Hi! My name is Ella, and last semester I was given the incredible opportunity to attend a Discipleship Training School with Youth With a Mission (YWAM). During this time, I was equipped through courses on biblical worldview, evangelism, worship, and missions, all of which challenged and strengthened my faith in ways I never expected.

After completing the training portion, I spent nine weeks overseas in Kyrgyzstan. Living there opened my eyes to a reality very different from what we experience in the United States. In Kyrgyzstan, public expressions of Christianity are restricted, and churches are closely monitored by the government. Even something as simple as praying over a meal had to be done carefully—spoken aloud as if it were just a normal conversation.

Our mission was simple but powerful: meet people, build genuine friendships, invite them for coffee, and share the hope of the Gospel. Many of the people I met had never heard the message of Jesus before. Witnessing their curiosity, questions, and openness was truly life-changing for me.

Because of this experience, I feel strongly called to continue serving in missions. This January, I am planning to return to YWAM for their School of Missions and Evangelism, where I will receive further training and then be sent on another outreach to the 10/40 Window—one of the most impoverished regions of the world and the area with the least access to the Christian Gospel.

By donating, you are not just helping me pay for schooling—you are partnering with me in bringing hope, love, and truth to places where it is rarely heard. Thank you so much for supporting me through prayer, encouragement, and financial giving. I truly could not do this without you.