Getting to Know ABST Mexico: Dan Carr

Hola Familia y Amigos! 

As our third spotlight, we'd like to introduce to you to our Technical Coordinator for the blog, Mr. DAN CARR! 

Mr. Carr is a senior PHILOSOPHY major at Gannon as a Roman Catholic seminarian.

Read below as we highlight a little more about Dan! 

Q: Why Mexico? 

A: I took 5 years of Spanish and have never used it.  It'd be a great chance to both help people and see a different culture, language, and faith perspective.

Q: What is one thing you'd like to learn more about before venturing to Mexico? 

A:  More Spanish! 

Q: What do you consider words to live by?

A: "Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words." - St. Francis of Assisi

Q: If there were ten more hours in a day, what would you do?

A:  I would read everything I could get my hands on (but I'd probably just end up watching a lot of YouTube videos and playing video games, lol). 

Q: If you were stranded on a desert island with only one object, what would you want that object to be? 

A: A cell phone with reception and GPS.  Desert islands are for the 20th century.

Q: What is something you find interesting about yourself? 

A: I enjoy computer programming as a hobby. 

Q: What is one of your personal attributes that you feel will contribute to the positive growth/outcome of the trip?

A: My ability to go with the flow and make the best of a tough situation. 

Q: What is your dream job? 

A: Being a parish priest someday, God willing.

Q: What food item do you believe Wegman's should always include in their buffet? 

A: What's a Wegman's?!? I like spaghetti...

Q: What inspires you? 

A:People searching for answers and lifting others up (philosophic enough for you?).

Getting to Know ABST Mexico: Linden Lester

Feliz Navidad Familia y Amigos! 

From all of the ABST Mexico participants, we're hoping that you were surrounded by the WARMTH and JOY of the Christmas holiday and that this joy carries over into the new year.
As our second spotlight, we'd like to introduce you to the adventurous LINDEN LESTER.

Linden is a sophomore Early Childhood Education and Special Education major. Scroll below to get to know Linden as a key player in our group! 

Q: Why Mexico? 

A: I went to Guatemala last year, but I enjoy that Mexico has a lot of work involving children.  Since I am an education major I am very excited for that.

Q: What is one thing you'd like to learn more about before venturing to Mexico? 

A:  The education system and teaching. 

Q: What do you consider words to live by?

A: Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. 

Philippians 4:6-7

Q: If there were ten more hours in a day, what would you do?

A:  I would have enough time and money to travel the world and see as many countries as I can.

Q: If you were stranded on a desert island with only one object, what would you want that object to be? 

A: a camera. 

Q: What is something you find interesting about yourself? 

A: Tie Dye is my choice of clothing on most days.  I probably have enough tie dye to go a month straight and not wear the same one over.

Q: What is one of your personal attributes that you feel will contribute to the positive growth/outcome of the trip?

A: My go with the flow attitude.  I don't get stressed out easily, whatever happens is what is meant to happen so there is no need to worry.

Q: What is your dream job? 

A: Teaching in impoverished countries. 

Q: What food item do you believe Wegman's should always include in their buffet? 

A: Fried macaroni and cheese bites. 

Q: What inspires you? 

A: My family.  They have always been there for me and supported whatever crazy venture I was up to and backed me 100%.

Getting to Know ABST Mexico: Katie Kapp

Hola Familia y Amigos- 

So as to make this as full an experience as possible, we'd like to introduce you to all the members that make up team ABST Mexico before we venture to Merida in March!

Every day this week we will do a member spotlight on someone in our team. 

We thought it'd be fitting to first introduce you to our blog moderator, the lovely Katie Klapp! We're grateful to Katie for stepping up to the plate with the task of maintaing our blog.

Here's a little more about Katie: 

Q: Why Mexico? 

A: I took Spanish for 3 years in high school, and I enjoyed learning both the language and culture. Plus, I’ve always wanted to travel outside of the U.S. & Canada.

Q: What is one thing you'd like to learn more about before venturing to Mexico? 

A: Since Merida is in the Yucatan, the Mayan culture is still present in today's culture. I think it would be interesting to see how the Spanish/Mexican culture interacts with the Mayan roots in daily life.

Q: What do you consider words to live by?

A: Don't forget to smile every once in a while. 

Q: If there were ten more hours in a day, what would you do?

A:  Read, write, and sleep more.

Q: If you were stranded on a desert island with only one object, what would you want that object to be? 

A: a Bible

Q: What is something you find interesting about yourself? 

A: I was valedictorian of my high school class.

Q: What is one of your personal attributes that you feel will contribute to the positive growth/outcome of the trip?

A: My dedication - I always put my best foot forward in everything I do, and I try to do everything whole-heartedly.

Q: What is your dream job? 

A: Anything I enjoy that would improve people's lives

Q: What food item do you believe Wegman's should always include in their buffet? 

A: I've never been in a Wegman's because there aren't any Wegman's where I live.

Q: What inspires you? 

A: Success in the face of adversity, and also music. 

¡Bienvenidos! Welcome!

¡Hola amigos! Hello Friends!

Welcome to the blog for the 2014 Gannon University Alternative Break Service Trip (ABST) to Mérida, Mexico! There are 10 of us going, 2 faculty members and 8 students (we’ll introduce ourselves soon). We will leave on Saturday, March 1 for Mérida, and return on Saturday, March 8.

Mérida is located on the Yucatán Peninsula:

While there, we will have the opportunity to immerse ourselves in the local culture, which draws influences from both the Mexican culture and the ancient Mayans. We are especially excited to witness Carnival, an annual festival before Lent, which will be going on from February 27 – March 4!

While we are in Merida, we will be staying at and serving La Misión de Amistad (The Mission of Friendship). Through the Mission, we will have the opportunity to work with various programs, such as:

• Nueva Vida – A place where young girls can go for tutoring and enrichment classes from noon to 7 p.m. every day; we will be putting together a skit with the girls
• Amiguitos Day Care Center – A place where infants to 3-year-olds can stay while their mothers work
• A Medical Dispensary – Provides low-cost doctor visits, medical care, and medicine to low-income citizens
• Amigos – A sponsorship program that pairs American families with families from the Yucatán
• Sister Parishes – Since 1971, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie has been in partnership with the Yucatán Diocese. This partnership serves to provide an intercultural exchange and a unity in Christ.

We invite you to follow us on our journey through this blog, which we will update on a regular basis. In the next couple weeks, we will introduce ourselves to you!

A trip like this is truly once in a lifetime.  We appreciate any support you can offer us, both spiritually and financially. You can donate at www.gannonalumni.org/abstmexico. Thank you very much!

¡Feliz Navidad y Prospero Nuevo Año!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!