My Story

I grew up in church, but when I went to college, I stepped away—not intentionally, but I was young and other voices were louder during that time. In 2013, I returned to church and put my faith in Jesus.

A couple years later, in 2015, I was invited to go on a mission trip to Zambia. I was looking for adventure and deep friendships—and I did experience both. I came home with friends who felt like family. But Jesus did so much more. He grew in me a heart for Him and for His people—especially the least of these—and specifically for the most vulnerable kids in DC and Zambia. In me, a desire began to grow: to see these kids flourish and to know the God who created them. I returned on my own just 6 months later and the story slowly began to unfold.

Zambia was one of the hardest-hit countries during the HIV/AIDS crisis in the 90s and early 2000s. Over half the population is now under the age of 15, and many of these children are orphaned or left with very few relatives who can care for them. Many of the kids at Lusungu Children’s Home have experienced this firsthand.

Now, 11 years later, I’ve been on the ground over a dozen times. I’ve gotten to know these kids and their individual stories. I’ve seen where they come from. I’ve witnessed testimony after testimony of kids coming to life in Jesus—changing their family tree through the Gospel and through the opportunity of an education made possible by the donors of Mercy Kids Africa.

What started as a single trip has become a calling.

Over the years, I’ve worked in different spaces as a graphic designer, often wrestling with the question: “Is this what I’m supposed to do with my life?” I’ve spent the last decade asking God to make my assignment clear.

I hit a conflicting moment in 2018 where I asked Him for a clear sign if I was to continue going to Zambia. A few months later someone I don’t know laid a hand on me at a church event and all this person said was, “Africa.”

Another few months later and I received a mysteriously large tax refund in the mail for $1,282.60. I scratched my head thinking this number looks so familiar and why is this so much bigger this year than years prior. I ran to my inbox to see how much my last flight had cost. Sure enough I was staring at a receipt from Ethiopian Airlines that was for $1,282.60 from the year prior. I immediately looked up flights—they were going for half the price that year. In March of 2019—my entire trip was provided for by no effort of my own.

The last three Novembers, I went through layoff after layoff, contract after contract ending. It felt like God was closing a chapter, but I kept trying to restart the same story—get the job, work in the office (or remotely), follow the rules, and you’ll live a comfortable life.

But that wasn’t enough for me.

After what I’ve experienced in Zambia—and even walking closely with vulnerable kids in DC—I couldn’t keep working just to build something for myself. What if, instead, I built something for the Lord? What if I laid down what I thought I wanted and traded it for something more—a surrendered life shaped by the very thing He has used most to form me?

This past November, I was home in St. Louis for Thanksgiving. I had just found out my contracts were coming to a close at the end of the year. I was once again physically sick from the stress of my work and creatively burnt out from the constant hustle.

So I went on a long walk in the snow—alone, finally able to process out loud with God. I told Him I was tired of spinning my wheels. I asked Him, honestly, to give me clarity about what was next. I knew I was at a pivotal moment that I needed to stop running from.

Somewhere near mile three, I felt it clearly and deeply: I was supposed to go full-time with Mercy Kids Africa.

This had never really crossed my mind before. But I had been on the board for the past few years and had a burning heart for the nations and particularly this nation. Even through the lull after the pandemic, the Lord had sustained the organization through loyal donors and miracle after miracle. And my heart for Zambia—and for the work at Lusungu Children’s Home—had never gone away.

I walked back into my parents’ house a little nervous to tell my mom. She already has one child living overseas, and I knew this might sound like I was heading that direction too.

I took a breath and told her about this revelation I had on my walk.

Her response? “I LOVE this idea. What do you need to do to make it happen?”

I told her I needed to finish my contracts well, and then begin having conversations with our board leadership in the new year.

December was a sprint. Late nights, tight deadlines, trying to finish strong. By mid-January, my contracts were done—and I was exhausted. I hadn’t even started the conversations yet when I was asked to build a new website for Mercy Kids Africa during a board meeting. I enthusiastically said yes.

As I started working, I realized we didn’t have updated photos of the kids—nothing I could really use. But I had exactly the amount of airline miles I needed. So I booked a flight to Zambia and let our board president, Andrea, know.

She asked to get on a call.

As we talked, it became clear that she had been at her own crossroads—asking God whether Mercy Kids Africa should continue or come to a close. And what she kept sensing and conversations with others kept confirming was: keep going and go all in.

At the same time, she was also stepping into a new season personally, after being home with her kids for nine years. The question for her was similar: do I just get another job, or is it time for Mercy Kids Africa to step into something new—with full-time leadership and renewed vision?

Through prayer, conversations, and a series of what can only be described as divine connections over the past few months, we both feel confident in the Lord to move forward.

In the next month, we’ll be rolling off the board and stepping into full-time roles with Mercy Kids Africa—bringing our gifts together for this next chapter.

The last decade has been about learning, building trust, and laying a foundation with our partners on the ground. The next decade, we believe, is about building something that has lasting, eternal impact—helping kids and young adults transition out of the system and into trade school.

How redemptive would it be to see vulnerable children grow into skilled leaders—grounded in the Gospel and equipped to help build their own communities?

This year, I’m stepping into a full-time role as Director of Outreach and Communications.

Would you prayerfully consider partnering with me by giving monthly? Your support will help Mercy Kids Africa continue raising up the most vulnerable into skilled leaders in their communities in Zambia and wherever God leads us.

“Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain.” Psalm 127:1