Serena's Philippines Mission Trip

The "Happy" video proves that people in all situations can find joy. I am excited to go on a mission trip this summer to see how people with far less than I could ever imagine living on are able to survive and inspire others. I hope to help in whatever ways I can, and I know I will be forever changed.  Read more details below...

WAYS YOU CAN HELP:

1) Make a donation of any amount through this Fundly page AND/OR share this opportunity to give with others through email or facebook, etc.

2) Make a donation through Estrella Mountain Church at http://www.emcaz.org/give (specify Philippines Mission 2014 after clicking the 'give online' button) or by mail to Estrella Mountain Church, 10485 S. Estrella Pkwy., Goodyear, AZ 85338

3) Purchase Scentsy products from https://jonnabeth.scentsy.us/Scentsy/ My friend is donating all profits from her online sales to my mission trip from now until June 20th, 2014!! Just click the ‘Shop’ tab that says ‘Serena’s Philippines Mission Trip’ when you purchase. (Great for gifts too!!) and forward the link to others who could help ☺

4) Purchase Trades of Hope jewelry (also great for gift-giving!!) http://www.mytradesofhope.com/parties/3560 (20-25% of these sales will go towards this mission trip)

MY STORY:

A year and a half ago, when I was diagnosed with cancer (stage 3C colon cancer that is now in remission), I had to make a decision. When I wondered why this happened to me, I could either think that it was random and the outcome was based on circumstance and statistics, or I could believe (as I do) that there is a purpose to my life and I was meant to do something with the time I have here on earth.  Of course none of us knows the day or hour of our passing, and it’s hard to know what we are supposed to do with our lives, but it gave me a desire to live life more fully and to love others with a little more intention.

I have Filipino ancestry, but I don’t know much about the Philippines beyond what I’ve seen on television. Like me, you have probably seen images in the news of the devastation caused by the recent typhoon in the Philippines.  In November of 2013, Typhoon Haiyan (known in English as Typhoon Yolanda) struck the islands, affecting 16 million people. More than 8,000 people are missing or known dead, and many children are left orphaned. More than 28,000 people were injured. The typhoon destroyed more than 1.1 million homes, displacing those families. Our mission team will be traveling to the island of Leyte, one of the hardest hit areas, and the city of Tacloban where over 1,000 people still live in stadiums, tents and other forms of temporary shelter.

I know through experience that hope, although intangible, is a very real gift. I want to impact the lives of those affected in a practical way by helping to meet their basic needs, and by letting them know that we care about them and that God loves them.

I will be travelling with 7 other members of my church, and meeting up with members of several other US churches. We will travel in a large group to the Philippines where Estrella Mountain Church has established contacts.  I am leaving on June 27 and will return on July 13, 2014.

The cost of the trip is $3,000 per person, which includes transportation, lodging, meals and contributions toward the ministry (medical supplies, material donations, and supplies for rebuilding, etc.) I am hoping to raise these funds by May 1, 2014. If you are able to give a donation of any size toward this mission, I would be so honored to carry out this work with your help. If you are unable to give at this time, I ask that you keep this mission, and me, in your thoughts and prayers as I embark on a journey that I know will be life-changing!! 

Thank You!

“If you spend yourselves on behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.” ~ Isaiah 58:10