Susanna Anderson will be spending her summer vacation as a missionary overseas. Not only will she be living in Ecuador, South America, she'll also be serving at an after-school program for children in need. Susanna shares more about how this exciting adventure is her first solo mission trip and an answer to prayer.
I am so excited tell you about an incredible opportunity that God has brought my way.
I am finishing my Junior year at App State and heading into my senior year. As a Child development Major, all students are required to participate in a practicum during the summer between their junior and senior years. l have looked at lots of programs and researched some awesome organizations, and I have been praying for God to show me what He would have me do this summer.
Learning by Serving
The Lord has answered my prayers and given me the opportunity to serve as a missions intern with Inca Link International this summer. The ministry I am partnering with is Bonsai.
Bonsai is an after-school program for children of families in need in Manta, Ecuador. Inca Link began working in collaboration with families, local schools, and volunteers in February 2016 to promote the well-being and development of participating children. Bonsai works in partnership with Iglesia Bíblica Bautista de Manta (Bible Baptist Church of Manta).
I will be staying in the home of the missionaries stationed there and learning from them what the life of an international missionary is like. I'm excited and honored that the Lord has chosen to grant me the opportunity to serve in this way.
Recently I got to FaceTime the couple who live in Manta whom I will be staying with this summer. Talking to them and hearing their heart behind the ministry was inspiring. They love the people there and are investing in the community in incredible ways.
Though the after-school program (which they run) is important, so is fostering relationships with the families. As a Child Development major with a minor in social work, I have learned how important it is for me to develop a relationship with the guardians of children—these adults fulfill such an important role in the lives of kids.
"I hope I will be pushed by this experience in ways that I haven’t been pushed before." —Susanna
My goal is to bring back with me a better understanding that ministry is hard work, which can be and often is rewarding. Each thing I do everyday is ministry and learning to work with families and effectively communicate with them will be a blessing. I hope to nurture relationships with the families of the community as well as the kids.
This is my first true solo mission trip and that intimidates me. But it also excites me. And I'm humbly coming to you, my church family, with a request to partner with me in two specific ways.
Pray
I ask that you would pray for me as I prepare to leave and while I’m in Ecuador—for safety and health, that the Lord would use me to bless the people of Ecuador, for God’s grace and peace as I adjust to a new culture and language, and that my heart would be open to what God wants to teach me this summer.
I covet your prayers during this time of preparation and service; would you be willing to commit to pray for me?
Donate
I also need to raise $4,159, to help pay for things like airfare, room and board, and transportation in the country. If you would like to partner with me financially, you can do so online at https://www.gofundme.com/help-me-go-to-ecuardo.
You can also send your contributions by check to 1238 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC 28207. Please make all checks payable to "Inca Link International." Your donations are 100% tax deductible.
Receive Updates
If you would like to receive updates on my time in Ecuador or updated prayer requests throughout the summer, please provide me (susannaanderson55@gmail.com) with your email address.
More About Susanna
Susanna Anderson is from Charlotte, North Carolina. She is majoring in Child Development because of her heart-felt love for children. After graduation, Susanna plans to become a Child Life Specialist and work with kids in the hospital. Susanna's older sister introduced her to theHeart her freshman year of college, and she became an intern to better understand how this church takes a simple approach to reconciling people to God and each other through Christ's Love. She is excited to work with Next Generations Director, Ethan to support and help grow Kids Ministry at theHeart.
Applications for the Fall Semester of theInternship are now being accepted. Learn more about this formative and life-giving discipleship opportunity at theHeart.
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