Jan Donohue

Here I am Lord". That is what I tearfully whispered in church the week after my husband died, and God lovingly reminded me of the dream I once had of becoming a missionary. From that moment, I pursued the possibility and found the organization called Lay Mission-Helpers. They encouraged me, accepted my application and now, after six months of paperwork, perseverance, and prayer, I am beginning the adventure of a lifetime. With God's help and grace, your prayers, and my children's support, I will serve by teaching English in Africa. It hasn't been an easy decision or without stumbling blocks but as I leave for the mission house and my four months of preparation, I can honestly say, "I have heard HIM calling in the night".

-Jan Donohue

Newburn Family

We are preparing for the adventure of a lifetime! It is a big change to leave our home, our friends, and our parish community of almost nine years. We have been so enriched and blessed by so many of you! Thank you for loving us and supporting us.

We will be living in Los Angeles at the Mission House for almost five months. There will be eighteen of us in the house, including one other family with children about the same age as ours. While the kids are attending St John Chrysostom School in Inglewood, we will have formation and discussions in various topics to prepare us for mission, including theology, Bible study, missiology, cross-cultural issues, and personal and spiritual development.

Amidst a lot of uncertainty, we are very excited about this opportunity to "share our gifts, live our faith, and change the world--and let the world change us!" (the motto of Lay Mission Helpers). We are confident that God is calling us, and that He will be faithful to provide for us and bless us in all sorts of new and exciting ways!

-Peter, Joy, Joshua, Jessica, and Emily

Kathleen Mathews

Here are some thoughts from another one of our candidates for mission:

"My name is Kathleen Mathews and I have the privilege of being accepted into the formation program to become a Lay Mission-Helper.

This process began for me last year, as I found LMH through the Internet. I was previously part of a 10 day medical/construction/pastoral Catholic missionary group to Honduras. The experience changed my life and my priorities. I began looking into long term missionary commitments, thus finding LMH and filling out the extensive paperwork and joining others for the weekend discernment this past September. Much to my delight I was accepted into the program.

I am now filled with excitement, fear, and anxiety as I am beginning this journey. I have the support of many of my family and friends, with others believing that I have lost my mind! I can only say that I pray constantly about this life changing decision and the only reason I am doing this is I truly feel a calling from God. I have been so very blessed in my life and after witnessing the abject poverty and need of so many in Honduras I feel the calling to give back and share my gifts with others and hopefully touch others lives.

Please keep me in your prayers, I really need them!!

Thank you,

Kathleen"