A Missionary in the United States by Rev. Kristin Engstrom
Like many of you, I did not expect COVID to have such a lengthy impact on our lives in the United States. When I left Senegal in late March, I expected to return in a few months. But, it’s now August, and I am still in the United States as are many other ELCA missionaries.
I want to share with you what that means for me as and ELCA missionary.
Due to COVID-19, the 2020-2021 Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) year will be a Jubilee year. We will not host YAGM in our companion countries, but we will continue with ministry. YAGM Country Coordinators, including myself, will focus on a YAGM program evaluation, YAGM specific continuing education, and relationships with our companions.
The YAGM Country Coordinators will also be sharing stories from YAGM alumni and YAGM companions, as well as working to create a program that more intentionally embodies the values of the Kindom of God, especially in the areas of anti-racism and gender justice. In July we began by hosting an Anti-Racist Book Study via social media and zoom. You can follow these program-wide initiatives at the ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission social media pages: Facebook: www.facebook.com/ELCAYAGM Instagram: www.instagram.com/elcayagm Twitter: twitter.com/elcayagm
During these past months, I have visited many congregations virtually. I have enjoyed connecting and sharing with you through preaching, participating in meetings, or creating short videos. Thank you to everyone who invited me into your congregation this spring and summer. I hope to return to Senegal soon, but until then, I live and work as a missionary in the United States, alongside of all of you. After all, we are all called to be missionaries of God’s Kindom, no matter where we live.
Accompanying Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM)—Senegal
My work as an ELCA Global Missionary is possible thanks to the generosity of many congregations and individuals in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Thank you! Jerejef! Merci! Jokonjol! Jahram! You can contact me via e-mail at kristin.engstrom@elca.org. You are also invited to support me as an ELCA Global Misionary here. If you would like to see more pictures and stories from YAGM Senegal, please visit our blog at http://yagmsenegal.wixsite.com/blog.
