Leah Sweetman

Who I Am

A call to cross cultural ministry has been a small but constant voice in much of my young adult life. Growing up I saw the value of ministry as my own family made choices and sacrifices to serve full time in a church setting. I also had the opportunity to be involved in various short trips for mission projects and experiences. During a study abroad semester last year, I was affirmed in my interest in entering new places yet empowering local communities. Additionally, while studying ministry in college, I was challenged to approach ministry through intentional relationships rather than tasks. In this way, it creates a codependent relationship and better allows me to both learn and teach. It also helped me better realize the way God is already active in these places around the world. This opportunity allows me to enter humbly into a new place and experience, witness, and testify to the work that God is doing in and through the people of Central America.

Vision and Mission

In Costa Rica, I will be living in an intentional community at Casa Adobe. Much of this time I will spend learning culture and language, and interacting with the locals. I also will be working with their garden and composting initiatives and offering tutoring services to assist students with schoolwork in the online format. In May, I anticipate moving to Nicaragua to begin working with the Nehemiah Center. My work there will be with the Somos Diacanos program that will help local pastors identify assets and challenges in their communities and the best way that they can address these to build a stronger future. I will also be participating in the Buen Sentido finance program as it transitions from Nehemiah Center leadership to local leadership. In all of this, I seek to use this time to grow in my relationship with God through discipleship, expand my worldview by embracing a new culture, challenge my comfort zone with new people and language, and learn vital workplace skills.

Partner in Missions

I would love to have your support in this project. I ask that you would support me in prayer so that it is God who is exalted and that He is shown to others. I would also be grateful for any economic contribution if this is something that calls your heart.