May 2013

Serving Hands International newest Food Distribution partner, Samaritana Sisters was visited on May 6, 2013. Serving Hands International Field Officer recalls a simple powerful statement Sister Eva gave with regard to the epidemic of poor, “We can all help.” It is just that simple. Sisters Samaritanas has been in successful operation in Rosarito, Mexico for 20 years. The Sisters primary mission is to provide inner healing to the community. By partnering with Serving Hands Food Distribution program the sisters are now enabled to further minister to the community by providing spiritual retreats for young people, single adults and married couples. The Serving Hands Food Distribution program has also helped further expand the organization’s purpose to help less privileged communities. Thanks to the generosity of our donors and our Sponsor, A-1 Self Storage, Serving Hands Food Distribution program is making a positive impact in Rosarito today.

“Even in high, precarious places we can still get things accomplished,” stated Sister Tonita triumphantly. Just across the San Diego border, in the outskirts of Tijuana there is a community of 2,000 people in desperate need of a safe shelter in which to gather. Serving Hands International’s Portable Building Program was established to meet such a need. Two of Serving Hands 2013 portable buildings were provided to Missionaries of the Divine Mercy on May 13, 2013. These buildings will provide a safe place for the community to meet, learn and encourage hope within the region. The intended purpose of the buildings is to teach seminary courses about prayer, healing, marriage, and family to those seeking to learn. The Sisters will also utilize the buildings for the making of crafts which are sold as trinkets in help support of the goals of Missionaries of the Divine Mercy. Sister Rosie shared, “The impact made in the lives of our community members in such a short time is tremendous. It was worth every second and great effort it took to bring those large buildings to the mountaintop!” Thanks to the generosity of Serving Hands International Donors and A-1 Self Storage the portable buildings provided to this community was made possible. Through such generosity even in the highest places we can get things accomplished and bless others.

When you think of going on vacation you think of places like, Cancun Mexico, The Caribbean, Tahiti or Europe. The possibilities are endless. Not for 17 year Old Samantha “Sammi” Stotts. Sammi finished her junior year of high school in June of 2012 and instead of hanging out with friends at the mall or finding an exotic vacation retreat during her school break; Sammi caught a plane to Uganda, Africa – on a mission trip with Believer’s World Outreach. Sammi fundraised, worked and saved for her mission throughout the year. Sammi visited the “Amani Baby Cottage” in Jinja, Africa. The children in the orphanage were sent there because their families faced insurmountable challenges of poverty and diseases such as AIDS and HIV infections. Sammi shared that she did not feel like she was in a third world country until reaching the village of Kikondo after a beautiful boat ride filled with exotic plants and views through Lake Victoria. The village had homes made of sticks and mud, no clean water and people wearing torn clothes. “It was so insane to me how different these villages were.” Said Sammi. Sammi’s vacation was spent making new friends, helping to set up medical clinics seeing over 250 patients with health concerns such as Malaria, AIDS and HIV. “They have never seen what they look like because they don’t own mirrors; how crazy is that?” Sammi spent the day snapping pictures of the children and then sharing those pictures with them. “They were ecstatic; they laughed and screamed with joy.” A donation made by Serving Hands International and the owners of A-1 Self Storage to Believer’s World Outreach helped purchase medicine, clothing and supplies for the very needy children Sammi met on her trip. “It was an incredible experience and opportunity and I’m grateful that I got to experience it.” Sounds like this “vacation” was one Sammi will never forget. Participation in the mission trip was made possible thanks to the support of A1 Self Storage and generous donors like you!