Dear Friends and Family,

            As some of you may know, this year I am taking a gap year between high school and college through Westside: A Jesus Church with their nine-month internship program. This year, I have been working with their sister church, 26 West, in the young adult group. I have loved being a part of not only the Westside community, but also the 26 West community. In addition to the young adult group, I have been serving in the kids department during Sunday morning gatherings at 26 West and serving at the six o’clock evening service at Westside. On Monday and Tuesday mornings, I gather with the rest of the interns involved in the program for class where we learn about Theology and more of God’s heart and character.

            At the end of the program in May, we will all be taking a trip for two months to various locations to apply what we have learned this year. This December, I found out that I will be traveling to Kampala, Uganda! I am beyond excited for this opportunity.

            While in Uganda, we will be doing a variety of things in different places including working with an orphanage and serving the home mothers there. It’s so cool to see how God has been working this year to bring me to do this work. I honestly never pictured myself working with kids, but I love seeing how God has placed me in the young adult ministry and now is sending me to this amazing country to serve with the kids there as well. Although this may be uncomfortable, I am so excited for God to stretch me and teach me more about Himself and how He has created me. I know with confidence that He has amazing things to teach me and to do in the community in Uganda. I can’t wait to discover and dive into those wonderful mysteries!

            I want to invite you to be a part of God’s work in Uganda! Two ways that you can support are through prayer both while I’m still here preparing and through monetary donation to my trip. My goal is to raise $4,600 before I take off. Please pray about and consider how you would like to be a part of this work! Thank you so much for partnering with me in this incredible journey! I am looking forward to sharing the amazing things God will do in those two months.

Blessings!

Tess Russell