Mission Manduhai held a circus performance  at Immanuel Lutheran Church in St. Paul to raise money for its next trip to Mongolia to combat domestic abuse.

Originally from Mongolia, she escaped a life of abuse when her circus act was chosen by the famed Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus. She soon traveled the world performing under the big top and eventually made her way to St. Paul where she works as a coach at Circus Juventas.

She’s made 10 trips back to Mongolia in the last 13 years, traveling to some of the country’s most rural communities to spread awareness through free circus performances that combine American performers with some of Mongolia’s finest. The shows provide people with information about the Mongolian National Center Against Violence. To date, she said she’s helped tens of thousands of people escape domestic abuse.

Mission Manduhai’s next trip is planned for this August.