Meet Our Volunteers

Hometown: Lausby, Maryland

University: University of Maryland (M.S.), Juniata College (B.S.)

Major: Environmental Science

Where do you serve now: Benque Viejo del Carmen, Belize

How did you find out about SOLT: Cross Catholic Outreach Mission trip with home parish to Belize

How did God call you: I thoroughly enjoyed my experience in the Cross Catholic mission and we happened to stop in Benque Viejo for the last day of our trip and attend a Friday morning mass at Mount Carmel High School. I felt I had grown in service through the mission trip and continuing to serve in Belize through teaching seemed like the natural next step.

Favorite part of mission life: I grew up camping a lot through Boy Scouts, so the Outdoor Leadership Adventure with John Paul II Junior College's incoming students is my favorite. Playing a role in the students' growth in confidence, community, and discipleship over the course of this week of adventure in the "bush" has been my favorite experience in mission life.

Hometown: Lenexa, KS

University: Drake University

Major: Secondary Education and Environmental Science

Where do you serve now: Mount Carmel High School, Benque Viejo, Belize

How did you find out about SOLT:  I found out about SOLT through my work with FOCUS (the Fellowship of Catholic University Students).

How did God call you:  I served three years as a FOCUS missionary working with college students at the University of Connecticut. I knew Jesus was calling me out of FOCUS and onto something else in order to more seriously discern my Vocation to consecrated life. The mission in Belize with SOLT sort of fell into my lap!

Favorite part of mission life:  You have no choice but to detach and surrender to the Lord here in so many ways! It is can be very challenging but very beautiful. I love the daily challenge of teaching high school while living life in a developing country.

Hometown: Panama City, FL

University: Gulf Coast State College

Major: Business Administration and Management

Where do you serve now: Benque Viejo Del Carmen, Belize

How did you find out about SOLT:  Originally, Sister Miriam James Heidland came to my parish in the diocese of Pensacola- Tallahassee, for a retreat at my church. I was so intrigued by her joy, her story, and her freedom. I was already curious about doing mission work and/or discerning religious life, so I did some research about SOLT. I learned that they had mission bases all over the place. Fast forward a couple of years, I graduate college, start applying for different mission opportunities, I had completely forgotten about SOLT and how much I loved the apostolate. Then as I was applying I was speaking with someone at FOCUS when someone else overheard who had done the mission to Belize with SOLT before. They said I should look into the mission in Belize. I remembered that I loved SOLT at one point and it had slipped from my mind so upon looking into the mission this person shared with me, I decided I had to pursue it.

How did God call you:  Hmmm.... I first felt the calling to do mission work when I volunteered to help as teen hospitality at a Steubenville conference. During a time of prayer, I saw myself being scourged by Jesus. My flesh was being ripped open and it was nasty and painful but very vivid and very real. I thought to myself, "Jesus why? Why are you doing this? I thought you loved me." His response was pure Love. He said, "I'm tearing you apart, ripping you to shreds to rebuild you for what I have created you for." Going into that night I thought I had it all figured out. I would be married, have children, and serve as Core Team with the LIFETEEN group at my church. A comfortable Catholic life right? Well in this prayer, all of that was shattered. In that moment Jesus said, "Yeah, maybe you'll be married and serve with LIFETEEN but you could also be a missionary OR a religious sister." He was saying that all these ideas I had for myself didn't matter, they were small. He was calling me to so much more than I could ever imagine. A life full of more beauty and more love than just being 'comfortable.' Two years after that, I went on a week-long trip to Haiti. As we were driving through Port Au Prince, I imagined Mother Teresa walking down the streets pulling these people out of ditches and piles of trash to love them and help them realize their human dignity and worth and I wanted to join her. It was a very powerful week in Haiti. My team unexpectedly got to take part in almost every corporal work of mercy including burying the dead. My soul was on fire for this work and for the way I could see Him moving and working in my life and the lives of others. I knew after that I would leave everything behind, at least for a year, to be on mission for Him and with Him and to let Him work in me.

Favorite part of mission life:  My favorite part of mission life so far has been being challenged to depend fully on Jesus. I've been challenged to grow in a lot of ways, directly by priests and spiritual direction and indirectly by living with a diverse group of people in community. I'm being pushed to love in ways I've never loved before, and really just handing it over to Jesus at the end of the day and asking Him to give me the strength to go do it all again tomorrow.

