Hello friends! I have the privilege of teaching 6th grade at the Esther School this year. As much as I am going to do my best with what God has given me to teach, I know I have so much more to learn from the kiddos and staff at the school and am beyond excited to meet them. I definitely had not planned to go overseas with my education degree, but God has led my steps to this point and I am expectant upon His promises to be faithful as I enter into this next part of the journey (Proverbs 16:9 “A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps”).

I grew up in a small town, Hortonville, WI, with my family – parents and 3 brothers. Childhood was filled with outdoor forts, tire swings, sports, ice skating, and trying to be the best tomboy sister I could be, which eventually I gave up on, realizing I liked a lot of gross “girly” things haha. My family was very involved with church, I had a few close friends, enjoyed school, and joined choirs, musicals, and soccer. My easy-going, wholesome childhood was not enough though. At the age of 12, I was faced with the fact that I’d never be “good enough” on my own to live according to the Bible, which I believe is God’s perfect instruction for us in life. So I asked Jesus for forgiveness for my sins through his sacrifice on the cross and started a personal relationship with God.

Then I went to college at UW La Crosse for five years and grew a lot in faith and friendships. I also discovered some other passions: swing dancing, hammocking, running, hiking, roller blading, journaling, fishing, coffee, and traveling. Through the church I attended and the campus organization Cru, I was able to go on mission trips to Southeast Asia for three weeks and North Mrytle Beach, SC for three months.

Not only did these trips increase my view of God’s greatness in the world and love for other cultures, but the latter trip is where God allowed me to meet the Costleys (headmasters of the Esther School) on the beach. After hearing about the school, I researched and prayed about it more in the fall and discovered a passionate, prayer-centered team of educators in Zambia concerned with the needs of the whole child – spiritual, intellectual, physical, and emotional. God confirmed my decision to apply a few more times and since then I have felt overall peace about the decision to go.

I am excited to see what God has in store at the Esther School for the children, for myself, and for the rest of the staff there. Thank you for your interest in how God is at work in my life and those at the Esther School.

Blessings,

Erika Lichtfuss