Serving Outside the USF Community
Students look forward to summer vacation to plan trips and to see friends. However, many students use their time to take mission trips to help out third world countries. There are many organizations that help to make this possible including Impact Ministries International (IMI). This organization encourages students to step up and help make a difference.
IMI provides resources in education, economics, medical, and Spirituality to name a few. They also have a list of projects that they are currently sending volunteers to work on. These projects range from a water purification system to a child’s playground and everything in between. Stamman says, “If you have any skills in life at all, we’d love to take you. If you like agriculture, we have a lot of agriculture. Like sports, we have our own soccer field.”
One country in particular that IMI has been focusing on is Honduras. It is the second poorest country in the western hemisphere, and can be positively impacted by mission work. Volunteers that get to go on these mission trips to Honduras often get to choose what they will be doing during the trip. A volunteer can teach, build, plant, or if qualified work in the medical tent assisting patients.
Tom Stamman is the President of IMI, and his wife Teresa is also very involved in the mission work. They have had a heart for Honduras ever since their first trip in 1986. Together they put together mission teams every month to be sent out into the field to improve living conditions.
Although their current focus is in Honduras, there are ways you can get involved in trips a little closer to home. IMI is also involved in mission work around the United States. It offers opportunities for college students and others the opportunity to get involved and help those in the surrounding communities.
Teresa writes, “We are impacting lives for Him and we are so glad you want to be a part of making a difference for the Kingdom.” Their drive is God and wanting to help those who are less fortunate.
IMI is always looking for volunteers. Stamman says, “so if you have three days or three months, we’ll take you.”
Story by Jessica Justin, Jessic Perez, & Joee Taylor