Peitong Anne Therese Jing

 

Mount Hua is one of China's Five Great Mountains, and has a long history of religious significance (Daoism).

1. 大家好! 我是景沛桐(Peitong). "Pei" means water and abundance, and "Tong" is the name of a type of trees. A lady(by the Holy Spirit) told me last year that I am a tree planted by the living water (Jeremiah 17:8, Psalm 1:3), so Praise to God!  I will be a junior at University of Wisconsin-Madison next fall. I major in economics and international studies with a certificate in environmental science.

2. I will spent my day copying/drawing this picture and that little boy will  be changed into a little girl with a dark pony tail (that’s me!!) (I think I will actually do it after our trip when I am back home in China.


3. Classic hymns and ancient Chinese music. I also love country music especially when the lyrics are good.

4. First, it has to be THE WORD (which is also A Person)! Many inspirations came from hardships such as being sick or finding a brown cockroach on my brown pillow. Nature: I am so blessed to live on a campus that has a big lake, beaches, hills, gardens…until WISCONSIN WINTER comes.

5. My home and family are in Jinan, Shandong, China. I have been to Australia, South Korea and USA!

6. Sunset!I really enjoy running away from the sunset into the dark blue clouds, because this shows me that my Heavenly Farther always watches over me from behind even when I cannot see Him and when my life journey is overshadowed by darkness. I can almost feel the warmth of the sun through my memory and the power of Faith which is totally a gift from God! Also running away from the sunset means I am running towards the moon whom I often think as being Mary because (the moon) reflects the beauty of God (the Sun) so perfectly!

7. Matthew 26-29, the Lord’s supper:
26 While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; 28 for this is my blood of the[b] covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
(I don’t like the taste of alcohol on earth.)

8. Everything about the trip is so exciting and I am too excited to figure out what to say. The people, the bugs, the trees and the Church…

Laura Scharmer

This is me with some of my disciples at Columbia.  And a dog.

1. Your name, year, school, and major

Hola, I'm Laura.  I graduated from Vanderbilt University and studied International Development and French.  Now I'm still studying International Development at the University of Denver earning my Master's degree.  In between those two I was a FOCUS missionary at Columbia University (3 years!) and now I work for FOCUS Missions!!

2. If you could spend one day doing anything, what would it be?

I would wake up in a little cabin in the woods and drink coffee on the porch as the sun rose.  Then all of my favorite people would show up and we would go mountain biking in the Blue Ridge Mountains.  After that we would have a picnic by a big beautiful lake in the mountains and then we would swim and canoe and stuff like that.  The evening would bring a campfire with s'mores and guitars and we would stay up til the wee hours and look at the stars and sleep in tents. 

3. What kind of music do you listen to?

Umm I like Indie stuff, especially Indie Christian stuff.  I'm talking Josh Garrels, the Oh Hellos, Audrey Assad.  I also like Head and the Heart, Lumineers, but I could also go for classic rock, Sinatra, and anything from the 90s.  Don't make me listen to techno, please.

4. What inspires you?

OMG like all the saints because they are all so different and they became saints by becoming who God made them each to be.

Seeing others' faith and zeal really get me, and people who are strong through persecution and suffering.  So cool.

5. What countries have you traveled to/lived in?

I lived in France for 4 months, have traveled to India, Togo (West Africa), Tunisia (North Africa), Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Italy, Ireland, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Canada (does that count?)

6. Do you prefer sunrise or sunset and why?

Sunrise because it's so quiet and peaceful and everyone else is usually still sleeping.  Plus it's a start to another beautiful day.

7. What is your favorite passage in Scripture?

Do you not know?  Have you not heard?

The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stuble and fall;

but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grown weary,

they will walk and not be faint.

[Isaiah 40: 28-31]

8. What are you most excited about with this mission trip?

To witness God to awesome things in people's lives.  And to know that He is working even if we can't see it.

Can't wait to meet y'all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fransiskus: Raja Mulau

(at the summit of the 2nd highest mountain of the contiguous US...one heck of a climb!)




1. Your name, year, school, and major

Hey y'all! My name is Frank Magnetico and I'm a 6th year missionary currently in the Missions Dept. (doing what we're fixin' to go and do is my full-time job. Rad huh?) Previously I served on campus at Vanderbilt University. I attended Adams State University and Texas Tech University (Wreck'em!). Majored in Cellular & Molecular Biology and Chemistry.


2. If you could spend one day doing anything, what would it be?

What to do, what to do... Super early morning fishing off the coast followed by some surfing. Then rock climbing on the cliffs over the water and watching the sunset from up top, then a Rosary walk in the tide under the stars, and finally good conversation and laughs around a bonfire with people I love...otherwise I'd have to say: same people, but at a good ol' Texas-style gathering with good times, music, two-steppin', BBQ and all the usual suspects to go with it...simply known as a "throwdown". Mass is a given in both!


