When the Lord gave the call for ministry in Iceland, I was not certain what it would look like, but my desire was to remain malleable in His hands and to follow His lead. As a single mom, with a past that had gnarly roots tangled in sexual abuse, addiction, and a self-worth that was running on empty, He revealed the purpose of the pain. That purpose was to testify to others about the redemption and restoration that is found in the wounds of His hands and feet.

Jesus was and is the greatest example of “purpose through excruciating pain.”

I would not find out until February 27, 2025, that February 2020 was not only significant for me, but it was also the same month that 3,567 miles away, in Reykjavik, Iceland, that Teen Challenge Ísland came in to existence.

Two independent entities, with hearts beating for Jesus, praying for freedom and opportunities for those in active addiction to be delivered and set free… began a journey, unknowingly, that would converge with an aligned mission and vision for a radical, gospel-focused future for women on the island.

It was on the 27th of February at 4pm, after three years of preparation, and three seasons of sowing, that God, in literally, the final moments of my trip (flying out the next afternoon at 4:45pm) flung wide open the door for a long-term season of sowing in Iceland.

For two years I carried with me the immigration paperwork for visa status in Iceland, but the vital piece needed was missing—Visa Status is difficult for those outside of the EU, nearly impossible for Americans, and what I needed was a stable and reputable voice within Iceland to speak on my behalf. A voice of confidence to confirm that there was not only a role, but also a place for me as a missionary.

And within a single afternoon. within a single meeting, within a single moment, the director of TC Ísland and two of her confidants, echoed that they believed that the Lord brought this together and that I was a piece of the tapestry that God was weaving together for the next arm of ministry of TC within the country, specifically for women.

I left that meeting with everything I needed for the Directorate of Immigration and by 9am the next morning, my paperwork was behind the glass and hours later I was flying home with wind in my sails and my faith divinely strengthened, in awe of everything that the Lord had done and excited for everything that is still to come!

This is just the beginning….