Dear ,

This summer I will have the very special opportunity of building relationships and serving across our southern border on a youth mission trip to Mexico.  Twenty two Catholic students and adults from around the Spokane diocese have accepted this challenge and so have I! Our team will be staying with the Franciscan Religious Order in Vicente Guerrero, Mexico (3 ½ hours south of Tijuana on the Baja Peninsula).  We will be working through a program called Los Embajadores, which means The Ambassadors.  This is a non-profit Catholic based immersion program based in Portland, Oregon.  Our common goals while in Mexico will be to focus on the five areas of community, spirituality, simplicity, social justice and service.  

Los Embajadores is a service project to one of the poorest sections of North America.  The team will leave for Mexico on June 22nd and will return on June 29th, 2008.  Our team will be one of many youth teams that will travel to Mexico starting in early June and ending in early August.  The teams will come from Canada, Oregon, and Washington and will work with the Franciscans of St. Francis of Assisi in Vicente Guerrero and the Salesians of St. John Bosco in Tijuana and the Mexican Educational Project of Baja California.

As you can imagine, a trip like this will cost a considerable amount of money.  The cost of the project for me is $950.00, which will include my travel, meals, and supplies for the 7 days we will be gone.  The supplies will include the van rentals, gas, construction materials, and tools.  Some of the tools we use will be donated to the religious orders for training the local people in future building endeavors. 

I am hoping you will become as excited as I am about this project and can assist me by making a donation in my name.  A donation of $10.00 is suggested, however any donation, large or small, will be greatly appreciated.  Checks should be made payable to St. Mary’s.  If you are able to help, please send your check in the enclosed envelope.  No names will be sold or used for future solicitation by Los Embajadores or the sponsoring Catholic Parishes of St. Joseph’s in Colbert, St. Joseph’s in Otis Orchards, and St. Mary’s in Spokane Valley. 

I know that I will grow and learn much from this experience.  If you are able to help support me financially, I want to thank you.  In any event, I would appreciate your prayerful support during the trip this summer.  Please use the pre-addressed envelope to send any message of support for the project.  I will be sending thank-you notes from Mexico this summer and will share with you some of the things our team achieved.

Thank You and God Bless You,