Hometown: St. Charles, IL

University: Loras College

Major: Elementary Education

Where do you serve now? Our Lady of Mount Carmel High School in Benque Viejo, Belize

How did you find out about SOLT? SOLT had a table at a Catholic college student conference in January of 2018, put on by FOCUS, called SLS. I met a pretty rad priest, Fr. Mark Wendling, at the SOLT table. He told me to apply to teach in Belize so I did!!

How did God call you? God called me to serve when I went on two mission trips my junior year of college; to Haiti and Honduras. It was on those trips that He showed me who I was and what He wanted me to do with my life. He made this clear to me through each interaction I had with the Haitians and Hondurans. The people of these beautiful countries awakened the desire I had in my heart to know, love, and serve God. While on these mission trips, I heard the same message from God, to go and serve by teaching in another country. I am so thankful He revealed a glimpse into His plan for my life.

Favorite part of mission life? My favorite part of mission life is the Benque and volunteer communities I get to be a part of. I love spending time with the people in Belize, whether that is in prayer, at mass, exploring Central America, or a home cooked, authentic Belizean meal. The people I have gotten to know here bring such joy and authentic witness to the love God has for us.

Hometown: Benque Viejo del Carmen, Belize

University: John Paul II Junior College

Major: Associate Degree in Liberal Arts

Where do you serve now? I teach Ecclesiology at John Paul II Junior College (I know. W I L D)

How did you find out about SOLT? I've been surrounded by SOLT priests and Sisters all my life

How did God call you? I didn't really know what I wanted to do after I graduated from JPIIJC, I just knew that I wanted to be a volunteer in some capacity. Then one of my teachers at the time (she's now a postulant with SOLT) told me that I should become a SOLT missionary. So I did :)

Favorite part of mission life? Getting to witness year after year how people from all sorts of backgrounds come to find themselves by emptying themselves in service of others. It never gets old.

Hometown: Longmont, CO

University: University of Colorado Boulder

Major: Poli Sci/ Political Theory

Where do you serve now? Benque Viejo del Carmen, Belize

How did you find out about SOLT? friends

How did God call you? Through a combination of circumstances as I looked for a task that would use my late-in-life calling of teaching, especially philosophy and liberal arts.

Favorite part of mission life? Teaching students who are eager to learn, in an environment where Catholic truth is treated as real--even if we do not shove it down students' throats. And also the fellowship with a great bunch of young people.

Hometown: Bessemer, MI

University: Northern Michigan University 

Major: Post-Secondary Biology Education 

Where do you serve now? MCHS and JP2

How did you find out about SOLT? FOCUS Mission Trip 

How did God call you? I went on a FOCUS mission trip with FR. Wendling as our Chaplin and after 2 short weeks of being in Belize the the Lord was doing something in my life. I still cannot explain exactly the ways he was working on me but it was amazing. By the time I got off the plane, I knew I was being called back to Belize, so 2 weeks later I went back to Belize to serve for a year. That one year has now turned into three and Belize absolutely has my whole heart. The people, the culture, the beauty, and the presence if God is something indescribable here. 

Favorite part of mission life? The spontaneous adventures and quality time I get to spend with people. I was never a people person but now I can't imagine my life without all the beautiful people that surround me daily.

Hometown: Windsor, Colorado

University: Benedictine College

Major: Journalism and Mass Communications

Where do you serve now? Benque Viejo del Carmen, Belize

How did you find out about SOLT? I think the way I found out about SOLT and the way God called me are so closely intertwined that I couldn't mention one facet without the other. I had my dreams set on moving to Madrid, Spain after college and was about ready to take the necessary steps to solidify the process. Right before I was about to hit submit on the payment button that would have changed my life I felt this weird tug at my heart. Much to my surprise the Lord let my dreams of living in Madrid shatter before my eyes because of the unforseen circumstances that arose. Not long after I stumbled upon a SOLT priest who was at Benedictine for a vocations fair and was introduced to SOLT's mission. After the brief conversation I was sold. Even though my post-grad plans changed in less than a week, I have never felt more peace about such a life-altering encounter.