3. What kind of music do you listen to?

Rock, Texas country, salsa/merengue/bachata/all manner of ethnic types, classical, chant and so on...you name it, I probably dig some of it. Seriously.


4. What inspires you?

Talented and passionate people striving to live out holiness, someone fully living their vocation/Vocation, people who haven't lost their child-like sense of awe and wonder, Saints, and beauty manifested in God's creation; animate or otherwise.


5. What countries have you traveled to/lived in?

Traveled to: Japan, Korea, Guam, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Singapore, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Ecuador, Peru, El Salvador, Mexico. (blessed to have been all these places several times each!)
Lived in: Panama, Philippines and all over the U.S...Oh, and the Republic of Texas of course ;)


6. Do you prefer sunrise or sunset and why?

If I had to pick, I'd say sunrise. I love the early morning and watching the sun set the sky ablaze with color and light. To me, it's reminder from God for us to "begin again."


7. What is your favorite passage in Scripture?

I'm terrible with "favorites", so here are four of them:

Psalm 144:1 - "Blessed be the LORD, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle..."
Luke 9:62 - "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God."
Sirach 2:1-11 - Read it. It's good.
John 15 (especially verse 5) - Read this too.


8. What are you most excited about with this mission trip?

Everything! There's gonna be some serious Holy Spirit hot fiya on this trip! Meeting all y'all and getting to know each of you more. Being fully present in the mission. Witnessing and experiencing what happens when you leave familiarity and comfort behind and come face-to-face with Jesus Christ, who you are, and who you're meant to be. I'm excited for the unknown results of those encounters in Southeast Asia.

Joshua Wilson!

Here is a picture of me on the left and my associate Pastor on the right when I took him duck hunting this past season. I have since shaved the beard. Hopefully it will be back in some form for the start of the trip and it will be grown out throughout the trip for sure!

1. Your name, year, school, and major AND other fun stuff.

My name is Joshua Alexander Wilson. I am 21 years old and I go to the University of Louisiana in Lafayette, LA! I am currently a senior in college, but a junior in Chemical Engineering. I work at an engineering consulting company in Lafayette. My hobbies are golf, tennis, hunting, fishing, smoking (pipe/cigars/hookah/the occassional cigarette/etc.), BBQ with friends, drinking while BBQ with friends, drinking to celebrate things. I just really enjoy a good drink. Haha! I also love to dance, camp, hike, relax, shoot guns. There are a lot of things I enjoy. 

2. If you could spend one day doing anything, what would it be?

Since we are all Catholic, I'll skip all the Catholic stuff that we would all do on a given day. Let me tell y'all what one of the best days I had this year was...and I think it was one of the best because it contrasted with how hectic last semester was for me. I used to be in seminary and during the Mardi Gras holidays, one of my buddies from seminary called me and invited me to this camp with him and some of my other really good friends from my time in formation. I accepted, of course, and literally all we did was pray the liturgy of the hours when appropriate, drink, smoke, eat, fish, and play cards. It was one of the most glorious couple days. But aside from that, I would want to be with some of my best friends camping and having a great time in the outdoors. Hopefully duck hunting would be involved. Who knows. 

3. What kind of music do you listen to?

I listent to a good variety of music. I think it would be easier for me to tell y'all the music that I don't listen to. I don't listen to mainstream country, simply because it isn't country music. I don't listen to extremely hardcore ghetto rap. I don't listen to Taylor Swift. I guess that covers what I don't listen to. I listen to a lot of alternative music. A good bit of older country (Garth Brooks and George Straight). I listen to rock music. I listen to a whole lot of chill stuff too. My favorite bands off the top of my head are The Head and the Heart, City and Colour, and I can't think of who else right now. 

4. What inspires you?

Integrity, passion, and the will to do good inspire me. You don't have to be holy in any regard, or the most intelligent person in the room, or even successful. If I can see that you are a genuine person with fire and with a desire to become more than what you are, then I am inspired by you. I am inspired to help you reach that goal. I am inspired to do whatever it takes to help you get there. Something I often remember is a quote by Ernest Hemingway, "There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self." And then of course, aside from all that, I am inspired by certain saint's lives that I have truly looked into. I am inspired by my grandfather. And most importantly, I'm inspired by the fact that in God's grandeur, He has something so specific he is calling me to do, that no other created human being on this Earth is capable/fit to fulfill that need and complete that mission. 

5. What countries have you traveled to/lived in?

I have been to the United States, and a territory of the United States known as Puerto Rico.

