Hello All,
I'
M GOING TO GUATEMALA THIS SUMMER!!!!!!!!!!! Tickets are being ordered Monday....IT'S A DONE DEAL! Oh, I'm so excited. Since last semester I have been trying to put together this service trip to San Lucas Toliman, a mission down in Guatemala. Back then, I never thought I would see the project through, but that all changed
last week. I was able to convince my parents to let me go and plans started to gain momentum. I'll be leaving June 28th and coming back to Chi-town on August 3rd....5 weeks! 
I am just thrilled.
I have been talking to two girls here at Loyola who have already visited the mission and they are elated just to know that I am going. Let me tell you a bit about the mission. The Diocese of New Ulm in Minnesota established a parish in San Lucas Toliman over 30 years ago. This program began when Father Greg Schaffer (who was awarded an honorary Doctorate here at 
Loyola for his work) began assisting the indigenous Mayan populations in Guatemala. Father Greg and his parish have made 3-acre plots available for over 2,500 families to use for farming. He has also provided the people with over 1,000 homes, a health-care program, a fully functional coffee plantation, and reforestation program. This is not to mention Fr. Greg's work with the children. Local education programs have taken people from a 97% illiteracy rate to over 85% literacy rate through the adult education program and parish grade schools. 
This mission is simply amazing! I could not be more excited about this summer. I'll be going with Father Daffron, and my two friends, Paul and Chelsea. Be preared for pictures GALORE when I get back!
Saludos,
Michelle
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