Hello 2026!!

This past year has been full of blessings from the Lord. If you asked me at the beginning of 2025, I truly couldn't have guessed that my life would look the way it does now. From moving across the country to stepping into my role with Nsansa, it has all been such a joy. It hasn't all been easy, but it has been beautiful because the Lord has been there through it all. I'd be lying if I said I don't miss Minnesota at times, but I know God has placed me where I am for a reason and it is exciting being in Summerville. I'd be lying if I said my role with Nsansa always went smooth. Being halfway across the world and working on my own schedule has bumps at times, but it has been growing my independence and making me rely on Him more than ever. Housing, friendships, jobs, church, and more may not always be perfect, but that is the beauty of being human! We might mess up, make the wrong decision, go our of our comfort zone, or life just may be hard at times, but these are all things that help shape us into who we are. This year has definitely been a year of "new" for me. Since my last newsletter update in November a few things have changed!

I took time in November and December to focus on my personal fundraising. I wanted to get as much of that covered so that my main focus can be the work I get to do for Nsansa Village, and my own personal needs aren't always in the back of my mind. As I step back into doing more for Nsansa Village, I have spent some time designing prayer cards and bookmarks for those who sponsor the boys we have. Annai, the girl my family sponsored through Compassion, stayed safely in my Bible on a bookmark as I grew up. It was such a sweet reminder to pray for my sister in Christ, and I know how special and beneficial it can be for our boys' sponsors. Outside of projects like this, the next few months will be filled with phone calls and meetings with potential prayer and financial partners for the organization. The Lord has placed some exciting dreams for the next few years on the hearts of everyone at Nsansa Village, and we have some plans and campaigns starting that go with that. I can't wait to bring others into all the Lord is doing there! If you want to stay in the loop for all Nsansa Village news, or if you know of any businesses, churches, organizations, individuals, etc. who may want to partner, please reach out. I would love to get you connected to our social media, website, etc. and I would love to get connected with the potential partners. Along with all of this the next few months will be filled with grant writing, donor updates, gathering resources, and so much more. Though those don't all have specific plans to go with them yet, I am really excited to see how it plays out as I get more settled in this role.

Outside of ministry, I have had some fun recent life changes as well! I packed up my belongings and moved out of the house I was living in and into a storage unit at the end of November. I spent December couch hopping and dog/house sitting before going home to Minnesota for the remainder of the month. When I get back to Summerville tomorrow I will be moving in with my friend Sophie, who was on one of my ministry teams this past summer in Zambia! I could write an entire post simply about the Lord's provision there. To put it simply: His timing is absolutely beautiful and His heart is so kind. The Lord sees and knows His children well, even in the moments we wonder what in the world He could be up to. My living situation isn't the only change happening when I get back, as I am also starting a new part time substitute teaching position a few days a week. I originally was going to school for education, and it is still something I would consider pursuing sometime down the road, so I am excited to get to take a step in that direction with this job. The schedule also opens up my summer, making it so much easier to go spend time with the staff and boys at Nsansa Village!

I am really excited for what this next year holds😄 The ways I have seen the Lord move the past few years of my life have been incredible! He has taught me a ton and I have grown so much. I am a totally different person than who I was just a few years ago in all of the best ways. My mental health is better, I have more joy and peace, I have two jobs I am really excited about, I am living in a new city full of young believers, and I get to do ministry overseas and stateside on a regular basis. It is so exciting! I also feel like the Lord has been reminding me of who He created me to be, and how I was as a kid. I feel like I lost a lot of myself during my high school and college years as I struggled with depression and anxiety. The constant stress, worry, and sadness took a lot of my joy, and my desire to do things I once loved. Since He freed me from those things I feel like I am slowly becoming me again! I'm going into 2026 refreshed, ready for God to continue to work in my heart and life.