Between falling in love with other cultures, working with kiddos, thriving in Christian-based workplaces, and nine years of studying Spanish, YAGM fell into place as the perfect combination of all of my joys.

I first fell in love with mission work as a high schooler. My church youth group would go down to an orphanage in Tijuana every summer, where we’d spend a week on various work projects — from painting and roofing to playing with the niños and leading evening devotions. Dipping my toes into international ministry at such a formative age has only encouraged this plunge into YAGM.

I realized I wanted to pursue mission work as a potential career, prompting me to take a cultural anthropology class in high school to learn more about different cultures. In college, I declared a double major in cultural anthropology and religious studies, which only fueled my interest in learning more about and further understanding the world as a whole. 

My double major was accompanied by a minor in Hispanic Studies, strengthening the Spanish language knowledge I’ve been building since eighth grade. Language is a “use it or lose it” kind of skill and I didn't want to lose my Spanish. Being more or less bilingual has opened many doors, from studying abroad in both Mexico and Uruguay to my country program placement for YAGM. 

In addition to all this, I've spent the last three summers working at an overnight Christian camp, which cemented a passion for both working with kids and working in ministry. Spending two summers as the day camp program leader pushed my limits and strengthened my skills — knowledge I’m thankful to be taking into my YAGM year.

After graduating from Pacific Lutheran University in 2023 with a wide range of experiences, I decided my post-undergrad plan would be “chasing joy” — whatever that looked like. 

That's where YAGM comes in. 

From tangible ways to apply my degrees and knowledge to building upon my love for working with kiddos and ministry in an international context, I've found myself here — with a YAGM placement in Argentina/Uruguay. I will be one of 25 young adults serving on behalf of the ELCA in 6 different country programs around the world!

For the next year (2024–2025), I’ll be living with, learning from, and serving my host community in Argentina/Uruguay. YAGM volunteers serve through the spirit of accompaniment: coming alongside host communities to support them rather than dominate and replicate hierarchies of colonial Christianity.

Your support is invaluable!! The total cost for one young adult in the program is $18,000. Each YAGM volunteer is required to raise at least $6,000 USD to support their year of service. Additional funds will help support other young adult volunteers and the future of the Young Adults in Global Mission program. If you would prayerfully consider donating, I would greatly appreciate it!