Lisa Allen is traveling to Burundi for the second time. The first time she traveled as a volunteer. This time, she represents Forest Hill Church as the Ministry Director for Hope For Burundi as one of FHC's long term initiatives. She looks forward to renewing relationships with her brothers and sisters in Africa as well as meeting new friends. Her verse is Isaiah 52:7 "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation..."
Prior to being able to work from home and raise her two daughters, Traci Millea was a Social Worker for twelve years working with children in foster care. Her heart has always been to serve children and she has known for a long time that one day God would call her to serve others on an overseas trip. Traci never knew where or when until now. God has been tugging at her heart and He has made it clear to Traci that the time is now and the place is Africa. Traci will be working with our partners on the ground in Burundi through the Discovery School program, and she couldn't be more excited! Traci has been reminded many times of Mark 5:36 "Don't be afraid, just trust me." With all her excitement, there certainly comes fear, and with fear Traci knows she must trust God. Traci’s prayer request is for God to prepare her heart for her visit and bless her efforts as she serves His people. Please pray for our safe travels and that we are prepared to do His work.
This will be Jeanette Reber's second trip to Burundi to work with A.L.A.R.M. and teaching natives how to teach children about Jesus through Sunday School. She is excited about returning to the country that she has been given such great passion for. Jeanette asks for prayers for safety, travel mercies, and for the participants who will attend the conference. Jeanette's favorite Bible verse is Jeremiah 29:11-13 ~ "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
This will be Jeanette Reber's second trip to Burundi to work with A.L.A.R.M. and teaching natives how to teach children about Jesus through Sunday School. She is excited about returning to the country that she has been given such great passion for. Jeanette asks for prayers for safety, travel mercies, and for the participants who will attend the conference. Jeanette's favorite Bible verse is Jeremiah 29:11-13 ~ "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
This is Lacy Seawell's first mission trip and first time to Africa. She is extremely excited about and grateful for this opportunity God has led her to! Lacy grew up in Greensboro, NC but has lived in Charlotte for the majority of the last 11 years. Lacy currently works for Bank of America and loves to train for local sprint triathlons. She loves to visit her parents in Blowing Rock, spending time with her sisters, brother-in-law and nephews as well as hanging out with her life group girls and other amazing friends in Charlotte. Lacy's prayer request is
that the group stays focused on God's will for the time spent in Burundi...whatever He has planned!
Lacy's favorite Bible verse - Psalm 139 ~ You have searched me, LORD, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
that the group stays focused on God's will for the time spent in Burundi...whatever He has planned!
Lacy's favorite Bible verse - Psalm 139 ~ You have searched me, LORD, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
Sissy Sheltra believes the Lord put a desire for the people of Burundi in her heart so she could shine for Him. On this trip, Sissy will be working with the children of Burundi at the Discovery School team and she is very excited to see what God has in store for her!
Sissy’s favorite verse is: Matthew 5: 14-16 ‘You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden. People do not light a lamp and put it under a basket but on a lamp stand and it gives light to all in the house.’
Laura Snow is the proud mother of 5 boys! Toben (18), Dalton (17), Chance (7), Michael (6) and Charlie (1) are her special blessings from God .This will be Laura’s second trip to Burundi, Africa. Laura works at Forest Hill Church in the Global Missions area and with By Grace Alone ministries. Laura’s favorite verse is Micah 6:8 - He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Bonnie Torrence worked as a full time Senior Diabetes Sales Specialist for Amylin Pharmaceuticals. She is currently working to earn her Masters in Divinity to become a Chaplain. In her free time, Bonnie likes to go running, do yoga, travel and spend time with her husband and 2 pugs.
Bonnie’s favorite scriptures are Psalm 121 ~ I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD watches over you— the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
Bonnie’s favorite scriptures are Psalm 121 ~ I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD watches over you— the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
Please pray for safety and staying healthy. Pray the children we serve see and expierence Jesus through being with us.
Matt and Joy Hopkins are originally from Pittsburgh, PA. We moved to Charlotte 5 years ago. The friends that we have made at Forest Hill have made Charlotte our new home! Family and friends are very important to both of us. Matt works in marketing and Joy is a Physician Assistant. We have both been on short term missions trips in our younger days. Last year we felt a calling to go to Burundi so that we could invest in the lives of others. We feel that God has blessed us so richly that we needed to pass His provision on! We are excited to get to work with the children at the Discovery School and make a Jesus shaped imprint on their lives!
Our verse of inspiration for this trip is Isiah 6:8 "Here I am, send me." We are very excited to see how God is going to use us on this trip and to see what He is going to teach us.
This is Heidi Williamson's first trip to Burundi. Heidi says the most rewarding thing I have been blessed with from God here on earth has been a great, supportive and encouraging husband and family. My parents, grandparents and great grandparents and family members instilled great values in me. I have been married for 17 years to Michael and we have two beautiful daughters, Myka (16) and Maya (15). I am so full of expectancy as I get ready to go to Burundi. I trust that God's Will be done before, during and after this trip. It is truly a blessing to have the opportunity to go to Burundi, Africa in October. This will be my first mission trip and I'm sure the citizen's of Burundi will bless me way beyond my expectations. I knew early in my life I would do mission work all over the world. I love serving in my own community and I'm sure this trip will be great. I have been attending Forest Hill Church for more than six years and I knew one day the time would come for me to step out and be obedient to God’s call by serving abroad.
Heidi's favorite Bible verse is Psalm 91:1-2 "Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust Him."
This is David and Annabelle Suddreth's second trip to Burundi. Last year, their team pitched 10 church tents that serve not only as places of worship but also as community centers for several villages in Burundi. This year, they look forward to visiting the church tents, providing encouragement and reassurance to the adults and children who are being served at these tents. David and Annabelle look forward to renewing friendships with their Burundian brothers and sisters they met a year ago. Their Bible verse for this trip is Isaiah 6:8: Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”