How did God call you? I'd like to say that God gently and gradually called me to life as a SOLT missionary but I'd be fooling everyone if I didn't say otherwise. The best way I can describe how the Lord called me to Benque goes a little something like this: For MONTHS I was knocking at this door called Madrid that I desperately wanted to walk through. I was ready to start a life overseas and immerse myself in a new culture. I was nervous, but after the months of research I felt prepared and was ready to finally be let in through the door. But, for some reason, the knocking continued and I could never successfully find away to get through the door. After many failed attempts and roadblocks I think the Lord was finally done watching me knock at a door that would never be opened. So, instead he threw me through another door. And, no, the throw wasn't hard but it's the best way I can think to describe how I felt about being introduced to SOLT life in Benque. It felt so effortless on my part. There was nothing I had to fight or knock at to be let in. It was almost as if the door He put me through was made just for me. That's when I knew that Benque Viejo would become more than just a fun extravaganza in an unknown place, but it would become a cornerstone for my formation and growth as a person.

Favorite part of mission life? Simple answer. The Benque community. Even though I have only been here for a few months, my students and the community members are quickly becoming some of the biggest blessings in my entire life.
Maybe I'll be able to fully articulate all the fruits that have come in a year or two. But, for now, I am just admiring the ways that the Lord uses the simple encounters to remind me of His goodness and the goodness that lies within each one of us.
Gosh and what a beautiful way to fall more in love with this life the Lord has given me. There is no better way to see Him than in the faces of those around you!

Hometown: Sioux Falls, SD

University: Benedictine College

Major: Mathematics and Secondary Education

Where do you serve now? MCHS, Benque Viejo, Belize

How did you find out about SOLT? I help with and coordinated the Vocations Fair at Benedictine, so I first met Fr. Mark through that.

How did God call you? My band director was a previous SOLT volunteer and told me I should be one. Then Fr. Mark told about the opportunity. Then they both cornered me my senior year. After I had interviewed at a couple of schools and hadn’t found the right fit, my mom suggested maybe I should do a year of mission instead like my sister. That brought up SOLT in my mind, so I applied, I was accepted, and it felt like the perfect fit.

Favorite part of mission life? I love seeing the how the different culture praises and worships the Lord. I think the differences are so beautiful because everyone gets to lift up their way of life and culture and celebration. People give all that they have including their culture to worship the Lord.

Hometown: Shawnee, KS

University: Oklahoma State University

Major: Accounting

Where do you serve now? Benque Viejo

How did you find out about SOLT? I found out about SOLT while on a FOCUS mission trip to Belize City the summer of 2018!

How did God call you? Upon my return to the states I was feeling completely dissatisfied with all options I was finding for jobs to apply for. I couldn’t shake the desire to return to Belize and I didn’t know what to do. My friend emily who went on the first trip with me told me I should request information about the Benque Mission. I applied about a month later!

Favorite part of mission life? I love living in a community! Being able to spend quality time with fellow missionaries, and having a chance to see students outside of school is awesome.

Hometown: Buffalo, NY

University: University at Buffalo

Major:  Physics and Mathematics

Where do you serve now: Benque Viejo

How did you find out about SOLT:  A former volunteer was my high school teacher.

How did God call you:  I thought that God was calling me through different conversations I had with the veteran missionaries and through the priests.

Favorite part of mission life:  I find the daily community prayer and Mass very enriching in my spiritual life. Praying with the whole community both orients us all towards God and provides us with a sense of unity.

Hometown: Vancouver, Washington

University: Washington State University

Major: Business Management

Where do you serve now: I work at St. Ignatius High School in Belize as a religion teacher and campus minister.

How did you find out about SOLT:  I heard about the mission from a friend's sister who served a few years ago.

How did God call you:  I watched a promotional video and knew deep within my soul that I was supposed to come to Belize.

Favorite part of mission life:  What gives me life is seeing students accept Jesus into their lives.

Hometown: Steubenville Ohio

University: Franciscan University

Major: Theology and Catechetics

Where do you serve now: Benque, Belize

How did you find out about SOLT:  Past Volunteers

How did God call you:  He put mission on my heart and the only mission I really knew about was in Belize. I googled SOLT Belize and just fell in love with the charism of SOLT. As soon as I filled out the application I was flooded with a deep sense of peace and joy and zeal for God’s work in Belize. That conviction hasn’t left me since.

