Pine Ridge Indian Reservation

In many of our contemporary western lives, the people who called Turtle Island home before any trader or explorer have been resigned to “history”. We often look at their struggles and hardships as part of “the past” but we have missed so very much. It was a world changing experience to see a beautiful people, who are at this very moment, living lives with dignity, pride and love, in a world of poverty and hardship. A feeling of hope among the “hopeless”, in our terms, a way of living that escapes the western world. Working alongside the Lakota we learned a caring that fills a hole in western hearts, a love and acceptance we can’t rationalize or explain with logic. Here at Aquinas College we remember that we are called to love one another, the Lakota never needed to be called, they have done it all along.

- John Lohrstorfer, junior

Brooklyn, New York

Living and working in Brooklyn, New York, the experience was not only eye-opening, but also invigorating, saddening, appalling, jubilant, heartwarming, and hope-inspiring. As a group, thankful for the lovely accommodations provided us by the sisters and brothers of St. John the Baptist Church, we encountered a world of filth and cold, inhabited by joyous, wise, faithful, and driven people. We may have had reservations about the tasks we were assigned, like teaching math skills learned years ago, or working at an overwhelming soup kitchen. We accomplished all of these tasks and more- many of us helped with moving a literal mountain of trash bags of donated clothes in the thrift store. After this trip, my heart is stronger and I am better acquainted with the truth of this vast country. Love transforms all.

- Bridget Hibler, freshman

Dominican Republic

Students joined forces with the organization Building Bridges of Hope to provide clothing, medicine, vitamins, and medical attention to the poor living in the isolated mountain communities surrounding the town of El Llano in Aquinas’ fourth trip to Dominican Republic. Participants experienced and contributed to the inspiring work of Dr. Angel Valdez and Sister Roselyn Nicholas, who have devoted their lives to the work of the foundation, to increase the standard of living of the people in the communities they serve. Assisting with the health clinics, students distributed vitamins to children, took patients’ blood pressures, and assisted in physical examinations. The most valuable part of the experience for many, however, was the daily interaction with the children, who were simply grateful for a reason to smile.

- Emily Ferstle, senior

Nazareth Farm, West Virginia

Not very well known to the public, Naz Farm is located in the Appalachian mountains in West Virginia. This region is one of the poorest in the United States. This retreat helps emphasize four main values which include: Prayer, simplicity, service, and community. Unlike other mission trips you are asked not to use your cell phone while being down there so you can fully devote yourself. Many amazing activites occur during the week which include: climbing up into the mountains, star gazing, stations of the cross, using out houses and my personal favorite midnight bucket showers! Naz Farm was a phenomenal time for me. The people there are sensational and it was great being able to bond with other college students whom also gave their breaks up to come and help out. Naz Farm is great because you are on God’s time and you don’t have any other worries. Naz Farm was such an amazing mission trip and I totally recommend it, and hope I will be able to get to go again next year!

- William Gonsler, junior

Arcadia National Park, Maine

Working in Arcadia National Park, we spent a week living right on the ocean and volunteering to help keep the coast beautiful. Much time was spent cleaning (Ct’d. from page 2) …up Thompson Island and planting trees alone newly created trails. The students cleared brush from a top Mt. Sauveur Mountain and cleaned the carriage roads that were created by John D. Rockefeller. During our free time we were able to enjoy some of Maine’s natural beauty. Amazing ocean views along Scalene Head and Sand Beach gave time to reflect and take pictures. Challenging hikes up the Precipice Trail and a drenching at Thunder Hole provided adventure and excitement. We closed the week with a fresh cooked lobster dinner with their new friends from the National Park Service, a fitting way to end an exciting and enriching trip to the coast of Maine.

- Doug Seites