January 2012 VIDES: Russell Harpring

I was born in Louisville, Kentucky, to two loving parents. Growing up, I learned Catholic values demonstrated by my parents. I went to the University of Louisville and graduated with a Masters of Engineering Degree, working with the School of Social Work and Engineering School. I have had the opportunity to travel to many places in the U.S. and am lucky enough to have visited Guatemala, Ethiopia, and South Korea. My VIDES mission site is the Dominican Republic, which is very exciting for me. I find Central American culture very interesting and felt a calling to serve there, with hopes that I can learn while doing God’s work.

At the Formation Service Camp, I have acquired various skills which will help me in my mission to serve, such as accompaniment and establishing confidence. I know the mission will teach me many lessons and help me grow both spiritually and mentally. Meeting the other volunteers at FSC has been a blessing; it’s encouraging to see other young volunteers ready to devote their time and talents for their faith and others in need.

January 2012: Thalia Ponce

My name is Thalia and I was born and raised in Austin, Texas. I am 23 years old and graduated from St. Edward’s this past May with a Bachelor’s in Communication specializing in Advertising/Marketing. I am the first generation born in the U.S. as all of my family comes from Mexico, so I have many Mexican traditions and customs in my culture. My immediate family is significantly small considering I am an only child. However, although we are a small family we are a very loving and united one that loves God and wishes to continue the Catholic tradition.

My mom and dad are a great inspiration to me, although they might not have a luxurious home or jobs they are proud of what they are, where they come from and their faith in God. They have ingrained in my being to love God and have him be a part of my everyday life. Being led by my Catholic faith I have encountered Jesus Christ, and his life, sacrifice and love for us are what most inspire me. I know I cannot compare myself to him but if I could merely do a grain of what he did on earth I would feel accomplished.

Formation camp has risen above my expectations as I never thought I would meet such diverse and wonderful people all willing to serve others and follow our Lord’s example. I am truly honored to have formed part of this program and stand along such amazing people. What most has impacted me was working with the kids of the Santa Rita community, spending time with them and teaching them about Jesus was an experience I will always remember. They were all so happy and affectionate towards us, giving us hugs and openly sharing their thoughts and knowledge about God. Having spent time with them was truly a blessing and learning experience.

January 2012 VIDES: Yaneli Vargas

 

My name is Yaneli and I am originally from Mexico but I have been living in Austin for the last nineteen years.  I graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a B.S. in nursing.  For the next few months, I plan to help Sister Gloria by doing administrative work for VIDES.  What inspired me to stay with VIDES is the fact that it embraces my Catholic values, which are very important to me.  Another important aspect about VIDES is the fact that it cares so much about the status of children and women around the world.  Having taken a global health class my last semester of school made me realize the great need for this matter and the importance to take action.  Although I will not be going to a third world country, where I can do something directly regarding this matter, I know that by working for VIDES, I am still collaborating.  The charism of the Salesians is one that cares for every human person, especially those in need.  Participating in the FSC has helped me learn so much about this charism and I know that this will be an experience and a learning that will help me grow in so many areas.

January 2012 VIDES: Natalie Fontenot

Natalie Marie Fontenot is originally from Mauriceville, Texas but is currently living in Austin and will be traveling to New York to assist VIDES at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelors of Arts in Government and Middle Eastern Studies. Natalie works for the State Legislature as a Committee Clerk and Policy Analyst for the Senate Committee on International Relations and Trade. She is involved in many community organizations in Austin like DiscoverHope Fund and the Multicultural Refugee Coalition.

Natalie was inspired to serve as a VIDES volunteer because of its dedication to serving women and youth by assisting them in finding opportunities for everyone to contribute their best self to the world. In her childhood she spent four very formative years living in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia where she attended an international school and planted the seed of her passion for international development work. During FSC camp, Natalie was further inspired by learning more about St. Mary Mazzarello and St. John Bosco and the Salesian values particularly the values of learning about being free to love as God loves and discover our authentic self.

January 2012 VIDES: Francine Gregorios

I graduated from Franciscan University of Steubenville with a degree in Business Marketing. I hope to open my own women’s clothing boutique that follows the “one-for-one” business model that TOMs shoes embodies.

The desire to learn about my own culture and ethnicity fueled the fire for me to go on mission to the Philippines. As a first-generation American it has been difficult to find my identity as a Filipino. I decided the best way to discover who I am as a Filipino is to go the Philippines. And what better way to learn about a culture than by surrounding yourself and serving in that culture?

FSC has exposed me to the beauty of Salesian spirituality through the example of Saints Don Bosco and Mary Domenica Mazzarello.

January 2012 VIDES: Christopher Gruber

Christopher Gruber was born and raised in Dallas, TX and attended Cistercian Preparatory School, providing him with a strong and vibrant community based in the Catholic faith while placing strong emphasis on the values of service and education. Christopher went on to study philosophy at Texas A&M University, specializing in personalistic and religious-existential philosophies. With the desire to give back to those most in need, Christopher joined Teach For America as a corps member in Houston, TX, teaching for inner-city elementary schools for two years. Afterward he spent some time in the non-profit sector with Big Brothers Big Sisters and returned to teach for another year in inner-city Austin. Christopher is very excited to serve in a more outwardly religious direction with VIDES, working for the Office of Human Rights at the UN in Geneva, working with subject matter and a plurality of languages which will be of help to Christopher’s ultimate goal of pursing graduate studies in philosophy. He is looking forward to growing deeper in faith and discernment through service, and very much enjoyed living in community and collaborating with and learning from others.

