Russia

This mission gave me a greater understanding of what it means to be human, and a deeper understanding of love.  We worked with the neglected elderly and orphans in Vladivostok, who have no one to defend their dignity and no one to show them love, and with the children of the poorest and dirtiest neighborhoods, who longed for attention and meaning.  In their pain, suffering, and neglect, we encountered the passion of Christ, and He taught us that His love transcends language, it fulfills all longings, and it overcomes all weaknesses.  In the chaos and brokenness of Russia, we found the light of Christ reaching out and overwhelming the darkness.
-Former FOCUS Mission volunteer 

Dates: July 15th-August 2nd*

Trip Director: Mike Guenther

Mission Co-Leaders: Michael Selenski, Jessica Connelly, Melissa Weeder

Amount to Fundraise: $3900*

Under communist rule, the practice of Christianity was illegal in Russia. Now, in the post-Cold War era, the people of Russia are still recovering from oppression. Come bring the hope of Christ to them on this summer Mission!

On this mission you will catechize the youth of Russia who are longing for a Christ-like example of love and mercy. We will be working with Fr. Myron Effing, an American priest who has been in Russia for an extended period of time.  He has helped found an order of priests to minister in Russia and played a key effort in re-evangelizing the post-communist community in Vladivostok. Fr. Myron’s parish feeds meals to 40-50 children from single-family homes each week.  Most of these children reside in Soviet-style single room apartments with their parents.

The mission is to put on a summer youth camp for the children in the wilderness of Lesovovodsk, showing them what it truly means to live a life for Christ. Come impact the future of Russia by ministering to the youth on this 2011 FOCUS Mission!

In addition to running a wilderness camp for the youth, we may be attending the Far East Catholic Youth Conference taking place in the Vladivostok region in the last week of July or first week of August. Our presence at this conference could represent a profound opportunity for Catholic evangelization and solidarity.  Our FOCUS Mission team may even have the opportunity to lead sessions at this conference!

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*Trip dates and price subject to change

Philippines

 On a FOCUS Mission Trip, the Lord showed me that He is present in every given moment, if only one makes the effort to open their eyes to the beauty of those surrounding them in the here and now and stop dwelling on the past/future. Every moment is an opportunity to love and grow closer to Christ. The mission trip helped me to see that I am capable of utilizing every moment to bring greater glory to God!
-Sabrina Harris School: Appalachian State University

Date: July 9-July 27 

Mission Director: Shannon Zurcher

 Mission Co-Leaders:Katelyn Jastrebski, Andy Norton, Chris Rothschild

 Amount to Fundraise: $2400.00*

* Amount to Fundraise and dates are subject to change

Hosted by the Filipino GK Build program, this Catholic based organization has been hosting student groups for 1-2 week long immersions for 6 years.  As Christ lived among the poor and downtrodden, so too will we as we work in the Filipino slums to build homes and transform a community through the light of Christ.  Working with GK, you will be able to experience poverty but also see hope, transforming a culture and creating a belief in the dignity of all people.

We will also be meeting up with a delegation of young adults from Malaysia on this Mission to share in the service. The goal is to share our experiences of faith from opposite sides of the world and to help each other grow in love for the Church!

NOTE: There will be two summer trips to the Philippines. One is for University of Florida students only! Please make sure you apply for the correct Philippines trip in our online application system. The University of Florida trip will be designated as a University of Florida trip on the application.

Price includes: Roundtrip airfare from Los Angeles (or other US departure city determined by the Mission Director), travel insurance, pre-trip orientation retreat, post-trip debriefing retreat, all food, lodging, and in-country transportation.(Does not include immunizations and travel meds, your travel to/from departure city, passport/visa expenses, other personal incidentals).

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Kolkata, India

          I went to India to change the lives of others and found out quickly that the opposite was happening. The poorest of the poor taught me more on lessons of humility and patience than any mentor or teacher could have. My experience changed my life forever and will be something I will never forget.
-Zach Kane, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Date: May 30th-July 1st *

Mission Director: Kyle Senn

Mission Co-Leaders: Jeff Runyan, Kate Ebeler, Ruth Kalscheur

Amount to Fundraise: $3000-$3500*

*Dates and amount to fundraise subject to change

Imagine walking in the footsteps of Mother Teresa of Kolkata, working with orphans, feeding the hungry and serving the dying.  This is your chance to emulate in yourself the life of a saint-to-be.  Join this incredibly profound mission working with the Missionaries of Charity in the slums of Kolkata!  Each day you will have a chance to invest your life into the “least of God’s people” whether by working in a home for the dying, an orphanage populated by preschool-aged victims of sex trafficking, or any number of apostolates run by the Missionaries of Charity.

After working in midst of the Missionaries of Charity who inspire all present with their incredible heroic generosity, the group will travel to beautiful coastal Chennai where they will have the once-in-a-lifetime chance of seeing the tomb of St. Thomas the Apostle.

Finally, end your trip in Jaipur, where you will be immersed in authentic Indian culture, interacting with elephants, cobras, and monkeys and seeing one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World—the Taj Mahal!

Price includes: Roundtrip airfare from Chicago (or other US departure city determined by the Mission Director), travel insurance, pre-trip orientation retreat, post-trip debriefing retreat, all food, lodging, and in-country transportation.  (Does not include immunizations and travel meds, your travel to/from departure city, passport/visa expenses, other personal incidentals).

*Dates and amount to fundraise subject to change

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