Sorpresa!

This past week, my mom and I took a quick (too quick) trip to Playa de Oro, to surprise the students with a gift from my Alma mater, Bishop O Gorman Catholic Schools! It seems like such a small thing to us, but these children having their own lunch trays is huge. They have not been served lunch in school before. This year when the program started in February, they had to bring their own containers to eat out of.

Of course, the trip was not just to surprise the children with this gift, that was the bonus, but we had some business to take care of as well as we begin to plan the building of the San Miguel Center in Playa de Oro.

We had some practical things, like opening a bank account and meetings about the land and construction, but even more importantly we needed to know from the families, what is their desire for our on going presence in the village? See, we never want to go in and say, here let us do this for you, because this is what we want or feel you need, but we ask what do you desire for your community and how can we assist in that.

The common answer to that question was assisting in the education of their children. And that is exactly what we were hoping the answer would be. Education in the village is limited and has not always been a priority and for some, it is still not and that is ok too, but to hear that same answer from many was very promising.

As we continue this journey towards the San Miguel Center, pray with us through the intercession of Mother St Frances Xavier Cabrini, that we too may persevere in our desire to be resourceful, to find people who would donate much needed in support and labor and have faith that if it is of God's will our prayers will be answered!

Witness statements from those who were there!

We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And this fellowship of ours is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ. We write these things so that our joy may be complete.  1 John 1:3-4

There are a few words that can describe the feelings associated with one of these mission trips to Guatemala.  It was soul-renewing, humbling, and inspiring. I worried that it could never be as good as the first time I went 4 years ago. I was wrong and I trust it will only get better every time as I see the progress that the ‘Love is the Mission’ people are making. Playa de Oro now has clean water available, monthly food supplies to over 100 families, children getting additional education beyond what their families and village can provide and most importantly, hope. The work this mission does is not just feel good work to come home and talk about to make ourselves feel better.

I was fortunate to help serve 140 patients in our medical clinic. While we can only offer so much with limited resources, they are so appreciative of the care. We are really starting to build up the clinic clientele and trust within the village. I think the clinic will only continue to grow as we have more providers willing to serve every 6 months to a year.

Love is the Mission is in this village for the long haul to change the future of these children and it’s working, and it’s amazing. I am blessed to have been invited to be a part of this and I remain in awe of the generosity, devotion and persistence that St Michael Parish under the direction of my sister-in-law, Rhonda Kelsey and niece, Taylor Klubben have for this beautiful mission they have created. Thank you for allowing my friends and I to be a part of it. We can’t wait to go back!   Love is the Mission~el amor es la mission  Kala Shepherd, CNP Chamberlain, SD

This week has been nothing short of life-changing. After six years of praying and planning to visit Playa de Oro, God answered my prayers. I left the U.S. with an open heart and the intent on finding my love for mission work and the church again. Wow, did I leave with so much more! No one can truly explain the conversion within one’s self the work here creates, but I know I will forever be changed for the better. Earning the title of Mi Amiga, was one of the biggest blessings I received this week. Playa de Oro and all of its beautiful people will be a part of my heart forever. It is impossible to forget a blessing from God.  No es un adios, es un te veo pronto.  Corina Arnett St Michael

On an impulse, I said yes to going on this mission trip to Play de Oro when I heard they were looking for nurses. Not knowing what to expect, it was a journey to work with new made friends as a group and to meeting the special people of Guatemala.

Sometimes in our lives we need reminders that lives can impact others in the smallest jesters of love and hope -especially in children. Children absorb all things around them because they are hungry for learning and attention from coloring pictures, playing soccer and even braiding hair. A hug and smile went a long way, but the special people who had helped with interpretations made it a whole complete circle, especially during medical clinic times.

Someone asked me recently would I go back again? And I would have to say yes in a heartbeat-especially to check on my new friend Carlos! And to see all the radiant smiles from the children!!!   Thank you Rhonda for including me with St. Michael’s mission to Guatemala-thank you Father Dan for your daily mass/prayers throughout the trip.    Margarita Mary

What a blessing and an honor it was to serve on the January 2024 Love is the Mission tour! I went into the trip with the thought of being of service in a nursing role to support the clinic operation, knowing there was more to the trip than medical care. However, I could not have been prepared to witness the incredible things happening in Playa de Oro, directly resulting from the work of Love is the Mission, and the St. Michael’s parish.

It is evident that the success of the mission is obtained through the constant support provided by the mission and faith of the village that the help will return. Personally seeing the living conditions and the food insecurities made the monthly food distribution day such an emotional experience. Even the kids helped with the unloading of the trucks. Seeing the stacks of food and supplies allotted for the month was truly humbling. Your donations to this program are life changing for these families! And they are so grateful!

I am so excited to begin to participate in the student scholarship program as well! While some of the children go to work after they complete the “elementary school” program, several of the kids are so excited to be able to continue their education. What an amazing opportunity to support the dreams and ambitions of these students!

