Hi Friends :)

Thank you for considering joining me on my upcoming faith journey to South Africa!

This opportunity came through my church, Metro Community Church, which partners with the non-profit Zimele. Zimele, meaning "stand on one’s own two feet" in Zulu, empowers local women by providing skills and opportunities to overcome poverty and become self-sufficient.

Initially, I hesitated about this trip because it’s different from my previous mission experiences. Rather than running programs or adding to daily life, we’ll be learning about Zimele’s ongoing work and exploring how we can support it from the US. Despite my initial reservations, I felt a strong calling to participate as I prayed and reflected. I’m eager to see God's work firsthand and to grow in awareness of His impact outside the US.

Additionally, I’m currently in my third year of grad school studying acupuncture and herbal medicine, with the hope of using these skills on the mission field. I’ve been given special permission to take time off my classes to join this trip, which will run from 9/28-10/07. I’ll be traveling with a diverse team of 8, including one of our pastors, and I’m excited to deepen my connections with my fellow church members.

I would love your support through prayer and financial contributions. If you're interested in receiving updates on how to support our team through prayer, please let me know.

Looking forward to sharing this journey with you!

Warmly,

Grace Bae

P.S. Click here to learn more about Zimele