Jessica Duncan and the 2012 Memphis Misson Trip

 Jessica Duncan, Helias Catholic High School, Class of 2013

Memphis was my first mission trip.  I was incredibly nervous. I didn't know what to expect.  Mr. Aur had told us we would be working with children at some of the schools.  He also mentioned that what we would see and experience would be unlike anything we've ever been through before.  He was right.

Driving to the schools in the morning, we passed by abandoned houses, homeless wanderers, and children walking to school.  We were far from the wealthy side of Memphis.  As the drive got longer and longer, I wondered what I would see inside the schools, if this was the community the children were coming from.  I needn't have worried.

Barbecue Dinner at CBHS

The first thing I saw at St. Augustine was a smile; a huge, bright smile.  The principal welcomed us into the school, her arms open wide and her smile even wider.  And as I entered the classroom, I saw her smile reflected in the smiles of the students.  They were so glad just to have us there. They willingly offered to share their playtime and activities, as well as an abundance of love. I hadn't realized how much these children, who came from a community that lacked many amenities we take for granted, had to offer.  I also didn't realize how much I myself, a girl from a nice family, a good school, and enough comforts to spare, needed.  I needed their reminder of the simple joy in living, in having a godly life, and sharing everything I had with the world.

Aid Station @ mile 13 of Marathon

The children's lesson was echoed in the St. Jude Marathon.  Many runners took the time and breath to thank us for volunteering, for supporting them.  Even more humbling were the runners who were true heroes fighting for their cause: a father propelling his son in a wheelchair; a man running as a guide for a visually impaired man; a man in a wheelchair propelling himself forward with only the strength of his arms.  These heroes proclaimed their message to work for a higher cause than one's self.

While these major highlights are of a more serious nature, Memphis was extremely fun. From being woken up to rather obnoxious Christmas music to Beale Street, it was a truly memorable experience.  I relished the opportunity to grow stronger in my faith, to grow closer to the classmates I had previously not known, and to see the innocence and joy in the eyes of God's children.  Memphis opened my eyes to all this, and the potential I had not realized I had within myself: the potential to give love and support to those who need it; really, the potential of God.

Aid Station 13: Beale Street

Molly Haslag and the 2012 Memphis Mission Trip

Molly Haslag, Helias Catholic High School, Class of 2013

On the way home from the Memphis mission trip this past Sunday, several of my classmates and I chose to go to Popeye’s for lunch. While there, a few workers noticed our St. Jude Marathon shirts and asked if that’s why we had been in Memphis. As we told them we were on the way home from a mission trip, we received some strange looks. After explaining that mission trips involve us traveling to areas in need to help out the people who live there, I realized that mission trips serve a much greater purpose than just helping out. It’s difficult to understand if you’ve never participated in one, but now after completing my second trip, I feel as if I have learned their true purpose.

Tutoring at St. Patrick

            While reaching out to those in need doesn’t completely sum up a mission trip, it does play a large role. The first two days in Memphis, my classmates and I worked at several different Catholic grade schools located in some of the poorer areas of the city. I was assigned to the kindergarten class at St. Patrick’s School. The students there were the most well-behaved five year olds I have ever met and were so excited to have us visit. At first, I didn’t see how counting to twenty and reading stories to the class helped anyone. It hit me on the second day when I was working specifically with Jordan Cooper to help him memorize which letter was which. It was when he got this huge smile and for the first time correctly identified the letter “I.” That was the moment I knew I had really impacted a child’s life in some small way. I was amazed at how those kids could love me so unconditionally after just two days. I will always remember how grateful they were to be able to attend school, to have food to eat, and to have someone there to love them back. I was truly humbled and so grateful myself for all the wonderful things I have in life.

