Karen Smith steps into a new ministry role as Area Director for Africa, a leadership position that was held by recently-retired the Rev. Dr. Eleazar Ziherambere (EZ).

This past January, I had the privilege of participating in the 30th anniversary celebration of the ministry of the New Life Center Foundation.

Mia is an ethnic Shan girl, and a survivor of labor trafficking and sexual assault. She was abandoned by her family and grew up with a distant relative on the Thai/Burma border. Forced to work in an orange tree orchard throughout her childhood, Mia never attended school.

Since joining International Ministries in 1999, I’ve felt especially blessed to work with such a gifted group of people. Over the years, I have continued to look at my colleagues with a sense of awe, and have remained so grateful that I’ve had the chance to get to know folks who are just plain amazing.