Volunteer and Missions Trips Guide

Hi! It's been awhile since my last post. I've noticed that there's a huge part of my life that is missing from my blog: missions and volunteer trips. I've been to several awesome and beautiful 3rd world countries on the basis of volunteer and missionary work. These trips have been some of the greatest joys of my life, and I miss them so much! Serving on trips like these are when I feel most at home and most alive. ✞

Most of these trips can't warrant a blog on their own because we were busy working most of the time, but I did always try to get a taste of the local life and see some of their tourist hot spots. I would love to explain a little about each trip and brag on some of my friends who are doing AMAZING things around the world! . 

**Note: This post is not meant to brag on myself or toot my own. I'm writing because several friends have asked me how to get involved in these trips. I'm more than happy to hook you up with any of these companies/people and help you serve. I would love it, they would love it, and YOU would love it. 👏 They were all with established organizations that I know personally and would (and have) trust them with my life.

Haiti: My first trip, the one that started it all and changed my life, was Haiti in Dec. 2009. Haiti is a beautiful country, has a beautiful language, and beautiful people. Both of these trips were medical trips where we held clinics in remote villages outside of Port au Prince (the capitol). I learned so much from this trip and was so far outside of my comfort zone. We also threw a Christmas party for a couple of the remote orphanages. It was nice to have a break and play with the kids! This trip was especially heart wrenching and memorable because we left mere days before the devastating earthquake in January 2010. My heart still hurts for the many people we met on that trip who didn't survive. The organization that ran the first trip has since closed, but through those connections, I went back to Haiti in 2012. We stayed at an orphanage that friends run called Fondation Lespwa pou Demen (link here). This is an amazing group of adults and kids that deserve the world. Rest assured that any donations or help you send them will be used wisely and very appreciated. It will touch your heart to stay there and see the hope and love in that house. The boys in the orphanage have grown so much, and I hope to go back soon!

At a Haitian orphanage in 2009

Tell me this doesn't melt your heart

**A side note about Haiti, the beaches are surprisingly good! It is in the Caribbean after all, and right next door to the more popular Dominican Republic (which Jon just visited- a post on that trip coming soon 😉).

Cambodia: I've been to the two biggest cities in Cambodia for separate missions trips. The first one was with Crisis Relief Singapore (link) in Spring 2013 to conduct medical clinics in Phnom Pehn. We also put on a kids camp! It was my first real mission trip in Asia after I moved to Singapore, and it definitely made me want to do more! The logistics and safety of CRS are impeccable, professional, and trustworthy. They put on trips throughout all throughout Asia and are highly recommended if you are interested in serving here!

My second Cambodian trip was in January/February 2016 with an incredible organization that my church in Singapore supports. It is called Shelter of Love (link), and it's in a little village outside of Siem Reap called Khampong Thom. I love this organization so much. ❤ They have a large orphanage, as well as a primary school. I was even blessed enough to spend time with the woman who started it, Sue, who is easily one of the most amazing people I've ever met. Inspiring to say the least. I stayed on site in the "older kids" house and fell in love with every single one of them. We played more cards that week than I've played in my life, but that really bonded us as we struggled with our language barrier. The organization hosts groups year round, and you can serve in any capacity you want. Medical, ministry, construction, agriculture, kids.... any talent you have can be used here. I taught English, cooked meals, helped with church camps, and painted their new fence! I am still very close with the house parents and hope to go back one day; I'd love to even take a group of friends (hint hint). If anyone needs a place to serve, this is it. I hated leaving! 😢

My roommates for the week

*Side perk: You can fly in/out of Siem Reap, which is home to Angkor Wat: one of the new Wonders of the World (info here). It is the world's "largest religious monument" and is beside a number of other impressive temples. I spent almost a day wandering through these ruins. It is very fascinating and was on my to-do list before leaving South East Asia! ✅

Unedited shot of Angkor Wat

India- Through my church in Singapore, I was also connected to a World Record Holder, Benny Prasad. He's traveled to all countries in the world the fastest (#goals)! Even more impressive was that he was performed and preached in almost all the countries! He's from Bangalore and has always dreamed of starting a ministry there for adolescents facing increasing pressures to succeed, just like he did (google him to hear his testimony). He accomplished his dream a couple years ago, and I was able to visit his ministry called Chai 3:16 in February 2016. It's essentially a tea shop and music school, but also a safe place where local students can come, socialize, and learn (website here). They have amazing facilities and staff, and they take groups and individuals to help serve in their shop year round. I stayed for about a week on staff and cleaned, served tea, and was a confidant for students who came in and needed someone to talk to. I've had some of the deepest talks of my life here. The staff also showed me around Bangalore on a motorcycle, which was another bucketlist item! ✅ Y'all, big things are going to happen through this ministry. Come be part of it! 

Some of their amazing staff

Uganda: Uganda was a week and a half that changed my life FOREVER. I'm not exaggerating. This trip will probably get its own post in the future because, besides missions and work, we also went on an amazing safari and got ENGAGED!! 💑 I'll elaborate on that later but more importantly, we served in humbling ways.  First off, in 2014 I helped an organization start a medical clinic in here called Fountain of Hope Medical Center (link here; includes info about the clinic). It has been a long and sometimes difficult road, but I am so proud of how far they have come. Needless to say, I was ecstatic to see the clinic in person and even work there. We had many days of health screenings and health education. My hubby Jon did an amazing job conducting business seminars to packed out churches. I have never been more proud of him in my life! We also participated in feeding programs and youth ministry. Y'all, this place has my heart, and one of our very best friends here runs most of it. His name is Mark, and again, we have trusted him with our lives (and even my engagement ring, unbeknownst to me). He has so many connections there and he can truly find a way to use your talents to help Ugandans, whatever those talents are. There's so much to reminisce over about this trip; I'll definitely do another post ☺ 

*If you can help the clinic in any way, please let me know. I personally would be very grateful, and I know the staff and organization would be too. Medical supplies, volunteers, monetary donations, etc are greatly needed, and you have my word that they will be put to the best use. Email me if you can help! 💌

Feeding program for orphans

Safari sneak peek!

As always, I have left out a couple countries and people that I will surely get back to. I can't forget to mention our church in Singapore, IBC (link), who gave us infinite opportunities and resources to serve in many small trips around South East Asia (Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia). It is also where Jon and I met. 💑 We are forever grateful for IBC and how much it added to our faith, and it was a huge part of our life overseas. If you're in the area, give them a visit!

I'm a huge advocate of mission work, volunteering, and making the world a better place in general. We haven't been able to serve internationally since moving back to the US in 2016. Since, we have moved twice and finally landed in NYC, which has as much need as a third world countries it seems. We miss serving and plan to do alot more of it here locally in NYC, as well as visit some of these places again soon! I have been truly blessed to meet each of these amazing people and organizations. I know what you're thinking: it's intimidating to go on a trip like this, or maybe you just don't know where to start or who to trust? If you feel you want to serve somewhere, some way, please email me. I'll put you in contact with someone who can make it happen! Better yet, maybe we can do a trip together!! 

Let's never stop trying to change the world, even if it's one life at a time! 💘