Heavy on my heart is the prayer for the future of the mission. The dreams that Love is the Mission has for these children is incredibly inspiring. Plans for an after school/health center is so exciting! Our clinic served over 140 individuals for a variety of concerns, including general well checks for children. The clean water project has played such an important part in the overall health of the children and community, and that was apparent during the assessment of the children.

I pray that I return to Guatemala soon with Love is the Mission. I am truly honored to have been a part of a group doing the work of God. Megan Perrman

I would like to start out by saying "Thank You" for allowing my husband Greg and I to be a part of our first Mission Trip with "Love is the Mission".

What Rhonda and her past teams and St Michael's have been doing for the Village of Playa de Oro is so appreciated by the families that live there. Their love and trust for her is so evident, It is hard to put into words the feelings of what we experienced.

 I was privileged to be a part of the medical team of which I was so very proud of, in 3 short days we were able to see and treat approx 150 people ranging from infants to elderly people. The relief you would see in young mother's eye's when you would tell them that you were going to be able to help them and their children was indescribable.

There was the joy of seeing all the children interacting with our team playing soccer, playing with the toys that were we brought to them, the vacation bible school lessons, the hair braiding sessions by the children to our team members. They were all so patient with all of us that spoke little or no spanish, not to mention all of the laughter that could be heard amongst the kids young and old, and with the team. It was all so good.

We cannot say enough about our entire team..... From our Wonderful bus driver Romelio, our interpreters, our wonderful cooks, to Father Dan. When it was time to part and go our separate ways there were many tears. If you have ever wondered if this is something God may be calling you to do? Don't wait, sign up now. You will not regret it. Denise and Grey Lynott, Haywarden, IA

I am so grateful for this life-changing service experience to go with St. Michaels Parish on Love is the Mission trip to Playa de Oro, Guatemala.

I saw the extreme poverty these people are living in. We take for granted having clean water and electricity in our homes, having enough food to eat, and having access to a good education and healthcare systems. While we were at the village, we were able to provide care, education, and/or medications to over 140 people at the health clinic; 110 families in the village received monthly food bags funded by St. Michaels parishioners, the grade school children were able to enjoy a zoo trip in Guatemala City and the middle school children enjoyed a trip to Antiqua to zip line and ride ATV’s.

The mission trip in person is a totally different experience emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually than seeing these pictures. Despite not being able to speak much Spanish our interpreters were awesome, and we were able to build meaningful relationships and I felt connected to them and enriched by them.

St. Michael’s Parish is doing some amazing work! I saw firsthand how much we can make a difference in the lives of the people of Playa de Oro. Even one church can do so much to alleviate suffering and give hope. We can all make a difference so I hope you will consider supporting Love is the Mission.

 I would recommend anyone and everyone to travel to Guatemala with Rhonda Kelsey and the Love is the Mission team in sharing the love and hope of Jesus Christ! This mission trip filled my heart with joy and my life with smiles. When I see these people filled with joy with the little, they have, I realized they have the most important thing of all ~ faith in Jesus.   Jolene Hanson, RN, Sioux Falls, SD

Whenever people ask me about our Guatemala mission, they ask what we do there..I have a lot of answers to that question, as what we’ve accomplished over the last 5 1/2 years is multifaceted.

This year we saw 160 patients at our medical clinic and did a food distribution throughout the community. But the one answer that always remains constant and is arguably most important is “love the children.”

These adorable, silly, joyful faces that you see are the reason we keep going back and the reason we have this mission. We come to spend one week playing and laughing and learning with kids that you truly can’t help but love immediately upon meeting. The pure joy experienced throughout this week is immeasurable and it truly is my happiest place el amor es la mission, Taylor Klubben

Our love for others is our grateful response to the love God first demonstrated us.

1 John 4:19

Recognizing Our Need of Christ

Early January 12 participants embarked on a mission to Playa de Oro, Guatemala. If I had to

sum up the trip in one word it would be JOYOUS! I have never heard so much laughter! Of

course there was laughter from the kids in the village, they are always very excited to have us

come.

Every day we would ride in on the bus and, Romelio, our bus driver, would honk the horn and

the children would come running. Their joy could be heard and their love could be felt as they

went around hugging each one of us, old friends and new friends.

Their joy was contagious though! Each night when I went to bed (earlier than most) I could hear

rolling laughter below. There were a few times on the bus, when I just stopped and recorded

laughter. There were belly aches from belly laugh! It was and is a beautiful sound.

Most of us participants are always struck by this joy that seems to be more evident in a village

that has far less than what we have. But the truth is we know that joy comes from the Lord,

not in material things and not in our circumstances.

Joy comes from recognizing our need of Christ and knowing that He is with us always! He is in

control! I think Father Tom said it best when he shared “I hope we can continue to assist the

people of Playa de Oro in their material needs as much as they have helped us to grow in a

deeper awareness of God blessings.”

You can read more on the “Witness statements from those who were there’!