by SARAH ROBERTS
Two young Kiwi missionaries are embarking on an adventure into the unknown and they trust God will guide them.
Olivia Frahm and Samuel Pitcaithly, both 22, will be putting their lives at home on hold to answer God’s call to serve. They both attend Christ the King church in Burnside in Christchurch.
“Since I was 11-years old I always knew I wanted to do a mission. I came to know a short time ago that God was preparing me to go,” Olivia said. “It’s courageous to leave everything and do something other than study when you’re young.”
“You have to be faithful — God is calling you and will work to equip you with what is needed to achieve the mission.”
Olivia, who was a youth co-ordinator at Christ the King, will be spending 18 months at the “Farm of the Child” Children’s Home in Trujillo in Honduras.
The home cares for children often neglected or abused and is under 24-hour security. Olivia is the first non-American to work there.
“When I was looking for a mission I became disheartened — none of them looked right until a friend told me about the home. It was based on the Holy Family and its way of living and I knew it was the one for me,” she said.
Olivia needs $19,000 for the mission. This includes flights, language lessons, accommodation and food costs during her stay and one trip home during service.
Samuel will be serving at NET Ministries in Ireland, leaving in early August. During his time he will see Pope Francis at the World Meeting of Families in Dublin.
“I want to share my journey and my faith and sharing about getting to know Christ and the joy it brings,” he said.
NET Ministries Ireland helps organise retreats in parishes and schools. It encourages young people to love Jesus and embrace the Church.
“One night I asked God what I was supposed to be doing at this time. I felt God saying to give him a couple of years to give something back,” Samuel said.
Samuel, who has been a youth leader in his parish, has been working as an engineer at Synlait Milk since graduating in November with an engineering degree from the University of Canterbury.
He needs $11,000 plus flights to cover costs for the mission. Samuel has been organising raffles and quiz nights to help cover costs.
Email Samuel at [email protected] if you would like to make a donation.
Go to givealittle.co.nz and search ‘liv in Honduras’ to make a donation towards Olivia’s mission.
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