Favorite part of mission life:  Loving the students!!!!

Hometown: Muncie, IN

University: Ball State University

Major: Spanish

Where do you serve now? Mt. Carmel High School in Benque Viejo, Belize!

How did you find out about SOLT? I heard about SOLT from my campus minister when I was a sophomore in college. As I was preparing for graduation and looking for an opportunity to serve Christ, a roommate put me in contact with a friend of hers who had served at this mission. I applied as soon as she told me about her experience!

How did God call you? Throughout my senior year of college, I was praying with the desires on my heart, which included the desire to teach, the desire to utilize my Spanish education, the desire to work with high school students, and the desire to live in the context of a Catholic community. After other doors closed on my path, this mission came to the front of my heart and mind. I experienced deep peace and joy throughout the application process, and I remember praying, "Lord, I am going to say yes if this door opens. So if this is not what You have in mind for me, please make it blatantly obvious." The peace and joy remained, and when I discovered that I was accepted as a missionary to serve with SOLT, my answer was an ecstatic YES! 

Favorite part of mission life? There are a myriad of blessings that Christ pours into our hearts in this mission. One of my favorite parts of mission life is the opportunity for daily prayer and Mass. It is an incredible gift to receive from the Source of Love Himself and then to share that love with my students, the other missionaries, and the community that surrounds me. I am being challenged in new ways every day, and with those challenges comes an opportunity to lean into God's grace and learn how little I am and how GREAT He is. I wouldn't trade those challenges for anything, because it is through the Cross that we learn to love and are shaped into Christ's image.

Hometown: Longmont, Colorado

University: The University of Washington

Major: English

Where do you serve now? Benque Viejo del Carmen, Belize

How did you find out about SOLT? Through our son, Elijah, who knew people from Thomas Aquinas College who served in Benque. 

How did God call you? Through hearing about the mission from other volunteers.

Favorite part of mission life? The people.

Hometown: Benque Viejo del Carmen

University: John Paul II Junior College

Major: Liberal Arts with a concentration in English

Where do you serve now? SOLT Mission In Benque Viejo, Belize: Specifically at the Parish

How did you find out about SOLT? I heard the term SOLT for the first time through Dcn. Dave Brokke. At the time he was just Mr. David Brokke and he taught my two older siblings Religion class. This was about 7 years ago. I realized all the volunteers who were teaching us at the high school belonged to the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity. From then on, there would be a lot more great things that I would learn from the Society.

How did God call you? God called me through a deep desire to serve my community and through the bonds of friendship that were already established with some of my teachers and even Fr. Beau. It was interesting. I think I was going in the opposite direction in which God wanted me to walk. I was studying at the University of Belize for a Bachelor's in English Education. That experience was very secular and was disintegrating my faith. It was probably like the story of Jonah that had to go to Nineveh but was deciding to go on a different path. God still brought him back with a whale. I don't know what the whale could be but I do recall it was a bit dark before getting to serve in the community. God snapped his fingers and suddenly all things shifted when doors were being closed and new doors were being opened. 

Favorite part of mission life? Seeing Christ in those whom we serve. Most of the missionaries serve as teachers. I also have to be a teacher, to the little ones. I train altar servers and give Confirmation catechesis to students at the primary school level. It's reflective of hearing Christ's word, "Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”

Hometown: Newtown, PA

University: Franciscan University of Steubenville, OH

Major: Theology & Catechetics

Where do you serve now? Benque Viejo, Belize

How did you find out about SOLT? My school sends students on a mission trip to Belize every year to serve with SOLT for one week over Spring Break. A lot of my friends went on that mission trip, including my sister, and I always heard such amazing things about the SOLT community, the people of Benque, and of course the students. 

How did God call you? The day after I graduated from Franciscan, I found out from a friend that they were still looking to fill positions to be missionary teachers in Belize. I had always been interested but never gave it too much thought. I think God let the idea sort of creep up on me, so that when I was presented with this news that there were positions open, I was ready to go for it! I spoke with a missionary who was serving in Benque at the time, but was getting ready to go home, and I was so inspired by how highly she spoke of the students. But mostly, I was touched by her explanation of how greatly these students need love. I had been praying for months that God place me wherever He most needed me, and I couldn't deny that this was an answer to my prayers!

