me to purchase my plane ticket over to the site to begin with by the end of this year. By the time I come back to the States next winter, they will have refunded the entire mission, and I hope to get the money that you donate back to you.  Moreover, any money raised above the goal will go directly to one of the projects that the Salesians are working on, from a new source of clean water, to building whole schools, your money will not be wasted.
The school in Papua New Guinea, VUNABSCO, is a Secondary Agro-Technical School for those who have dropped out of the public school system. Papua New Guinea as a nation, and in turn the education department, is one of the newest international governments in the world, and is one of the fastest developing nations in our time. Education has never been more important, and even more so, making sure that no one is left behind. Everyone deserves an opportunity to learn. And I will hopefully be blessed to be a part of that growth as a teacher, a mentor, and a friend. 
Though from a religious organization, my mission is not to "save" those in Papua New Guinea, but to love them, live with them, know them, and most importantly, let myself be loved and known. I have met so many good and wonderful people in my life. My family grows everyday. I wish to be part of theirs, and I hope and pray that the mission will be blessed with peace and overwhelming joy.