The Spirit of Mission

Deacon Pat and Liz Kearns

How it all Began

San Lucas Tolíman

A small town high in the Guatemalan Mountains

Lake Atitlán

The Mission

The Village (San Andres)

Meeting 100 Families without a home

The Next Year – We returned!

We worked hard during the days

So did the Girls!

TIRED!!!

But each afternoon - We sat on the porch for hours with René

He opened our eyes

Friends, Family, Love, Happiness, Faith

We learned about the people

Real Poverty doesn’t have to mean sadness….

As long as God is near!

How they live

Simplicity

Making tortillas to sell

Chimney

Typical Kitchen, no exhaust / chimney

We began to make friends

Friends

Building relationships

We learned that life can be hard

Gaining an understanding

That all must help and pitch in.

Sharing in their lives

Everyone has something to contribute no matter the size or ability.

No washing machine for us.

We learned to be thankful for the small things in life.

Andréas taught us about plantation life

Experiencing Church differently

The Children

We learned a different perspective

We were changed by the experience and needed to share what we had learned.

Seminarian Josh, Deacons Pat and Rick

Changed by Guatemala

Sharing our Faith

Physical poverty - A deep spirituality

It is in the giving without expecting anything in return that creates an inner joy and

fulfillment that nothing else in the world can replace.

Now that our children are grown, we feel called to serve in a special way.

Bolivia

Yapakaní, Bolivia

Mary Help of Christians Parish

Serving in the villages

Bringing Jesus to the rural communities

Helping the Sisters make home visits

Helping to educate the children

Sports – Ministry of “Presence”

Instilling Hope for a better tomorrow

Sharing God’s Love

Saturday Oratory - 700-900 kids

Hope and Joy

Teaching life lessons

How can you help?

Maybe a small donation

• A one-time donation, or• A small monthly donation

Or through Our Lady of Mercy Parish Office

How a “One-Time Donation” can help.

1. Required Immunizations (Yellow Fever , Malaria, Tetanus, etc.) 2. Flights to NYC for required training (July 23- Aug 15)

3. Flights to Guatemala and then to Bolivia 4. Two months of Language (Spanish) School

How a small “Monthly Donation” can help.

Buying shoes for the shoeless Giving food when there is none

We are hoping to establish a small fund that can be used as needed for:

Helping with medical care

Building stoves

And in so many other ways…..

Sometimes just a little can save a life

Thank you for helping us to serve others

You make this possible for us