Elise Webber (2009)

This past year Elise was a valued member of TESTIFY, a music and drama ministry team who ministered to churches and youth camps during Winterim break in January and eight weeks during the summer. This was a spiritually growing period for each team member, even for those who toured on two previous occasions. But for Elise, she talked about how she was “stretched” in many ways.

One week after TESTIFY returned from their summer tour, Elise left for one of the “Stan” countries, located in the Middle East for a one-year internship. She is doing life, living among Kurdish people, teaching them English, and building relationships. Her apartment is located near a coffee shop where the students come to practice their English and it is a great way to make friends. Although she does not hold formal meetings and services, she is able to sit, sip coffee, and talk to students in the coffee shop. Her life is full, and she is thankful for each day that she gets to fulfill her dream, teach, make friends, and do life with them.

Elise writes: “I am in the Middle East right now teaching English at the L.I.F.E center. I am also privately tutoring a lady in English and being tutored in Kurdish. Classes do not start until after Ramazan and so right now I am making friends and learning the language as well as being a part of the worship team for the international church.

“At TFC I grew into the person I am now, and am continuing to grow. There I was taught that learning is a life-long process and I am definitely realizing how true that is. I am learning how to jump into a place and among a people I do not know surrounded by a language that I do not understand . . . yet! And I am loving every minute of it! In classes I learned a lot about “Pa” and how to be His follower and the richness that His Word has, but here I am now living that out. Learning what it looks like to be His follower and not just say I am, to live out His Word and not just say it for memory. It's not easy, and it's not very comfortable as it was at TFC when I was surrounded by family and fellowship all the time. Now I have to fight for that fellowship and that time with “Pa,” and I wouldn’t have it any other way!

"I have only been here for a month, and I have already made many friends and have been stretched and grown in so many ways I cannot begin to say it all now. I do know that “Pa” is faithful and has been so good to me. I look around at where I am and stand in awe . . . and I am so thankful for this opportunity to come and teach and make new friends and learn a new language and experience all that He has for me. He is amazing and I am so thankful to be His.”