Author: Adventures

An adventure awaits you in Washington, DC!           Millions visit our nation’s capital every year to learn about this country’s history. But just beyond the monuments, a city lies crumbling.  Every day we see images of Washington, DC on TV. Leaders cast the vision for America’s future. Historians study and preserve her past. Landmarks and modern museums dot tourist maps, offering millions of citizens and foreign visitors alike a glimpse into what makes America unique. If these sightseers looked just beyond the monuments, though, they...

An adventure awaits you in Atlanta! What do Coca-Cola, Six Flags, and heartbreak all have in common? Atlanta. Atlanta’s explosive growth has brought a tourist economy and exciting attractions to northern Georgia, including the world’s biggest aquarium. But that same growth also presents challenges for this city. Homelessness, drug use, and crime take young people away from the futures they could have. Large refugee populations struggle to fit in in a city known for its Southern hospitality. The forgotten people here desperately need the hope of Jesus and a second...

          New Orleans is a hopping city full of good food, music, and rich culture located on the Mississippi River. The birthplace of jazz, it is a melting pot of French, African, and American cultures. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina swept through New Orleans, striking a devastating blow to the livelihood of every resident. Nearly 80% of the city flooded, leaving a trail of destruction. Overnight, thousands of people became homeless and unemployed. The nation rallied around relief efforts in the early days following the hurricane, but slowly national attention...

An adventure awaits you in Western PA! Just an hour outside of the bustling city of Pittsburgh lies a small town fighting for its life. Tucked in a valley between the Appalachian Mountains, the mining community of Johnstown, Pennsylvania struggles to survive. Throughout its history, tragic floods have repeatedly devastated the valley, killing thousands and driving residents and employers alike to higher ground. Recent economic growth has hinted at a recovery in Johnstown, but this area faces an uphill climb. Almost 20 percent of families live below the poverty line.Many people face these...

            Despite vast natural resources and  beauty beyond measure, Appalachia remains trapped in despair. The people here need hope. Unemployment tracks higher than the national average, and many people in this area work in low-paying jobs below their skill level. Outsourcing and mechanization have left many residents jobless, poverty-stricken, and lacking in educational resources.  The people of the Appalachian mountains are strong and come from a legacy of hard work, but years of discouragement have taken their toll. Many people work...

            Known for its diverse terrain of mountains, volcanoes, and beaches, the Philippines is a popular haven for tourists. A melting pot of cultures, religion, and tradition – the beautiful people of the Philippines are very diverse with influences from America, Spain, and many Asian countries. English is an official language of the Philippines, so language barriers are minimal. ­ More than a getaway for Westerners, this seven-thousand island archipelago is home to many Filipinos who earn under 15 cents per day. This classifies them as...