Working Aid Station @ mile 25 of the marathon

            Another way we reached out was at the St. Jude Marathon on Saturday. This was definitely my favorite part of the entire trip and a day I will never forget. Handing out water cups from eight in the morning until past three in the afternoon didn’t sound too great at first, but as soon as I got to mile marker twenty-five, I could actually see why we were there. We were standing only a few blocks away from the actual hospital and it struck me that we were there for every kid inside so that hopefully one day they can be cancer free. By the time the runners got to where I was, they were dead tired. We cheered them on as we gave them water and encouraged them to keep going. I was astonished when so many of them stopped to personally thank us and tell us how much our being there meant to them. Me? I was only handing out water and these people are running 26.2 miles! The people I met that day are the true heroes and I was honored to just be a part of the cause. The children of St. Jude will forever be in my prayers and I hope one day to go back to the marathon and see them running and saying that they survived.

            Along with helping others, you strengthen your relationships with others on mission trips. I had never met some of the people I went to Memphis with. I can now say that I have so many new friends and have reconnected with some old ones. We all share a special bond of working together to achieve what we set out to do. You also strengthen your relationship with God. On mission trips, students hold prayer services every night and we pray together throughout the day. Being away from all the stress and schedules of everyday life allows you to really connect with God and think about how you can continue to become a better person. During mission trips you find God in all that you do. I saw Him in every kid in my kindergarten class, in every runner and supporter at the marathon, and in every one of my peers working along beside me. Now that I am home, I still feel that strong bond with Him and will work to grow closer to Him still.

Aid Station @ mile 6 of the marathon

            Most importantly, mission trips can change your life when you open yourself up to the opportunity. Before going on my first mission trip to Joplin last year, I wasn’t the best person I could be. I realized after how self absorbed I was and how I wasn’t putting God first in my life. After seeing the people whose homes were destroyed by the tornado, I saw how lucky I am. They didn’t care about their possessions or their money. These individuals were so happy just to be alive and to have their families with them. Their faith in God was so strong and they encouraged me to put my trust in Him as well. In Memphis, I saw the same kind of individuals: people with almost nothing but still such happiness and hope for the future because they believe God watching over them. After seeing all this, I now know God is with me. He will give me strength when I face obstacles and will never leave me. I do believe I am a better person now than I was then and I still look for ways to improve myself.

Bus Ride to Memphis

            Even though I am a senior this year and won’t have the chance to go on anymore Helias mission trips, I do wish to continue doing mission work in my future. Wherever my life leads me, the things I have learned on these trips will forever be in my heart and will give me strength for the road ahead. I thank Mr. Aur and Helias for giving me these first opportunities and opening my eyes to all that I can do for others. God bless all mission trippers and their chaperones and live Jesus in our hearts forever. Amen!

Blogs By My Students

My blog is a very different blog.  Most of the blogs are actually written by my students and my children.  Both  my children, Jonathan and Celina, were my students during their high school years.  What they have to say is probably more interesting than what I have to say.  I believe a blog written by me would not have the same effect a blog written by students would have.  So, I will continue to ask my students to blog and to share their blog.


In my work, I try to lead my students to a higher level of awareness be it spiritual or academic.  I try to help them find out a little more about themselves and maybe who God wants them to be.  All of us have a lot more to offer than we actually do offer.  I try to help them realize how much they have to offer the world and those in need.  Sometimes those needs are big though we all know that most of the time those needs are so small that most people don't even notice.  Mother Teresa once said, "We can not all do big things but small things with great love." Sometimes, all a person needs is a smile, a hello, and a bit of kindness and compassion.

I ask my students to write blogs so they can see for themselves the good they are doing for others.  Also, by writing these blogs, they help themselves realize how those they help are helping them.  It is a vicious beautiful cycle; I help you and you help me.  I heard this in a song today (wish I could remember the song title), "You have to give in order to receive." How true!  We all know this, but we tend to forget which means we need constant reminders about giving.

My students are giving more and more all the time and are coming to the realization that giving is a good thing helping both the giver and receiver.  Many of them are looking for opportunities to serve; the more they serve the better they become.  What I mean by better is they become better people.  They become more compassionate. They have more empathy.  They are willing to sacrifice, take a little less for themselves so others can have more.

They are bright, intelligent, caring, giving, loving, service-minded young people.  So, instead of reading what I have to say, let's see what they have to say.  Hope you enjoy.

God bless you!

