Hi there! I’m Ella.
I’m 18 years old, I was raised in Bend, Oregon, where I live with my parents, two brothers, and our four crazy pups. I currently work as a barista at Dutch Bros. When I’m not at work, I like to spend my time reading, and my favorite genres are romance and fantasy. I also want to spend time at the gym, where I have been focusing on weight training. I’m the type who always likes to have music playing. My favorite artist is Taylor Swift, but I also love to try out new music and broaden my horizons. One of my favorite ways to listen to music is through my CDs and vinyls, which I have started to collect.
Growing in Faith
I’ve always known Jesus, and my family’s faith has been my foundation for as long as I can remember. But in the last couple of months, I’ve been learning what it means to have my relationship with Him. One of the biggest surprises was how a personal health crisis, while tough at the time, turned out to be a gift in disguise. In the middle of that storm, I felt God’s presence in a whole new way, and came out of it more resilient, hopeful, and deeply convinced that He has a plan for me.
“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.” Jeremiah 29:11
Answering the Call to YWAM
Growing up, I heard stories of YWAM from my mom; she went on DTS when she was about my age, so I always thought it sounded incredible, but never imagined it would be my path. But I have been praying for guidance in my life recently (because honestly, I have no clue what I want to do), and then one night, the idea of YWAM just popped into my head. I spent the next day researching, and the Wayfinders DTS grabbed my heart. I felt a pull to push pause on trying to figure out the rest of my life, and take some time to learn who God is, and serve His Kingdom.
What I Hope To Experience
During these six months, I want to learn to recognize God’s voice in the everyday moments, build lifelong friendships with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, and experience new cultures while serving communities in need. I’m especially excited to grow deeper in my walk with the Lord and to discover the clear next steps He has for my life, whether that’s training in the medical field to care for women and children or something completely unexpected.
How You Can Partner With Me
Walking away from home for half a year is thrilling and nerve‑wracking, especially as the oldest child and first to leave. That’s why I’m so grateful for your support. No matter the size, every gift directly covers tuition, housing, meals, and outreach projects. Together, we’re not just funding a trip but sowing into the Kingdom of God globally.
If you feel called to stand with me, I promise to keep you updated on every step of this journey, stories from the field, photos of new friends, and insights on how God is moving. I can’t wait to share more of my story with you!
Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Let’s explore this beautiful world God created, and make heaven crowded, one life at a time.
– Ella
