Lori (Barnes) Shannon, Adrian Class of 1994, has taken 12 or 13 mission trips to Haiti. This year, 2018 Adrian Grad Ashlee Burris traveled with her.
Ashlee Burris fell in love with Lofta in Hinche, Haiti.
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A few words from Mike: This Adrian News Leader entry is a tribute from Michele and I for our daughter Ashlee, who traveled to Haiti with Lori Shannon on a mission trip through Global Orphan Project from December 15 - 20, 2018. It is so great seeing Ashlee do what she was put on this Earth to do. There is no limit to how much we are proud of her.
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One fall afternoon Lori Shannon talked with Ashlee about returning to Haiti for the 12th or 13th time to serve the kids in orphanages she has loved getting to know through the years. Lori's faith in God and her strong desire to serve people in need hit close to home for Ashlee, who shares the same faith and desire. That same day, Ashlee submitted an application to Global Orphan Project to go on this mission trip with Lori. The application was approved and the trip became a reality.The next step was to learn, learn, learn. Along with Ashlee, we learned about Global Orphan Project and the Haiti mission trip through the words of others (especially Lori) and from the GO website. What is Global Orphan Project (GO)? From their website (goproject.org), it is a community. Setting traditional institutional orphan care models aside, we’re connecting a global family united by a shared vision to care for vulnerable children and prevent child abandonment. Focusing on one child at a time, we provide sustainable, local, family-style care that is deeply rooted in compassion, hope, and the belief that every child deserves a chance. The website also said that by traveling to Haiti allows trip goers to experience the ministry of local church partners firsthand. Ashlee took part in orphan care and prevention ministries in and around Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti. Upon returning home, Ashlee fully believes in the mission of Global Orphan Project and plans to take mission trips with them in the future.
With an approved application, knowledge about GO and the reality of travel to Haiti, Ashlee's only obstacle in getting there was financial. As a first year college kid, she was limited with funds and as the parents of a new college kid, we could help some but not in full. That's when family, friends, our Adrian Christian Church family and a very generous Adrian community made contributions to her "Go Project" fundraising account through Global Orphan Project. Ashlee's dream was made possible thanks to the heartfelt support of so many. In addition to those contributions, people donated items for Ashlee to take to Haiti to give to the orphans. She packed a suitcase full of necessities that every child deserves but Haitian kids often do not have - clothes, shoes, socks, hygiene supplies and more.
Packed and ready to go with a passport in hand and immunizations up-to-date, Ashlee met Lori Shannon and her team at KCI for an early morning flight to Atlanta and then to Haiti. It was there that Michele and I met Jamie Davis, the team leader who began leading trips in 2011 - almost eight years! Ashlee had told us what a dynamic personality she had and a deep compassion for others, and Ashlee was absolutely right. We saw it the minute we met her. Jamie thought just as highly of Ashlee after meeting her prior to their departure. She said, "What a gift Ashlee is. She's smart, compassionate and beautiful. An absolute joy and I'm excited to see what God does in her and through her." As we watched Ashlee and the team check in and prepare to board the plane, along with Drew (our son) and her boyfriend John, we knew with all certainty that Ashlee, Lori, Jamie and the team were following God's plan them.
GO Trip Leader Jamie Davis checks in with Ashlee at KCI.
Ashlee absolutely loved her time in Haiti and bonded quickly with the children. Her heart went out to each and every one of them. Ashlee shared some details of her trip. These are just a few, she has so many more!
"Haiti is viewed as broken. That's not the case. It’s beautiful and it’s full of beautiful hard-working people. Global Orphan purpose is to help prevent the cycle of orphanages, to focus on the entire cycle of orphanages including the after care. GO tries to prepare kids for Haitian life outside of the orphanage. I had the privilege and blessing to interact with several former orphans that will have bright futures thanks the Global Orphan Project. I loved interacting with kids in the orphanages. Part of my heart will forever be with Haiti. I can’t wait to go back! Lori Shannon connected me with Global. She is one of the most beautiful people I’ve ever met. Lori has such a heart for Jesus and those in need. I’ve also been blessed to be part of caring community that lent a hand and helped support my Haiti trip whether it was through donations, prayers and/or kind words. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you." --Ashlee Burris
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1:27This is Ashlee's 2nd mission trip. Her first trip was at the age of 17, when she traveled to the Dominican Republic. She served kids in an orphanage, people at a leprosy colony, and women and children affected by sex trafficking. As a result of the Dominican trip, it furthered her desire to go into Nursing. She plans to be a nurse in the States and use her nursing skills overseas to help people who do not have access to medical care like those in the Dominican and Haiti. Both trips have inspired her to minor in International Studies. Ashlee hopes to study abroad and take additional mission trips to expand her future career goals and to fulfill God's plans for her.
If you have questions about Global Orphan Project or would like to go on a mission trip, feel free to email Jamie Davis at jamie@goproject.org, or Ashlee can help facilitate contact with Jamie. She is a gracious leader who welcomes everyone with open arms. Jamie said, "I consider it an honor and privilege to get to lead others into this space where God invites us all to participate with him in caring for the orphans and vulnerable. I'm so grateful."
Ashlee, we are so very proud of you and we love you! ~Dad, Mom & Drew
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