Two young women from our synod will be traveling to India on a 12 day study seminar in February 2007. Through this collaborative effort between Global Missions and Women of the ELCA, these women will become global educators after their journey and will share their attained knowledge about justice issues including HIV-AIDS, sex trafficking, education and class differences. Following is their stories of what had led them to this point in their lives and where they hope to go from here:

My name is Louise Brooks and I was baptized Catholic, but raised a Lutheran. While I was growing up my mom would drag me, and my brother, to church and Sunday School at St. Mark’s in Huntsville, Alabama. Now I thank her everyday for doing that. It was my mom who gave me the chance to grow up at the church; I attended my first WELCA convention at the age of 16 and we taught 1st & 2nd grade Sunday school together when I was just 19, among other activities within the church. With my parents support I managed to become active on the church unit’s WELCA board working my way up to President. For the next couple of years I became a woman on a mission to increase my activities within WELCA, including becoming Cluster Coordinator and a Synod board member. I’m currently in school trying to finish up my bachelors in psychology at UAH. I hope to graduate this spring!!! I am married to a very supportive and loving husband, Adam Brooks, who is working on his nursing degree. When he graduates, we will move to South Carolina where I hope to attend the Southeastern seminary. My life’s plan stops there. God has shown me that my schedule for life does not necessarily coincide with His schedule. So I try to keep an open mind and a flexible plan. We do hope to have kids someday so that we can shower them with love and raise them to be faithful Christians.

I am Relicia “Lisa” Hamm and I am pleased to have been chosen to attend the 2007 Global Education and Advocacy Seminar to India. Through this extraordinary mission, I endeavor to bridge the cultural gap; become more aware of social issues concerning women and girls; foster understanding of those issues; and build important relationships with the people of India.  Born the older of two children to a family of ministers, I always felt the Lord calling me into ministry.  During a convention in Toronto, Canada, I felt Jesus opening my heart to international missions.  Though I participated in a missionary trek to assist Katrina victims in Ocean Springs, Mississippi and orchestrated community service projects in the inner city of Lawrence, Massachusetts, it seemed as though full-time missions would be the only pathway for me.  While I have concern for all of God's people, I feel a special calling to provide for both the physical and spiritual needs of Latin Americans.  In keeping with this divine calling, I have enrolled in the University of Georgia this fall to pursue agricultural studies as a precursor to service as an agricultural missionary in Latin America and throughout the world.

Lisa Hamm and Louise Brooks are both exceptionally well qualified to be a part of this endeavor. They are women of faith, vision, and commitment. As they eagerly anticipate this journey, they would appreciate the prayers of our synod as they travel. Since both are presented enrolled in college programs, they could also use financial support from individuals or groups within the synod. If you would like to help them, they can be contacted at the following:

Louise Brooks
105 Kingsridge Drive
Harvest, AL 35749
mkt@marc-research.com Lisa Hamm
421 W. Hancock Ave., Apt. 205
Athens, GA 30601
ralecia@hotmail.com