BE ACTIVE FOR A GOOD CAUSEThank you to the 100-plus Unbound Trailblazers who walked or ran in the 5K, 10K and half marathon events at the Hospital Hill Run June 5-6 in Kansas City — raising awareness and funds for Unbound’s work around the world. If you enjoy walking, running, cycling or similar activities, you can be a Trailblazer, too. Visit unboundtrailblazers.org to find out how to get involved in your community.

GET READY FOR ADVENTUREHave you thought about traveling on an awareness trip with Unbound but wondered, “What would I do on the trip? What would accommodations be like? How would I prepare to travel internationally?” Our print materials and our website, unbound.org/trips, are excellent resources. We also have team members available to answer your questions and guide you on an adventure of a lifetime. Contact us at (800) 875-6564 or trips@unbound.org to learn more.

ADVENTURE

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JULY 2015

IMPACT

For Unbound sponsor Jesse Fabian, going on an Unbound

Awareness Trip was the last thing he wanted to do. But

his wife, Cecilia Spearing, was persistent about visiting

their sponsored child Princess in the Philippines.

“I said, ‘I don’t need to go there; it’s a mission trip,

they’re going to try to put a lot more religion down my

throat,’” Jesse shared. “I didn’t want it, and she kept

saying, ‘No, let’s go.’ And it changed my life.”

The couple’s first awareness trip was in 2010. They

have since gone on three additional trips, visiting Kenya,

Uganda, Costa Rica and, most recently, Guatemala. But

that first trip stuck with Jesse.

“I said to Cecilia afterwards, ‘You know, this is the best

trip that I’ve ever been on,’” Jesse said. “I said, ‘I could not

go to a 5-star hotel and be fulfilled as much as I am now.’ I

went home, I looked, and things were different. I had much

more appreciation for what we had. I said, ‘We can sponsor

more children.’ At the time we were just sponsoring one.

But it was so important after we met the people.”

Unbound’s awareness trips are different from most

mission trips. Our trips focus on the people we serve.

Travelers not only meet the person they’re helping, but

gain a better understanding of the challenges of poverty

their sponsored friend must face.

COME AND SEE

A group of sponsors visit a community in Guatemala where Unbound works. Each year, hundreds of travelers see Unbound’s

programs firsthand by going on awareness trips.

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1 ELMWOOD AVENUE, KANSAS CITY, KS 66103 800.875.6564 MAIL@UNBOUND.ORG UNBOUND.ORG ©UNBOUND 2015

Francisco Chavajay is the awareness trip coordinator for

the Hermano Pedro office in Guatemala. He has been in the

position since 2011 and has witnessed hundreds of meetings

between sponsors and the people they support.

“It’s very hard to point out a single thing that makes these

trips so special,” he said. “I believe sponsors appreciate the fact

that our people invite them to step into their life and become

part of their family, and vice versa. We [staffers] can talk and

explain things to sponsors, but when they visit their [friends’]

homes and ‘see,’ there’s no better explanation than that.”

Awareness trips also hold great meaning for the sponsored

friends and their families.

“I can’t explain the joy that we feel when we have our

sponsor here,” said 13-year-old Antonia from Guatemala, whose

sponsor, Dave Asher, has visited several times. “It’s something

special to see our sponsor in person. We have talked through

letters and pictures, but it’s not the same as being with him,

talking and sharing, and that is a great joy for us.”

Though traveling to another country might seem daunting,

going on an awareness trip creates deeper connections and

understanding among all parties.

“There’s a part in the Bible when Jesus is asked, ‘Where do

you live?’ and Jesus replies, ‘Come and see,’” Francisco said. “I

believe it’s fundamental for sponsors to ‘come and see.’ Come

and see your sponsored friend; come and see the things that

Unbound is working on with families; come and see how lives

are changed; come and see how your donations work. I believe

you will return home with the thought that your donation

efforts are worth it.”

THE TRIP OF A LIFETIME

Sponsor Jesse Fabian is greeted by children sponsored through Unbound on a visit to Guatemala.

Unbound Awareness Trips give you an experience you’ll never forget. With more than 27 trips going to 13 countries in 2016, there’s bound to be an adventure that’s right for you. Read what other travelers have said about our trips.

"I now have a much better understanding of the way of life for people in Kenya — their unique difficulties and triumphs." — Denise from Montana

Kenya

Bolivia“I felt that I saw a lot more of Bolivia than I ever could as a regular tourist.” — Ann from Indiana

“It made my giving more meaningful and I think forged a stronger connection to my sponsored family.” — Louise from Kansas

Guatemala

Philippines“There is no way to describe the impact we have on the lives of the kids and aging without going there and seeing it firsthand!” — Chad from Wisconsin