About

Hello all! So my name is Steph and here is a little bit about me: I attended Virginia Tech for my undergraduate degree…and LOVED it. My years at Tech were some of the best years of my life. I met friends who will be life-long friends for me. I also fell in love with college football while there….go Hokies! I graduated from Tech and moved on to Virginia Beach in order to attend Regent University for graduate school in community counseling.

I spent three years in Virginia Beach, having fun, making great friends, and learning a lot!! During my first year in Virginia Beach I went on a mission trip with my church at the time, Coastal Community Church. We went to South Africa and Mozambique for two weeks. While there I fell in love with South Africa and an orphanage there called the Bethany House! The following summer I went to Zambia and again to South Africa in order to explore options for the future. I also went back to the Bethany House and again felt drawn to work there. Last November a pastor who I had met with in South Africa multiple times, came to Virginia Beach. He sat me down and challenged me to tithe a year of my life to God, head to South Africa, and spend a year volunteering with the Bethany House.

I began to pray about this, seeking God’s wisdom for what to do. I had little information on what I would be doing, where I would be staying, or when I would be leaving but one day I was drawn to Hebrews 11:1, 8-12.

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see”                                                   Hebrews 11:1

“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country: he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.”                                                            Hebrews 11:8-12

After reading these, I knew God was calling me to walk in faith and to commit to spending a year in South Africa even though I did not know much of what I would be doing. This was faith, to say yes even though I did not have all the answers!

I just graduated from Regent University with my Master’s degree (which was super exciting) and now I am heading to South Africa, leaving July 6th. I will be spending a year there, working with the Bethany House to counsel children who have untreated trauma. It is going to be a challenging and amazing year…and I made this blog to share the ups and downs, joys and sorrows, and my overall growth and experience.