Serve Up - New Orleans 2014

Dear Friends & Family,

As a freshman here at the University of Maine Farmington I have blessed with countless new opportunities. This year I am going on a trip during February Break. Not only am I going, but my awesome roommate Denise Labrecque will be going as well. Together we have decided to lean on one another in fundraising and support. Having both traveled to Los Anonos, Costa Rica with our local church we share a common passion, loving and helping those who are in need. Mark 12:31 reads, "Love your neighbor as yourself." Whether it is 10,000 miles or 500 feet down the road we all can take part in the shaping and changing of this world.

This is an amazing opportunity and we are both looking forward to it. The trip is through InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, which is the Christian fellowship group in colleges throughout New England. The trip I will be going on is called Serve-Up, New Orleans. The goal of the trip is to bring support to those suffering from poverty, and to rebuild some of the areas that have yet to recover from the devastating Hurricane Katrina that brought so much pain to the city 7 years ago. Unfortunately, it is thought that it will take another 14 years before the city is completely rebuilt, and our goal is to go down and aid in this process. The trip will take place from February 14-23.

The trip has a few purposes. First, we will help with the rebuilding of houses and community buildings. Second, we will be hearing the stories of those that were affected by the hurricane. Also, we will be learning about the natural disaster and human failures associated with the devastation of New Orleans. Evenings will be spent talking about the intersections of social justice and faith and how that affects the way we live.

The trip will cost a total of $600 a person and that will cover sleeping and travel arrangements as well as most of the food.

If you are interested in sponsoring me or helping the group as a whole, please let me know by emailing me at mariahdufour@gmail.com or calling me at 207-576-0860. Checks can be made out in support of me individually and can be made payable to me so that I can send one complete check to InterVarsity or if you would like a tax deductible receipt, or to donate to the group as a whole, checks can be made out to InterVarsity. In either instance, send checks to:

Mariah Dufour

41 Riverside Drive,

Mechanic Falls ME 04256

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