In a world where many are fortunate enough to enjoy comfort and stability, a group of dedicated volunteers is stepping outside their comfort zones to make a difference. Through meaningful mission trips in El Salvador many of our parishioners, adults, and teens alike, provide vital support and hope to communities in need, an impact that goes far beyond the mission trip itself.

St. Ann parishioner Anthony J. Leonardo, has been a key figure in these mission trips, participating in his fourth journey this year. His involvement began in 2017, and since then, he has witnessed firsthand the transformative power of these trips. “The poverty level encountered is unique to third world countries and the experience of living among the new culture for a week is unique. Teens experience something that for most of them is a first-time experience.” said Tony. “The poverty there was something that I couldn’t even describe. It’s so different from the US. Everyone kept on waiting for the good part of town and it just never came.” Said Zoe Tong, senior at Wheeler High School.

St. Ann parishioner and University of Georgia incoming freshman, Tim Boland, said seeing this poverty made his “problems feel very small because they live with problems a lot bigger” He said it made him see how fortunate he is even in the smallest areas he takes for granted.

The mission trips are more than just acts of charity; they are a profound exchange of love and gratitude. Volunteers visit communities that have long been supported by Unbound, an organization dedicated to helping those in need and break into teams to engage in hands-on work building homes for families. Community members warmly welcome the volunteers, showering them with appreciation, sharing meals, and celebrating mass together all acts of love to show their appreciation. Once finished, the new homes are blessed by a priest and handed over to their new owners, leaving a long-lasting bond that serves as a testament to the international spirit of charity.

“I really loved the hospitality of the families.” Said Tim Boland. “The family that we were building a house for was very welcoming and very loving and spent a lot of time with us while building the house. I made friends with the children that I was building a house for and I knew most everyone on the trip but I became much deeper friends with everyone I was working with.”

“Everyone talked to me about how joyful these people were, so I was expecting to see that, but I never could have imagined what I would experience on this trip, the memories I would make and the friends I would have. That was very cool.” said Tong.

The impact of these missions is both immediate and enduring. According to Leonardo, the benefits extend across generations. “The little we do has multi-generational impacts,” he explains. The homes built and the relationships formed help bridge cultural divides and foster positive perceptions between Salvadorans and Americans. Moreover, the children who receive these homes often grow up with a sense of gratitude and a desire to pay it forward.”

The mission trips to El Salvador remain a testament to the enduring power of generosity and the profound connections forged through shared service. These trips not only provide immediate relief to an impoverished society but also plant seeds of hope and resilience that turn into fruits of friendship and gratitude for generations to come.