2007-2011
Starting in high school the Lord put a passion on my heart for missions. It all started when I went on my first mission trip to Ashville, North Carolina. It was a week long trip in which we where able to rebuild homes for those less fortunate. We spent the week of putting a new roof on a house and giving it a new paint job. That summer changed my perspective on how much the world around me needed help. Every summer after that I went on the same mission trip and God opened my eyes is ways I would have never imagined. Through all the ups and downs of life going on in high school these mission trips taught me how to focus on God and His vision not mine. I found myself to be passionate about architecture and got involved Habitat for Humanity. After my senior year of high school I decided to pursue a degree in Architectural Design.
2011-2012
Fall of 2011 I moved to Grand Forks, ND in pursuit of a degree in Architectural Design. I went to college thinking I would graduate in a couple a years and enter the work force. What I got was so much more. I began my semester filled with optimism for school but soon realized I was missing something. It was community and people who had a heart for the Lord. I reached out into the community and was introduced to many people who pointed me in the right direction. I started attending Faith E Free church which brought me into contact with a lot of who who where passionate about serving the Lord. From there I was invited to a meeting that was put on by Campus Crusade for Christ now known as CRU. The end of my freshman year I decided to go on a short term mission trip with CRU in Westby, WI. During my week there God worked in my heart and changed the way I viewed missions. I learned that things in my past that I tried to run from weren’t viewed any differently then the person sins who sat beside me. That week I decided to fully dedicate my life to serving the Lord. Everything in my life changed.
Summer 2013
My sophomore year was coming to an end when God laid a mission trip on my heart. He asked me to spend my summer in North Myrtle Beach, SC. Myself along with 85 other college students spent 10 weeks sharing the gospel along the beach and in our work areas. During these 10 weeks the Lord showed up in multiple situations. He provided a job and a loving community. I was challenged to step out in faith and trust that God would handle all the situations. For me finances have always been a struggle but God showed and showed me that I don’t have to have the best paying job to be sustainable. Those ten weeks went by so fast. God gave me a heart to reach the lost and showed me the importance of evangelism.
After returning back from NMB I had one more semester left before I could receive my degree in Architectural Design. I began to think about what my calling in life was. I soon realized that I wasn’t called to leave school. My roommate and I sent through different ideas of what to do next. She asked me what I am passionate about. I told her that I am most happy when I am serving those around me and enjoy doing this in different parts of the world. She suggested that I check out Bethany Global University. Next thing I knew was moving to Bloomington Mn to pursue a Bachelors degree in Theology and Intercultural studies with a minor in education.
Haiti 2014
In October of 2013 I got the opportunity to go on a short-term mission trip to Haiti. After my two weeks in Haiti I reflected on what the Lord did in my life. I reminded of all the things that our team was able to accomplish while in Haiti. He gave us strength and energy to help move rocks down a mountain to fill the foundation of a church member’s home and also clean another house so a church family could move in. We got to be a blessing to the local church leaders by training and equipping them on how to teach young children and youth about God. We were able to teach the kids Bible stories. During our time in Haiti we were able to minister with the pastoral staff to local residents by prayer walking and listening to their needs. Haitian Christians have been doing so much for their nation and it was a privilege to be able to come alongside them and help with their mission to reach their people.
While in Haiti God reminded me of my mission and what He is calling me to do. Serving overseas brings so much joy to my heart; I am looking forward to serving full time one day. I am looking forward to the day when I can use my Architectural Degree to serve those around the world by building homes and facilities to bring communities together. The Lord has put a strong passion in my heart to travel to different places and bring hope to the community in whatever way possible.
Africa 2015-2016
Dominican Republic 2017
Moving Forward 2019
Even though it is unclear when I am going overseas, my passion still remains. Community development is needed all around the world, and Bethany has given me the tools to make a difference in a culture. In the future, I see myself helping spread the gospel through setting up schools, creating businesses, and building a place for fellowship within a community. Moreover, I want to help educate the less fortunate and empower them to break the cycle of poverty in there community. I believe my training in teaching, and also my time spent overseas helping and partnering with a “business in missions” program have given me tools necessary for being a developer and innovator in unreached and hurting places.