Reece West and the 2012 Memphis Mission Trip

Reece West '13

Was I nervous?  Curious?  What was this trip going to open my eyes to?  These are all questions I was pondering over while on the dreary bus ride to inner city Memphis, TN.  I would agree in the fact of excitement being greater than anxiety.  I was ready to experience the world from a different perspective.

When we arrived, we quickly ate and went to bed; yet another sanctum for me to compile emotions about what would happen tomorrow.  I woke up the next morning to the song "I want a hippopotamus for Christmas".... Shoot me... After breakfast the other students as well as teachers/volunteers went off to the other schools in the bus.  I was lucky enough to be selected as a member of the 5th grade class at De La Salle, which is where we stayed.  As soon as the children started showing up I immediately became aware of how this trip was going to affect me.  Complete strangers, these kids...strangers coming up to other strangers, myself/classmates , and hugging us and asking the curious questions that germinate within the grade school mind.  It was almost heartbreaking- in an inspiring way.

Reece at De La Salle @ Blessed Sacrament

After conversing in the gym where the kids first went, I met my teacher, Mr. DB. He introduced me to the class as soon as everyone got situated.  Right off the bat Jibril, Paulo, Ahmed, and Maximino (Max for short) caught my attention.. They could dance, have an educated conversation, and make the class more enjoyable by simply being themselves; their happy selves.  They were funny!  Jibril making funny noises in the back while Paulo and Ahmed were wrestling to answer a math question correctly.  All four students were smart, entertaining, and fun to be around.

Reece tutoring a math student

Besides the work in class, each child gained a special place within me.  They all had special qualities that are worth of recognition.  Max and Ahmed could dance like to tomorrow.  Jibril and Paulo were as smart as I when it came to algebra.  Reisha could tell you what to watch out for in Memphis while carrying the biggest smile on her face.  Mr. DB made the class fun by being easy going; low stress keeps a happy class.... apparently.  Sabrina was an angel, never did anything wrong?? :)  I could go on and on but let's get to the point.

Mission trips are life changing. I can 100% guarantee that you WILL NOT come out the same person that you went in.  Something about going into a Jubilee/Miguel School and seeing things that they deal with and go through.  You learn to relate to them, but not anything  close to the full story.  Coming from a more financially stable family, I saw things that I didn't know went on in kids' lives like that.  Some so destructive, some so positive.  The staff and faculty made it their every day goal to allow these kids at De La Salle to enjoy something about school.  Every single day these kids could show up to school and know that they would be appreciated, that they would be loved in some way, shape, or form.

As a student and as a (recent) mission tripper... I am proud to say that I helped those kids and I gave them someone to look up to; but more importantly I am proud to say that I can look up to them.  It's truly amazing and inspiring.

-Reece West, Helias Class of 2013 and Memphis Mission Tripper

2012 Memphis Mission Trip @ St. Augustine with Fr. Tony Clark

Helias Students Participating in the Rotary Exchange Program & Heart's Home

             Two years ago, two Helias students spent one year studying abroad in Ecuador through the Rotary Exchange Program and one student spent the year doing mission work with Heart's Home in Brazil. This current year, three more Helias students are participating in the Rotary Exchange (Brazil, Ecuador, and Spain). Next year, six Helias students will participate in the Rotary Exchange and two will be doing mission work with Heart's Home. The number of Helias students wanting to study or do mission work overseas before going to college is on the rise. I see this as very positive that our students are wanting to see more, be more, learn more, do more, and grow more. I also like the fact that these young people have the courage to step out of their comfort zone in bettering themselves. I would love to see these young people bring what they've learned and experienced back to the Jefferson City area one day.