January 2012 VIDES: Elissa Regan

 

I grew up in Colorado with my mother, father and two sisters. After high school I moved to Oregon to attend the University of Portland where I graduated with a degree in Political Science and Social Justice. Since graduating I have lived, worked, volunteered and playing in Oregon, Washington and Alaska. I plan to go back to school for a degree in social work and hope to pursue a career working with marginalized youth.

I was inspired to serve with VIDES because of their devotion to solidarity and focus on women and youth throughout the world. I am eager to explore, to adventure and to serve, learning morning about the Salesians, different cultures, and faith.

FSC has been an incredible experience. The people and the work have been inspiring and rewarding. The lessons learned as well as the friendships developed will be great memories to carry along as I serve on mission. I am so grateful for the gifts VIDES has given me and the opportunity to serve as well as for the work they do and the blessings they bestow on all they serve.

January 2012 VIDES: Michelle Manley

I was born in Round Rock, TX and currently live in Leander. I am 22 years old and graduated from the University of Dallas with a B.S. in biology and a minor in Spanish. After my mission I hope to go to Medical School and become a doctor. My mission is in Quito, Ecuador to help nurse elderly Salesian Sisters. I joined VIDES to help expand my experiences with different cultures and backgrounds. I also felt a calling to give medical help in any way I could to those less fortunate. Being at FSC has been an amazing experience and I’ve learned so much that I will take with me on mission. The biggest lesson that I have learned is to be humble and to understand that I will not be able to help everyone in need. However if I help even a few then my mission will have been worthwhile. I am so thankful for everyone who helped to make this mission possible.

January 2012 VIDES: Nicholas Leija

My name is Nick and I live in San Antonio, Texas. I just graduated from high school in 2011 and I’ve always been active in the church and enjoyed learning and living out my faith. For the longest time I’ve tried to follow a simple rule: Always do what will get you to heaven. I’ve tried my best to live out my life as such. Whenever I had a problem I’d pray before trying to resolve it. Sometimes I’d work it out, sometimes God worked it out, and sometimes there was no way it’d ever work out. I once prayed for free food and my friend randomly walked up to me and gave me an almost full plate of food! Another time I prayed for a gold medal at one of my gymnastics meet and I got bronze and lower. It sometimes worked out, it sometimes didn’t.

I always did what I felt God was asking me to do, you know, have faith in him, comfort friends, be kind, and all that jazz. But I never expected him to speak directly to me. I figured, “I’m a lowly servant, I don’t need a voice to tell me what to do, I’m smart, I’ll get it, don’t worry about me Lord, I got you, I’ll show out.” So I didn’t need God to directly tell me what to do, I understood that the Near and Far works in mysterious, subtle ways. So when I heard a voice at adoration I was totally thrown off. From that day on I heard it, the same sentence, over and over, “There’s something wrong with this world.” Every waking day. Finally after months of being, well, annoyed at the One I said “Fine, I get it! There’s something wrong with this world! What do you want me to do about it?” Just then Sister Gloria started speaking about VIDES in mass, and I knew that’s what he meant. So here I am at VIDES formation camp, and soon will be starting my mission in San Fransisco, CA working with the youth.

January 2012 VIDES: Carmen Castillon

My name is Maria Carmen Castillon and I live in Lubbock, Texas. I have been married for 28 years and  have 7 children, each one very precious and special.

I have always had an interest in helping women and children and it probably started when I was about 9 years old. I encountered many families who had left Cuba because of the difficult situation after Castro took over, and I saw in their faces an expression of vulnerability and sadness. Mothers were doing whatever they could to make a living and provide for their children, and experienced many other struggles. This inspired me to stand up for the basic rights and dignity of a human being. I was also exposed to missionary work from the Sisters at school and the desire to serve abroad has lasted throughout my whole life.

Soon after the Haiti earthquake in 2010, I went to Port-au-Prince to help the Sisters with whatever needed to be done. Out of the 6 schools run by the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (Salesian Sisters), 5 had been destroyed by the natural disaster. 30 orphans resided at the Provincial House, which did not collapse. Tent camps were set up outside the schools/ convents, and over 20,000 people lived there and were cared for by the Sisters.

After Haiti, I traveled to Geneva, Switzerland and spent time working at the United Nations. Seeing the buildings, the flags, the famous chair, the conference halls with all the representatives, and actually participate on the debates, was truly an experience of a life time!  But my heart was there since the very beginning, having the opportunity to speak and relate my experience in Haiti and to plead for the imperative mandate for continuous education for children in disasters, war, and refugees areas. What more could I have asked for? The Lord guides us in many directions and puts us where we can be at his service; we just need to be docile to his word.  I thank VIDES for this golden opportunity!

I think of VIDES- FSC as a net: All of us missioners had many ideas, expectations, fears, all in strings and little by little we started to weave them by understanding and putting them into perspective, so they have become a net. This net will be our support, guidance and our safety!