OSHKOSH, Wis. - CitizensFirst Credit Union President/CEO Carla Altepeter doesn't believe in coincidences as much as destiny.

"I went to Africa as a moderator at a WOCCU annual meeting in 1998 and was moved by the plight of the poor. I was just hit with this need to help so I came back and proposed to my church to lead missionary teams to Third World countries," said Altepeter. "I've always been fascinated with Africa and felt an affinity toward the poor so when I was there everything pulled together and I had an `aha' moment this is what I was meant to do."

It took her first trip leading a missionary team to help rebuild after Hurricane Mitchell in 1999 to get hooked.

Since then Altepeter has been leading teams into such countries as Bolivia, Guyana, Peru, Nicaragua and most recently she returned to Africa in Uganda to conduct a medical/dental mission.

As a leader, Altepeter is responsible for everything from finding out what help is needed where, gathering a team together and providing training to coordinating vaccinations, visas, passports and airline tickets for each team member. It takes about six to nine months to plan the trips. Team sizes range from 15 to 22 people and she turns to Phoenix-based Food for the Hungry, a faith-based organization that specializes in bringing hope and help to those in need in Third World countries, for local contacts. Food for the Hungry establishes worldwide nongovernmental contacts in these countries and provides short-term missionary trips. It was exactly what Altepeter wanted since she has a job and family to take care of.

"Again I was provided guidance to Food for the Hungry-someone just happened to give me a pamphlet on it because they heard I was interested in missionary work. I feel confident taking people to Third World countries under their leadership," said Altepeter. "My job doesn't stop until we get back and I drop the team off at the church. It is hard work, but so rewarding to reach out to other countries."

Despite the security of having local contacts make no mistake these trips are typically dangerous. For example, when in Guyana Altepeter's team was chased by men wielding machetes.

"Fear makes people do things. We went into a squatter village to build homes and they just didn't understand why this group of white Americans was in their village," said Altepeter. "This is a great example of why I love working as a missionary leader-witnessing the transformation of people. By the time we were done they were inviting us into their homes and to hold their babies. It is just such a life changing experience." [email protected]