The following students have been selected to participate in the Rotary Exchange Program:

Emily Churchill- Brazil: I have always loved to travel to see new things and meet new people.  As I got older, my love for adventure grew not only broader but deeper.  I discovered that what I really want to do at this point in my life is experience something most people don't get the chance to experience.  I want to do my part to break down borders between people in different cultures by traveling across the world and being open to what is thrown at me.  I have always been drawn towards service work, such as the mission trips at Helias, but I would like to take that further and I believe that my participation as a Rotary Youth Exchange Student next year in Brazil could open doors for me to really make a difference in the future.  The teachers and administration at Helias are very supportive of students who express interest in a gap year and I am so thankful that their support helped me apply and eventally get accepted to Rotary.  Helias focuses a lot of energy to get students to serve others through service hours and mission trips.  These opportunities have allowed me to see that anything helps and that when you help someone, the fact that you made one person's life a little better even just for a moment is more than enough reward.  I hope to break down some borders all next year and even more after I return.

Brooke Micke- Peru: I decided to participate in the Rotary Exchange because I wanted to become fluent in Spanish. I plan on entering the medical field and participating in medical missions in South America. I went on a mission trip my sophomore year and fell in love with service. Helias has helped me realize that my purpose in life is to help those who cannot help themselves.

Erin Mills- Ecuador:  Next year, I will spend ten months in Ecuador.  I am extremely excited to able to partake in this amazing opportunity through Rotary Youth Exchange Program.  This program allows students to attend high school in a foreign country, experiencing a new culture, host family, and language.  I will be living in the city of Cuenca which is in the mountains.  I decided to make this exchange after hosting a Swiss exchange student last year.  The experience was so positive and I gained a new friend as sister.  I cannot wait to have an experience of my own abroad, broadening my horizons on a different continent.

Nick Vellios- Belgium:  Ever since I was young, I have wanted to take an exchange trip of some sort. I have always loved to travel, and to learn about other cultures and languages. Mrs. Zeitz and Jessica Hilgedick were the ones who first introduced to me the idea of traveling with the Rotary Club. Jessica, advised by Mrs. Zeitz, took a trip to Switzerland during my sophomore year. Mrs. Zeitz had us write emails to her as part of class, and I quickly became fascinated by, and slightly envious of the experiences she was having. I have always wanted to be fluent in a foriegn language, and when Jessica came back and talked to our class, her French speaking skills had improved at least 1000%. It was at that time that I realized that rotary was the program that I wanted to do my exchange trip with. Also, that year, I started in Mrs. Arthur's spanish class. A very multicultural and diverse program, Mrs. Arthur actively promoted foriegn travel, exchange trips, and above all the rotary exchange program, which she helps coordinate. She eulogized its cheapness, the wonderful experiences people had had, and the new language fluency that they gained during their foreign sojurn. These two Helias teachers are above all what made me decide to do my exchange with the rotary program. Mrs. Zeitz's excellent French program, with all of its speech practice and vocabulary, together with Mrs. Arthur's brilliant grammar teaching method (which helped me with French grammar, as well as Spanish) has made me very confident that I will have few communication problems during my time in Wallonia, Belgium.

Eric Weiler- Spain:  Next school year, I will be a foreign exchange student to the country of Spain.  I do not know where I will be staying in Spain nor with whom.  I am sure that I will live in a beautiful place and live with a wonderful host family.  While on exchange, I hope to visit Barcelona and Mardrid as well as the rest of Europe.  I would especially like to visit Germany and France.  People often ask me why I want to do this.  My response is always- why not?  I get to live in Europe for an entire year!  I will be experiencing a new culture, learning a new language, and meeting friends from all over the world, all while living in one of the most beautiful and culturally rich countries on earth.  Who wouldn't take advantage of an opportunity like that?

Justin White- Colombia:  Next year I will be a Rotary Youth Exchange student in Colombia, South America. People often ask me why I want to be an exchange student.  I am tired of doing the same thing over and over, and just following the normal. I realized last year that I have a desire to do something bigger than myself inside me. Not necessarily to change the world, but to change myself. Right now I live in this sheltered world where everything I could want has been given to me, but I want that to change. I want to be put into a situation that is completely new to me, and to take full control of it to see how it changes me and how I will grow as a person. This, combined with the fact that the world and other cultures has always fascinated me, has led me to choose to take the leap and become an exchange student.  Besides Helias introducing me to Rotary and the entire exchange option via Mrs. Arthur, Helias has helped influence my decision because of the mission trips. The mission trips, although short, have showed me that is is different outside of the world of Jeff City, and has made me want to see it. While I am not serving people in my year abroad, I feel the mission trips are a little taste of what I will experience while abroad.

