Hey Everyone!
My name is Leah and I am from Minnesota.
I just arrived back from working a summer up in Alaska with a short term missions organization and absolutely loved it!! From the beautiful scenery, people, and seeing God move throughout everything. It has been more of a transition coming back home than I thought it would be. But through it, God has strengthened my passion to go back out in the world and serve.
To back things up a little bit, I grew up in the same area all my life. I absolutely love my wonderfully goofy, fun-loving family, pictured below!
My spiritual journey started at a young age with growing up in a Christian home. Once I went to college, my faith became my own. I began a relationship with Christ and the story just continues on from there. From being largely involved in a college campus ministry, working as a camp counselor, to traveling on a study abroad. God has surprised me in so many wonderful ways and I wouldn’t change that for anything. He has helped me grow as a leader and individual. He has shown me the power of His love, grace and trust. I have found new life and joy through Him and I want to share that with others.
Some of my favorite things are hanging out with the people I love, reading, adventuring, hiking, playing games/sports, and relaxing by water (lakes, rivers, oceans).
My strengths, I would say tie into my spiritual gifts. Hospitality, teaching, administration, leadership, and apostleship. I enjoy getting to know people and their stories. I have a desire to know the world around me, explore cultures and understand more of life and our Creator. One saying that I have come across and feel defines what society is searching for is:
“People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care” (MUP)
People want to see a real and alive church for Jesus Christ. For those that have never heard of Jesus, being able to share and show genuine love towards them can be life changing. This is why I want to do the World Race. The route I will be going on is called the Expedition 10/40 Window. The 10/40 Window is an area consisting of countries in North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. These countries consist of some of poorest people and most unreached areas for Christ in the world. On this trip I will be able share how Jesus has changed my life and how He can do the same for them.
I want to grow, be challenged, and pushed outside of my comfort zone. I know that those ideas also make me nervous, along with being gone for a whole year! But, being able to take a year and devoting it to God I know will be life changing. I’m excited for what is to come. Here’s to expecting the unexpected and loving people the way God loves me!
Please be praying for me, my teammates, the people we will be serving, and their countries. For us to be open-minded, moldable, God-fearing, and ready to make an impact for the Kingdom.
World Race Expedition 10/40, here I go!
Australia * Indonesia * Sri Lanka * India * Nepal
Kyrgyzstan * Kazakhstan * Azerbaijan * Georgia/Armenia
Spain * Morocco