6. Do you prefer sunrise or sunset and why?

Sunrise for sure, because I am most definitely a morning person. I cherish my sleep sooooo much haha! Plus, I see a sunrise every single time I go duck hunting (unless it's overcast) and those are some of the most perfect mornings I could ever have. 

7. What is your favorite passage in Scripture?

Isaiah 43:4 "Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you..."

The Father's love for us is something that we can never afford to doubt. Ever. 

8. What are you most excited about with this mission trip?

I'm most excited to go mission! But I'm also excited to travel, gain experience and insight into parts of the world I haven't seen yet. I am excited to grow more and delve deeper into my relationship with Jesus Christ. I am excited to meet all of you, and make memories that will last a lifetime. 

Barrett Mahoney :]

 

Me and four of my campers after they passed their swim test and moved up a level :)

1. Your name, year, school, and major

Hi!!! My name is Barrett and I go to THE University of Texas and I just finished my junior year. I'm studying Youth and Community Studies and have somehow gotten enough hours to minor in Art History and Religious Studies so that's kind of a fun combo!

2. If you could spend one day doing anything, what would it be?

I would probably spend my day at the camp that I went to and have been working at for the past three summers. I teach fishing, swim lessons, and journalism(where we hike and write about it or interview people..not lame, so fun!), and spend time with some of the greatest people I know there. At night my campers and I would stay up talking about the big ways we saw Jesus in the day the little parts of the day... how we saw His extraordinary self in what we would consider ordinary... It's my happy place. I would move there if I could :)

3. What kind of music do you listen to?

Pretty much anything.. Taylor Swift and late 90s/early 00s girly pop jams are my go-tos.

4. What inspires you?

My brothers, my dog Zulu, the archangels, art, when my Wyld Life girls understand the Gospel

5. What countries have you traveled to/lived in?

Mexico, England, France, Canada

6. Do you prefer sunrise or sunset and why?

Sunrise!!! It's the happiest time of the day. Plus, I'm a morning person :)

7. What is your favorite passage in Scripture?

John 6. The whole chapter. 

8. What are you most excited about with this mission trip?

Seeing the Universal Church in action!!!

Sean Flack !!!!

This is me pretending to sing into a fake microphone I am holding.

1. Your name, year, school, and major

I graduated from the University of Texas and I just finished serving my first year as a FOCUS missionary at The University of Louisiana in Lafayette.

2. If you could spend one day doing anything, what would it be?

I would hike through and then zipline in an amazon jungle.  I would also have Mass said there by a priest I know who does mission work in the amazon jungle!

3. What kind of music do you listen to?

All sorts.  However, like Martha (and every1 who is any1) I love TSwift.

4. What inspires you?

The Gospel. Adults who do adult things like paying bills and finding a place to live and stuff without getting frustrated.

5. What countries have you traveled to/lived in?

Texas. Louisiana. Mexico. Bahamas.

6. Do you prefer sunrise or sunset and why?

I prefer sunrise because it is way less ordinary for me to see such.

7. What is your favorite passage in Scripture?

Acts 4:20  "It is impossible for us to not speak of what we have seen and heard"

John 6:68-69  "Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God."

8. What are you most excited about with this mission trip?

Experiencing a whole new culture and seeing the Church in a crazy new way.

Me! : )

1. Your name, year, school, and major

Well, in case you haven't figured it out, my name is Martha Julie Griswold. : ) I graduated from Ave Maria with a degree in Philosophy, but since then I've served at the University of Nebraska as a FOCUS missionary for three years, and at Georgia College as team director for one year. Next year, I'm headed to University of Miami to serve as TD again. (and in case you're wondering, that's me with my little...but bigger...brother on his graduation day)

2. If you could spend one day doing anything, what would it be? Hhhmm, first I'd wake up (NOT to an alarm), drink coffee on the beach, and then go for a run. I'd go to Mass and pray a holy hour with the Lord, and then spend the rest of the day with friends hanging out, walking on the beach, and spending a lot of great quality time in the sunshine. I'd make a delicious dinner and share it with people who I love, and then spend time playing games and laughing until our stomachs hurt. 

3. What kind of music do you listen to? Mumford and Sons, The Avett Brothers, Audrey Assad, Ben Rector, and Taylor Swift...there, I said it. Don't judge me. 

4. What inspires you? Stories of the life of Jesus and the saints, and really any stories about people who show heroic sacrifice. 

5. What countries have you traveled to/lived in? Italy, Mexico, Honduras, Dominican Republic, Guyana, Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines. 

6. Do you prefer sunrise or sunset and why? I love BOTH! : )

7. What is your favorite passage in Scripture? 2nd Corinthians 12:7-10

8. What are you most excited about with this mission trip? Ummm....everything? Getting to know y'all, encountering Christ in a deeper and more intimate way, being totally stripped of the stuff that I depend on, and getting to know the people who we're there to serve.