Hello my dear friends and family!

It is with great excitement that I have accepted the opportunity to serve as a Young Adult in Global Mission volunteer in Rwanda starting in August. I will be one of 73 young adults serving on behalf of the ELCA in 11 different country programs around the world!

As part of accepting this call, I am asked to raise at least $5,000. Please help me reach my goal by supporting my fundraising efforts with a donation today. Through your donation, you join me on this journey as I grow in my own faith and walk in partnership with our global companions. I am thrilled to think about the ways in which this year will form and transform me.

I invite you to not only support me through a donation, but stay up to date on my adventures over the next year! Once my year of service begins, I will be sending out newsletters via email to keep you in the loop on the joys and struggles that I will experience over the next year.

Thank you for joining me and for your support – every gift truly matters! 

About Young Adults in Global Mission

The ELCA’s Young Adults in Global Mission program provides young adults, ages 21-29, the opportunity to grow in their faith and work in partnership with our global companions. Young adults in the program serve in churches, schools and social service ministries. Currently the program is engaged in work in Argentina/Uruguay, Australia, Cambodia, Central Europe, Jerusalem/West Bank, Madagascar, Mexico, Rwanda, Senegal, Southern Africa and the United Kingdom.

The total cost for one young adult in the program is $15,000. Each young adult is tasked with raising a minimum of $5,000 to help support their year of service. The ELCA commits to raising the additional $10,000 per volunteer through generous congregations and donors. If more than $5,000 in gifts is received, the additional funds will be help to support other young adult volunteers and ensure that there is a sustainable source of revenue for future the Young Adults in Global Mission program.

FAQ

Where is Rwanda?

Rwanda is a small country of a little more than 11 million people located in Central/East Africa in the African Great Lakes Region. Although it is located only a few degrees south of the equator, the high elevation of the country makes the climate rather temperate. While most of us only think of the terrible genocide that happened in 1994 when we think of Rwanda, there is so much more to it. Rwanda is a beautiful country with an exploding tourism industry, and it is one of the only countries in the world with a female majority in their parliament!

What will you be doing in Rwanda?

I will not be finding out exactly what I will be doing in Rwanda until mid-July. This provides flexibility for Young Adults in Global Mission to work closely with the community to figure out how we can best serve them, as their needs might change year to year. Some potential placements could be in a school teaching subjects such as english or environmental education, supporting various women's economic development programs, or assisting the ministries of the Lutheran Church of Rwanda.

In order to thoroughly understand the YAGM program and what I will be doing as a volunteer with this program, it is so very important to understand the vocational theme of YAGM. As a "missionary", I must acknowledge the historical, and even present day, harm that has been done by Christian and Lutheran missionaries alike through colonialism and assimilation. This trip in no way, shape, or form will include any imposition of ELCA-Christian values on the Rwandan people. Instead I will be walking alongside the people of Rwanda to better understand their culture and way of life. This experience will play a critical role not only in my understanding and experience while in Rwanda but also in how I take my experience and acquired knowledge back home to the USA as I pursue my future vocation!

How long will you be gone?

I will be serving in Rwanda for 11 months, so just shy of a year. I will head to Chicago on August 13th to partake in a 10 day training with the other 72 YAGM volunteers for this year. On August 21st I will offically depart to Rwanda with five other young adults to begin our year of service and accompaniment!

Why are you doing this?

I have always believed that being an informed global citizen is essential in today's increasingly globalized society. Through my travels in high school and college, I have fallen in love with many different cultures from around the world and I have experienced the immense benefits of putting myself out of my comfort zone time and time again in my life. I hope that by once again pushing myself out of my comfort zone, I will be transformed by people that I will encounter and the various experiences I will have. Over the next year I hope that I can make a small difference in the community that is graciously welcoming me in, and that I will be able to return home to the USA with new insight and knowledge on how we can live in harmony with our sisters and brothers around the world.

How can I help?

While monetary gifts are very much appreciated (and helps me work towards my goal of raising $5,000!), just your thoughts and prayers for myself and the other 72 YAGM volunteers over the next year would be much appreciated as we embark on a transformative year of service.