Encounter Christ in the Poor

I have always had a heart for service. I was active in my youth group in high school and enjoyed helping on retreats and volunteering at soup kitchens or participating in various service projects around our small town. I went on my first official mission trip when I was a freshman in college. I was surprised that not everyone at my college was signing up for a mission trip. Travel? Meet new friends? Help people in need? Learn about a new culture? Yes, yes, yes, yes!

We slept on the floor of a grade school gym and helped out at a local reservation with various needs. We organized a soup kitchen, played with kids after school, and demolished part of a dilapidated house. I had never seen such poverty before, and I learned much about Native American culture and history.

This trip sparked a series of mission trips during every school break for the next three years. I served with the Missionaries of Charity in St. Louis, New York, Houston, and Calcutta. I spent time with organizations like Christ in the City and FOCUS missions and spearheaded local projects on my campus. I had no idea there were lay people, families even, who committed to this—giving their lives to serving those less fortunate—full-time.

I joined FMC in 2019, and today, I am immensely blessed to be a bridge-builder between our full-time lay Catholic missionaries and you—our supporters, partners, friends, and family. By going on a mission trip with FMC and getting to know our full-time missionaries, you get to meet the poor around the world who can give you a glimpse into true humility
and help open your eyes to your own poverty. We are not bringing Christ to the poor. He’s already there. By going on a mission trip with FMC and getting to know our full-time missionaries, you get to meet the poor around the world who can give you a glimpse into true humility and help open your eyes to your own poverty. We are not only bringing Christ to the poor but also encountering Christ, the Suffering Servant, in the poor with whom we live and serve.

We are encountering Christ, the Suffering Servant, in the poor with whom we live and serve.

This year so far, we have hosted nine mission trips in five different countries. We have poured cement floors for several families who previously had dirt floors in their homes. We have given one woman a roof and helped a family to begin rebuilding their home. We have prayed with the homebound and seen healing miracles happen. A woman regained the ability to walk! Best of all, we brought the Holy Eucharist to pueblos that seldom have the opportunity to attend Mass.

If this has touched your heart, even in a small way, I invite you to reach out to me at trips@familymissionscompany.com.

I would love to hear your story and how the Lord is moving you to take part in the Great Commission. Christ says, “the harvest is plenty but the laborers are few” (Matthew 9:37). How is Christ inviting you to labor with us?