Hola! I'm Kate, I am 27 and I am currently preparing to embark on this next year as a Rostro volunteer!

 I have been working as an educator for the past five years and have been lucky enough to accompany several student groups to Ecuador on retreat immersion experiences. In fact, each trip has played a role in my discernment process. Here's how it went down...

I first went to Ecuador in November of 2014. Halfway through the week my friend, and former colleague who was chaperoning the trip with me, asked if I was going to apply to be a volunteer the following year. I told him absolutely not, he was crazy, and doing that would be a waste of my masters degree that I had just spent two years working on.

Two years later I found myself back in Ecuador leading the trip at my new school with one of my best friends as the other chaperone. About four days into our stay, while making dinner, one of the volunteers at the time turned to me and asked me if I had ever thought about being a volunteer. I told him that I had, but I was settled into a career and that I didn't want to talk about it because my boss was standing close by.

This past February I, again, found myself in Ecuador and immediately started asking myself if I was being called to stay there for longer than a week. Within 48hrs, one of my students turned to me to ask if I wished I could go back in time and be a volunteer. So I spent the entire week actively discerning the call, having conversations with current volunteers, and praying.

Sometimes when God calls, we get scared and don't recognize the number on our caller ID. It looks different, and a little scary, but He keeps calling when we don't answer. Somehow, without even realizing it, Ecuador has become a part of who I am. It's a place my soul feels safe. SO.... I jumped, and in July I'm heading back to Ecuador.  

Saint Teresa of Calcutta said, "Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love."  I see this idea as an important way to lead our lives, and our faith.  The small things we do, like sharing in conversation or spending time together can make a big difference.  

Ecuador is a place where I experience God in the "small things".  I am looking forward to continuing to be inspired by my neighbors, and I hope to grow to be more like them throughout this year.  I would appreciate any donation you can make to support my year of service and to help aid my community as we work to witness, and emulate, the Christlike love that our neighbors know so well. 

Thank you!