Two Helias seniors will spend next year serving as missionaries with Heart's Home. Heart’s Home is an international Catholic non-profit orga­ni­za­tion that works to promote  a culture of com­pas­sion around providing intimate, one-on-one support to individuals in some of the most deprived areas of the world.  

Emily Allen- Argentina: I joined Heart's Home because sympathy is no substitute for action. I joined because I have seen so much suffering and it has shattered my heart, and I know pity gets you nowhere and means nothing. I cannot sit here in my warm home with my full stomach and loving family knowing such intense destitution and despair exists. Now that I have heard the agonized cries of the most precious people in the world coming from the darkness, what choice do I have but to go to them? Heart's Home gives me the opportunity to serve these beautiful people in the purest and simplest of ways, by suffering with them and being a presence with Mary at the foot of the Cross. And, I know I am just one person, but that's all anybody ever is, and I know that through me, Jesus can set the world on fire. Helias has played a huge role in shaping who I am today. It was through Helias that I discovered missions and I am thankful for that every day. I can't say what I would be doing now if I had not attended this school, but I know I wouldn't be with Heart's Home. Helias has given me the solid base I need to do God's work in the world.

Celina Aur- Brazil:  Helias has influenced me greatly in choosing to spend my next year devoted to service. Or better said, my dad has influenced me greatly. Mission trips have been my greatest inspiration for fulfilling my call to service, and without my dad, I wouldn’t have the experiences with service and missions that I do. No one would. Also, Helias has provided me, as well as the other students, with a multitude of service opportunities. These opportunities have created a motivation in me to do something greater than myself. That is where I was led to doing mission work. I am very fortunate to have been surrounded by such a spiritually rooted community at Helias. I am also very thankful in knowing that I will have the support of my community during my mission through faith and prayers.

Please keep these young people in your daily prayers.  I'm very proud that they are taking a leap of faith, willing to dream big, and have the courage to follow their dream.

Blessed Theresa of Jesus Gerhardinger...Pray for us!

St. John Baptist de La Salle...Pray for us!

Live Jesus in our hearts...Forever!

Another 2nd Generation Mission Leader Speaks

This blog was written by Stefan Balcer.  Stefan graduated from Helias in 2011 and is a veteran mission tripper.  He was also one of the members of the Helias football team who made it to the Dome twice.  Stefan has also been active with Life Teen.  At the beginning of his senior year, he and Alex Eickhoff were the leaders of the Frosh Camp.  Stefan is a sophomore at Mississippi State University where he is studying to become an architect.

Stefan is on the far right.  This is on the 2011 Memphis Mission where he served as a chaperon.

Missions have become a big part of life. I went on my first mission trip in December of my junior year. I had spent the prior summer with the group that had gone on the Springfield, IL mission trip. I saw how close this group had become over the trip, no matter if they were a freshman or a senior. I can still remember standing in Mr. Aur’s kitchen and telling him that I WAS GOING on the next mission trip, no matter what. I signed up for the Memphis mission trip, and was selected to go. I was nervous going on the trip, because I didn’t really know what to expect and there weren’t many of my friends going. I now realize that it doesn’t matter who you’re with because you are all there for the same reason, to serve. The motto for this trip was “Do something bigger than yourself”. I thought that I had accomplished this by just going on the trip, but I was wrong. Taking this statement to the fullest was being completely selfless and to do everything for others that you could. This trip was the beginning of my service journey. After the completion of trip I was instantly hooked.

Stefan working on a Habitat Home in Springfield, IL

I then went on to participate in the St. Louis trip that coming January. That trip will always be one of my favorites. Working in the sheltered workshops on long side the workers is a true reality check. We always complain how bad our life is or what we might be going through, and never take the time to “stop and smell the roses”. These people are full of love and joy that I have never seen in anyone else in my life. It was amazing to me how these people could be so open and so loving to strangers and not think anything of it. They taught me that no matter your situation, you should take the time and enjoy life. 