Favorite part of mission life? I can say for sure that I have fallen in love with life here! My students are absolutely amazing and make me so excited to go to school and get to spend time with them, showing them God's love. The availability of the sacraments is such a gift, and community life has been so life-giving. Jesus is so present in this mission and continues to show me His love every day!

Hometown: Naperville, IL

University: University of Kansas

Major: Secondary Education

Where do you serve now? Benque Viejo, Belize

How did you find out about SOLT? I found out about SOLT at a FOCUS conference in Indianapolis

How did God call you? I visited Belize on a 12 day mission trip with SOLT in the spring and felt God calling me to come back as an aspirant to further discern a vocation with SOLT.

Favorite part of mission life? We have schedules that allow us to stay firmly rooted in prayer and the sacraments, with three incredible priests and a fantastic ecclesial family team serving here in Benque, Christ is very present!

Hometown: Louisville, KY

University: University of Louisville

Major: Sport Administration 

Where do you serve now? Mount Carmel High School

How did you find out about SOLT? From a past volunteer who served 13 years ago. 

How did God call you? I knew I wanted to serve as a missionary after I finished college but I was looking for something that was 1-3 months long and focused around construction work. When a past volunteer told me about the mission in Belize with SOLT, I thought that it sounded interesting but there were a few issues. I wanted something focused on construction (definitely not teaching) and I did not want to serve a year because I had never been out of the country before. I continued to pray about where God wanted me to serve and something in me just wouldn't let Belize slip out of my head. So, I "told" God that I would go ahead and apply to be a teacher at Mount Carmel High School. If I got in, even though I was applying late, it would be God telling me that I'm supposed to serve in Belize. It's truly a miracle in some ways that I actually made it here and I'm still in awe that I get to serve God all the way in Central America. 

Favorite part of mission life? Being surrounded by other young Catholics that are all striving to grow closer to God. ( Also the people in Benque :)

Hometown: Springfield, MA

University: University of Massachusetts Amherst

Major: Finance and Sport Management

Where do you serve now? Benque Viejo, Belize

How did you find out about SOLT? My neighbor who was previously involved with SOLT tagged me in a video with a mission trip that SOLT was running in May. As it turns out he had found out about SOLT through my family, my grandparents were volunteers back when SOLT was founded.

How did God call you? Through the two week mission trip in May, I fell in love with the community and after making changes to my prayer life, the call to serve become very clear. God had to make it very clear for me, and I definitely resisted at times, but the act of praying for his will each day led to a clearer calling.

Favorite part of mission life? This is a very difficult question to answer. I have loved each and every moment of it. My life has been most positively impacted by the opportunities for prayer and the changes that has allowed me to make in growing closer to God. The community is so incredible and has helped each of us grow in love and virtue daily. The reality is that in the end the best part is probably just the act of giving up your life to God's control, He is able to lead my life so much better then I could and has transformed me from a little boy into a man of faith. On mission you have to abandon yourself and give your all to the greater good, which is essentially living the love Jesus came to give us.

Hometown: Wahoo, Nebraska

University: Benedictine College

Major: Accounting and Finance, Minor in Theology

Where do you serve now? Mount Carmel High School

How did you find out about SOLT? I met Father Mark on a mission trip through FOCUS, because of this mission trip I kept in contact with Father Mark. 

How did God call you? I was here on a mission trip in May with SOLT. Through serving here in Benque Viejo, I felt a deeper call to poverty then the life I had planned to live when I returned to the States. I remember the first day that I was here and a volunteer told me the school was in need of a Business Teacher. I felt my heart jump as if this was for me. I wrestled with this call while I was here wondering how it could be possible. Then on our last day here during holy hour, I wrote down in my journal 'I am called'. I cast all fears aside and pursued the Lord through this call to serve in Benque. 

Favorite part of mission life? My favorite part of mission is teaching my students. Especially when Sister Mary Rachel leads them in chapel once a week. It is a blessing that I can sit with my students in front of the Blessed Sacrament, even though they may have no clue what they are doing. The Lord has continually invited me into a deeper type of intercessory prayer through being with the students as they too are praying.