David Bandish of McHenry traveled to the Philippines for University Mission Trip

2015 Jan 29

McHenry resident David Bandish along with six other Lewis University students were among the 28 volunteer participants in the sixth Joliet Diocesan University Mission Trip December 28, 2014 - January 10, 2015 to the Philippines working on various projects of construction work.

"The hospitality, friendship and constant hugs were God's blessings on all our lives and affirmations of encouragement for participating in such a life changing experience," commented Christopher Hueg, graduate assistant in University Ministry at Lewis University.

During their seven days of work, students completed two houses starting from the foundation up and helped to complete another two houses to the roof beams. They painted two houses and dug a six-foot wide, eight-feet long and six-foot deep septic tank.

Many hours were spent with the children of Bacolod City playing soccer, basketball, making friendship bracelets and dancing together. The students celebrated Mass with the community and experienced a traditional Filipino meal, Boodle Fight, which is served on top of banana leaves.

Upon reflecting on the mission trip, many students felt that they offered hope to the people that they met and worked with. "In reality it was us that were receiving the hope and love from those we worked alongside," Hueg commented.

Natalie Bayci, trip organizer for the Diocese of Joliet, accompanied Lewis University students David Bandish, Christopher Hueg, Jessica Kaluzny, Kamille Martinez, Kevin Nietzel, Jamie Palamkunnel and Lori Trousdal. Other students on the trip included attendees of Benedictine University, St. Francis University, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Lewis University is a Catholic university in the Lasallian tradition offering distinctive undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 6,700 traditional and adult students. Lewis offers multiple campus locations, online degree programs, and a variety of formats that provide accessibility and convenience to a growing student population. Sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Lewis prepares intellectually engaged, ethically grounded, globally connected, and socially responsible graduates. The seventh largest private not-for-profit university in Illinois, Lewis has been nationally recognized by The Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report. Visit www.lewisu.edu for further information.