Group from Helias & O'Hara who helped rebuild the church in the background.

The next trip was Mexico, which I never would have gone if Jonathan Aur would have not encouraged me to do so. And I’m so glad he was so persistent in getting me to go. Mexico is by far my most memorable mission trip, and most humbling. It was not until I went to Mexico and served in the slums of Hermosillo, or the surrounding villages that I understood what poverty really was. These people had next to nothing and would give anything they could to you; to make sure you were comfortable. I also learned a lot about true faith on this trip. Even though these people lived in such horrible conditions they had a faith stronger than anything I could imagine. In a letter that a friend wrote to me on the trip she said, “It isn’t all about your “religion” but more about your “relationship” with God”. This really hit me and still sticks with me to this day.

Stefan on the 2010 Mexico Mission

In June, I participated on the Springfield mission trip. It was the true definition of “serving others”. Building a home for someone is something I think everyone should help do. Helping out someone in your community is truly giving of yourself. The gratification you get from seeing someone so thankful for you helping to provide them with a home might be one of the greatest experiences ever. I then went on to serve on the St. Louis and Springfield mission trips my senior year. I went off to college in Mississippi and volunteered with the Oktibbeha County Habitat for Humanity to help build a house. This experience was more of a “real life mission” for me because it was me going out on my own to help others.

Stefan working at WORTH Industries in St. Louis

I then chaperoned the Memphis mission trip. This trip was very special to me because it was where I had begun my mission journey. It all became very clear to me that these missions have a special place in my heart, since I was returning as an alumnus to help. My mission experience came full circle in Memphis. I was able to stand back and look at the high school kids and think how things have changed. It made me wish that they knew how much these missions not only effected who we helped, but also changed us as well. It made me proud to see these kids give up their time to help others. I am looking forward to returning to Springfield in June, this time as a chaperon. I hope to come out with the same thoughts as I did from Memphis. I don’t think I have to worry about that too much though. Helias is full of special kids who are willing to help, and the mission trips really help to show that. In short, the mission trips have changed my life, for the better. I really want to thank Mr. Aur for the endless hours he spends to make sure these trips happen. His dedication is inspirational. Go out and “Do something bigger than yourself”!

Helias Grad Volunteering In Liverpool

     Adam Frazier graduated from Helias in 2007.  From there, he attended Xavier University earning a bachelor's degree.  Here is where his narrative begins.

Adam playing soccer for Helias during his senior year.

     In September of 2011, I flew to Liverpool to begin my Vincentian Volunteer year.  I have spent the last 8 months living in community with two other volunteers, Patrick from North Carolina and Lisa from Indonesia. My two placements are at St. Vincent’s School for Sensory Impairment and Other Needs where I spend 3 days a week and the other placement has me spending 2 days a week in the Visual Rehabilitation Center at Christopher Grange.
      I choose to spend a year with the Vincentian Volunteers after a long, hard look at my claim to be a Roman Catholic. I am a product of Catholic schools, and without them I would not be here right now. Helias and Xavier taught me what it meant to be a Roman Catholic and how to practice my faith – not just say I am a Catholic or occupy a pew on Sundays. In May of 2011, I was accepted into the Vincentian Volunteers program. I was excited to embark upon this journey to live in a different country and serve the poor. Serve the poor. What does that mean?
     St. Vincent de Paul says, “You will find out that Charity is a heavy burden to carry, heavier than the kettle of soup and the full basket. But you will keep your gentleness and your smile. It is not enough to give soup and bread. This the rich can do. You are the servant of the poor, always smiling and good-humored. They are your masters, terribly sensitive and exacting master you will see. And the uglier and the dirtier they will be, the more unjust and insulting, the more love you must give them. It is only for your love alone that the poor will forgive you the bread you give to them.” Boy was he right.
      

