I’m excited to have accepted a year-long missions position with Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) in Mexico. YAGM is a project of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) for young adults aged 19-30 to participate in a year of service around the world. This August, I will depart to the city of Cuernavaca, which is about an hour south of Mexico City. Nicknamed the “City of Eternal Spring,” Cuernavaca is best known as a vacation spot for the most affluent of Mexicans & many famous Americans as well. However, in order to support tourism and resort living, there are many who flock to the city in hopes of opportunity, only to find themselves in desperate need of the most basic human services. I will be joining a team of six Young Adults who will be carrying out the Church’s mission with these children of God.
I have agreed to give a year of my life to work with this project. I am asking you to help the Church fund the work we will be doing. The total cost of a YAGM year is $10,000—only $30 per day. Over $6,000 of this cost is provided by the ELCA, while my commitment is to raise $4,000 toward supporting the program before I leave in August. Please consider sponsoring a day on your birthday, anniversary, or perhaps a day in the life of someone else you know who shares my passion for caring for others.
I will be entering the community of Cuernavaca in order to explore with the people there how my gifts might best be put to use there. This year’s YAGM will be involved with a variety of issues, including domestic violence, drug rehabilitation, financial empowerment, wheelchair accessibility, and education. More information about the Young Adults in Global Mission Program can be found at the Global Missions website.
Two events will be taking place in Clemson in order to gather together prior to my departure. Tuesday, May 25th there will be a special beer tasting at Nick’s Tavern & Deli from 5:30-8:30pm. On June 20th, University Lutheran will host a hot dog lunch after the 11am worship service. Donations received prior to this date will be eligible for a 1-to-1 matching grant from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. I hope you will be able to join me on one or both of these occasions.
Please continue to keep my family, my host community, and me in your thoughts and prayers, as I’m sure this experience will contain ups and downs for us all. You can continue to contact me by email now and during my time in Cuernavaca. You can also keep up with me via this blog, or by signing up for my newsletter mailing list. If you have questions about any of these, please leave a comment below including your contact information.
I recently had the opportunity to meet the wonderful collection of 43 gifted and passionate young adults who will likewise be leaving their homes in August. I am honored to be included in this impressive Global Missions team. I hope you will also join in the partnership with us by offering your prayers, posting comments on our blogs, and offering whatever financial gifts you are able. Thank you.
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