I’m Grace Brinsfield, the Monsoon intern. Agriculture has been an important part of my life growing up on a vegetable and grain farm in Maryland. I studied agronomy and soil science at the University of Maryland in College Park. Through Baptist Campus Ministries, I was able to do a two-month mission trip with other students to Cambodia.
With that first exposure to cross cultural ministry God was inviting me to be devoted to him rather than myself. I was teaching at an English school for Khmer children. The teachers and administrators used their platform to build relationships and share the Gospel in the community. This challenged me to care for others more holistically.
My time here at ECHO Florida has been marked by sweet friendship within the intern cohort, challenging conversations with people from different backgrounds, and great growth in how I relate to God and his people. On top of a busy farm schedule, I have been able to get involved with Chi Alpha, a campus ministry at Florida Gulf Coast University. The first semester was full of making relationships with those within the ministry and during the second semester I have been able to pray and share the gospel with students on campus.
Next, as I explore what ministry may look like for me, I will be going on a six-month field experience with ECHO in Senegal. During this time, I will assist with training events for local farmers, learn about how to repurpose waste streams and help set up a seed bank. Your prayers for this time would be greatly appreciated. Please pray that I could show the light of Jesus to the Wolof and Serer peoples.