     At St. Vincents, I work with the ‘post 16’ form. These 7 students each have a visual impairment of some degree and most have an additional impairment (physical, behavioral, or both). I work as a learning support assistant during the lessons. The school is residential and so two nights a week I accompany some of the students and residential care staff to off campus activities. The two activities I go to are Daisy Club which is a youth club put on by Daisy UK which offers youth clubs for disabled children. The other activity is horse riding at a local stable.
The other activities offered to the children include dance class, football training, and rock climbing. It is important to not provide the children with an accessible education but also to provide age appropriate recreational activities.
       At Christopher Grange I am an extra set of hands to help out the rehabilitation officers. At Christopher Grange, service users are taught living, cooking, mobility, and computer skills for their new lifestyle. Recently, the rehab center has secured a contract with the largest taxi firm in Merseyside to provide Visual Impairment Awareness Training to the drivers of the entire fleet. This came after receiving complaints from our service users about the problems they face
using taxis. I play a major role in this training and it has received positive remarks from all those who have taken the course.
      The love I have for the children and service users grows with each day. They can be difficult at times, and it is in times I remember this quote. The best I can do is simply be there for the children and service users – to offer my hand of friendship to those society would wish to ignore or discard. There is a lot of bitterness and anger when it comes to those who have had sight and lost it. I simply can be there for them – the gift of myself and my time is all I have to offer, but it is a treasured gift.

Final Letter from Heart's Home Mission

Jonathan’s Letter # 4 - May 2011

Dear Family and Friends,

As month nine is coming to an end, we are starting to prepare for my return to the United States. Things have been going hard here and I don’t see it letting up any time soon. As I said in my last letter, Mayra and Yesse finished their missions and went home. There are now four of us here. I currently live with three Argentinians named Guilhermina, Nicolas, and Nany. It has been a big transition period since their departures but things are slowly getting back to normal.

A Different Kind of Mission

On March 18^th, I went with Fr. Arnaud and the new head of Heart’s Home, Fr. Guilherme, to Rio de Janeiro for ten days to work. It was an incredible experience. We worked like crazy with our talks on the radio, lectures, and testimonies in front of large groups, etc. The purpose of our time in Rio was to spread the word about Heart’s Home and that we did. It was an honor to get chosen to represent Heart’s Home in such a way.

Jonathan, Gabby & Kaka

Some More Friends

Ninha - I know I already told you all about Ninha but I just wanted to let you all know that João Guilherme is due June 10. Also, Gabby now can say my name.

W. - When I arrived last July, W. was at our house almost every day. His relationship with our house was as strong, if not stronger than any. He was also a great friend of mine. W. was a great person with only one defect. He was the head drug trafficker of the area. W. didn’t let his work life and his personal life get mixed up too much until one day he killed a co-worker of his. After that day, W.’s life turned upside down. Things just went from bad to worse. We did everything we could to try and get him to leave the drugs and get out the city. A lot of time passed without hearing from W. until one day I received a phone call. It was W.. He told me that he had left the drug industry completely and was living in a city a few hours outside of Simões Filho. It was a miracle. W. was able to do the impossible. I was very happy about what he had done until a few weeks ago I had an encounter with W. again but it was different than our normal encounters. He was runni ng away from the police after robbing a school and was trying to break into our house. It was a very difficult thing that happened, not because he was trying to rob us, but because the life he has reentered will only end in death.

L. - L. is our 17-year-old next door neighbor. She is someone to be looked at as an inspiration to all of us. Lau has 4 sisters who all got pregnant when they were sixteen or younger. She lives in a two room house with her mother. She is surrounded by a world of sex, drugs, and alcohol. But, thankfully, L. has spent every afternoon at our house since the day it opened. She knows our daily prayers better than we do. She goes to church at least 4 times a week. And on top of all this, L. has dreams. This may sound silly to many of us Americans who live in a country filled with dreams but remember, this neighborhood doesn’t exactly produce dreams. L. wants to be a doctor. She says she doesn’t want a boyfriend because that only will distract her. This girl came from nothing but she wants everything. We have already made a promise within our house that we will do anything it takes to make her dreams come true. We have already taken her to the Medical University in Sa lvador and that is just the start of it. L. is truly an example of why we continue when things get tough.

