Summer Missionary

This year's Summer Missionary is Team Expansion, Stephanie Sauffley.

I was born and raised in Port Republic, VA. I do come from a Christian home and was influenced by my older brother to attend Roanoke Bible College, where I intended on spending just one year. Four years later, I graduated with my Bachelor's in Bible and a Cross-cultural Ministry minor.

I went on my first mission trip in the spring of 2000 to Indonesia and Thailand. That was my first exposure to extreme poverty and cultural groups that had never encountered Jesus before...ever. 

After graduating from RBC in 2001, I ventured to Venezuela as a group leader, not intending on finding a job. I went to visit a good friend and to learn a little Spanish. I fell head over heels in love with the language, culture, and church there.

By November 2001, I had applied and been accepted to Team Expansion and was on my way to Costa Rica for nine months of language training. I participated in children's ministry there, as well as prison ministry.

I then came home for nine more months to do fund-raising and to do visa work to be able to enter Venezuela as a full-time missionary. So, since May 2003, I have been full-time in Venezuela, taking the occassional holiday vacation back to the states and just recently finishing up a needed six-month furlough to recharge my batteries.

I will leave for Venezuela on December 31st (two days away) to finish things well there and to pack up my belongings. Four and a half years in Venezuela (about six years total in mission work) has blessed me more than words will ever describe. I look foward to moving to Kentucky to be able to recruit and equip other individuals looking to work overseas, whether short-term or long-term.

I also very much look forward to sharing about my time overseas with the kids at camp this coming summer! I think it will be just as good for me as it will be for them:) For me, it'll be reflection. For them, it'll be anticipation of what God can do with them!