My name is Jasmine and I am a member of Catholic Campus Ministry at Virginia Commonwealth University. This summer I have the amazing opportunity to volunteer with Catholic Mission Trips, Inc., on the Summer Program Team with Catholic Mission Trips where I have been prayed into the position of a junior staff member. This summer I am looking forward to joining other staff members of Catholic Mission Trips, Inc., to run mission trips for high school youth throughout the U.S. and in Central America. We will be serving the church in Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, California, Kentucky, Belize, Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic. We will be serving with approximately 800 teens, on about 27 mission trips. This means from May 16th-August 1st I will be traveling the United States, and possibly internationally, depending on how much I am able to raise. In addition to serving God’s people by feeding the hungry, visiting the sick, and laboring for the poor, we also share God’s Word and message of love to the youth groups that come each week.
As a staff member, I, with a group of about 4 other staff members, am responsible for running week-long mission trips for incoming groups. We coordinate all of the logistics for meals, housing, work projects, and supplies, coordinate schedules, witness at the evening program, and build a Catholic community through prayer. I look forward to not only seeing the face of Christ in those whom we serve but also by the work of God in the transformation of the hearts of the youth who come to serve.
My goal is to raise at least $3,500 by May 16, or $100 from 35 people. While being the only Catholic in my family has proven to have immense blessings in itself, it can be quite a challenge to raise money from my family who are atheists and agnostics…this is why my main support will be from parishes and donors like you! As of 4/29/18, the Lord has provided me with $776.15 and I’m praying that you will allow for Him to work through you with a donation.Please help me reach that goal by being one of the 35 to donate $100. If you cannot make this kind of commitment, please make a smaller donation. The $3500 will be used to provide my transportation, housing and food for the summer, as well contributing to my stipend over the summer. More information can be found here: http://catholicmissiontrips.net.You can make your tax-deductible donation payable to Catholic Mission Trips, Inc. or donate online at http://catholicmissiontrips.net/meet-the-staff or at https://www.givesendgo.com/CMTJColes. There are many ways you can donate, so if you rather donate directly to the organization instead of donating online, then please contact me for more information (below).
I realize that you may be unable to contribute financially at this time, but I am also asking for your prayers and prayer requests. Throughout the summer I will be sending letters from the field to my sponsors, highlighting our progress and how God is present during the missions, thanks to your support and the work of the volunteers. Remember, God will not be outdone in generosity. Thank you in advance for your support. Without the generosity of sponsors like you, homes and chapels would not be built, and hearts would not be stirred.
Most importantly, I ask that if you have time to say 1 Hail Mary for myself as well as all of the staff members at Catholic Mission Trips, then I know the Lord will provide another way! Please call me with your prayer requests, or if you have any questions about Catholic Mission Trips, Inc. I can be reached at 804-366-4153 or via email at colesjl2@vcu.edu . Thank you so much for your help and prayers.
In Him,
Jasmine