Donha N. - Donha N. is another inspiring woman in our lives. She calls us her white children and she treats us like it, too. Donha N. is a proud mother of nine, is seventy-eight, and lives with her daughter and three sisters. At the age of seventy-eight, Donha N. has still not taken a single day in her life for just her. She passes most of her time taking care of her sisters and daughter. M. , her daughter, has the mental capacity of a toddler due to drugs. B., her sister, has breast cancer. M., her other sister, suffers from a rare skin disease that slowly eats away at her skin. D. N. is never down in the dumps, sad, or without hope. Every time she tells us about something wrong in her life she ends the story with a big smile and the words, “It’s okay because I am in God’s hands and if I stay there, I’ll be good.”

Donha M. - Eighteen years ago, D. M. took in the daughter of a friend who didn’t have the means to take care of her. A few years ago, the daughter became very involved in drugs and prostitution. She ended up getting pregnant. Her son, D., is one of the cutest babies I have ever seen. D. stayed with D. M. every day, all day. The daughter managed to get out of the drugs and prostitution but went straight to the police to clear her name. When her “ex co-workers” found out, they kidnapped, raped, and killed her. Since D. M. is not D.’s real grandmother, she lost custody. She has now lost her daughter and grandson.

Work On Top of Work

A few months ago, four young boys playing soccer at the bottom of the favela were killed by stray bullets. We immediately decided we needed to do something. We now have a project in progress to build a small soccer field in our back yard. This area will also be used for Mass, Permanences, Gatherings, etc. It is a project that will also ensure the safety of our house. It has been a great experience for me to have started this project and carried it to the point I have for the next head of the household and community to continue. It has also worn me out. Our days don’t leave much time for ourselves but the project is all in order. We have also asked for local help on this project. Just this morning I met with the mayor and a city council member to see about receiving help from the city. This is work I never imagined I would be doing throughout my mission but it is more rewarding than I ever could have imagined.

Adrian, Nany, myself, Guillermina

The Last Bit

I received my ticket for my flight back home already. I closed my eyes and just like that, almost ten months have gone by like nothing. My “despedida” (farewell) process has already started. It is my preparation to go back home. It normally takes about a month to say goodbye to everyone and invite them to my farewell mass. It is also a big preparation for the people of the neighborhood as well. It is never easy for any of us to say good bye... especially when we don’t know when the next time will be that we see that person. I am sure many tears will be shed but also many memories made. I will let you all know how it turns out when I have my feet back on American soil. It looks like I will be arriving at the Columbia Airport at 3:00 pm on June 15. Until then!

In Him,
Jonathan Aur

Easter From Friends

This is a letter my son, Jonathan, wrote while on mission with Heart's Home in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.  Jonathan spent a year doing mission work.

Dear Jefferson City Friends,

       This is a picture of the kids in Brazil with their Easter presents. On this day, every child in our neighborhood was at our house playing games and was surprised with a present. The presents might have been the best presents that the children had ever received in their entire lives. The presents consisted of coloring books, crayons, and plastic Easter eggs filled with candy. It was all made possible by Helias Catholic High School, St. Peter's Catholic School, and the Balcer Family. The support that Heart's Home received from my friends and family back home was more than ever repayable. Even now, while writing this thank you letter, I get teary eyed. The loving Jefferson City community made an impact on those children's lives that they will never forget. Those children now have the option to stay inside or at the Heart's Home and color their books or draw with their crayons instead of running around on the streets. Keeping those children off of the streets will keep them away from drugs, sex, alcohol, prostitution, and even death. In this picture, you will be able to see smiles unlike any smiles you will encounter in our day-to-day lives. They are smiles caused by such an incomprehensible simplicity that we can't help but take a moment to thank God. Those are the smiles that got me out of bed every day at all hours and all situations. I want to thank everyone for their support. Heart's Home mission cannot be made possible without the love and support from back home. Thanks again and God bless.

Love,
Jonathan Aur

P.S. Not all of the children that were there that day are in the picture.

P.P.S. The boy on my left (Enrique) asked if we could take this picture "to thank the people who love us and don't even know us."