Heading to the Philippines

I am writing to let you know of an exciting adventure that I am going to be a part of this coming summer. On June 8th I will be co-leading a mission trip for 15 high school students to the Philippines. During our time in the Philippines we will spend time ministering to homeless and abandoned children by bringing them food and connecting them to Frontline Ministry. Frontline Ministry is a Christian shelter/orphanage where children can live and receive housing, education, medical assistance and most importantly a second chance at life. Each day, tens of thousands of homeless and abandoned children live on the streets in the Philippines; some street children are as young as three years old. On the streets, these children are subject to poverty, hunger, mal- nutrition, minimal health and dental care, disease, drug abuse, and all kinds of physical and sexual abuse. Many of the girls find themselves forced into prostitution both locally and in foreign countries. It is my hope that by being a part of this team, I will have the ability to make a difference in the lives of the children by helping get them out of streets and into a loving orphanage that will give them the support they deserve. It is also my hope that by serving in this capacity, I will be able to work with 15 incredible high school students from Aurora, Romeoville, Naperville, and Oswego and lead them through a life changing opportunity to serve the children of the Philippines. Aside from the opportunity they will have during the trip itself, I hope to instill a heart for service that will encourage them to find ways to serve locally when they return and on future mission opportunities.

Mission trips have been an important part of my personal journey. I believe that because of the experiences I have been a part of in Mexico, Africa, Haiti, and locally in Aurora, I have developed a heart of service and a greater sense of the world in which we live. I really believe that this mission trip is going to lay a similar foundation in the lives of these students. I would like to ask you to join our team in being a part of the experience by praying for the following things;

• Pray for the team as they continue fundraising for the trip
• Pray for the student's on the trip as they begin to prepare their hearts for the experience
• Pray for the team in the Philippines as they prepare for our arrival.

I can't wait to keep you updated as we get closer to the event!