The first mission trip Allee Galusha went on was the first time she confessed sin, prayed over the faults in her life, and invited Christ into her whole heart and life. It was the first time she was in a community that together was vulnerable and open about struggles and prayed for one another. The trip forever changed her. Before going to the Dominican Republic (DR) with Citylight’s college ministry, the Salt Company, Allee would have labeled herself as a Christian. Looking back, she would now say she was living a double life.
As a freshman in college and throughout her high school years, Allee attended church and youth group, but never surrendered her life to Christ. Life before the DR was about finding her identity in boys, the partying, and in performance. Although the weight of her guilt and shame was lifted after that first trip, it was exchanged for a new weight.
“I remember coming home and having anxiety,” Allee described. “What was my life going to look like now? I knew I would have to transform and uproot things. I couldn’t live the same life I was living. I now had the power to say ‘no’ to things, who I spent my time with, and where I was going. I got more involved with the Salt Company (Citylight’s college ministry). I joined a Bible study, confessed sin, and prayed. I applied for a longer mission trip the following summer, having seen how God had transformed me in the DR. This time, it was personal. My heart posture was where it was supposed to be.”
The following summer, Allee went with the Salt Company and served in Taiwan. God used Allee yet again for His Kingdom plan and continued His promise to change her.
“This time, being in a season of willingness and openness, God used me,” Allee shared. “I got to experience support raising in a short amount of time. I was a little scared at first, but asked myself, why not? Why not spend your summer in a new culture? God’s desire for continued growth for my heart happened, and in ways I didn’t even know. Through experiencing a new culture and new language, one thing that remains is God is there too and will always be. I had to rely on him. There were no comforts like I had back at home. I had to rely on him and in uncomfortable surroundings solely.”
Coming back from Taiwan, she began to question what she was doing in school and how she could use her education degree and training for God’s purpose.
“I came back confused,” Allee shared. “As an education major, I had been unsure of teaching but felt like it was a secure path. I didn’t know what I was supposed to do. I knew I was getting this degree because of my scholarship in education. I then started to see how the Lord could use this in me. I still had time to figure it out.”
Allee didn’t give up and instead dove into community. She led a City Group and discipled young women. She served on Sundays and was a witness at school. When the next Salt mission trips were announced, Allee felt her heart flutter. After discussing it with a few trusted individuals, she applied for and was accepted to last year’s trip to Albania. On that trip, through faithful people, God gave Allee understanding.
“On that trip, I felt at peace,” Allee described. “The gal who hosted us was this strong, faithful Christian woman. She was in her 30s, single, and had a deep desire to pursue college students and show them love. I felt a strong connection to her and was inspired by her. We had such good, rich, and deep conversations. We talked about what it was like for her. It was an inspiration for me. To see others devoting their whole life to God and her transformation, how she loved people. I wanted to do that. In Albania, we were there for the people and inviting them into the community. It showed me what it looked like to have a deep reliance on God in a spiritually dead place.”
Growing up in Western Nebraska, life felt like it was lived in a bubble for Allee. Before going to Albania and Taiwan, Allee didn’t understand who God is and what he created his people to be. After experiencing discomfort and a newfound reliance on God, her perspective underwent a significant shift. Allee described her new perspective:
“God created individual persons, countries, and cultures, and I experienced it first-hand. I was given a string of experiences the past few years from God in the DR to how he has intertwined these people and cultures, that I now have lifelong friends and a brand-new version of what Christianity looks like. One thing that holds true across cultures is that we have the same Jesus. To see different people praise and worship Jesus is humbling. To see how they do it and I do it, not that one is right or wrong, but no matter what language it is in or where, we are all praising God. In each place I served, I went to church. I heard the gospel in Spanish, Mandarin, Albanian ... even though I didn’t know what they were saying, we were all praising Jesus. It’s so cool. In the uncomfortable, God is present.”
Allee got back from Albania with new hope and peace. She felt God was calling her to global mission. She scheduled a meeting with Citylight’s Global Director, Luke Manna, to talk about serving long-term in a global assignment. From there, they explored organizations and reviewed Allee’s interests. Since then, Allee applied with Pioneers and has been accepted. She will be part of a venture program that offers assignments ranging from six months to one year.
“One big thing for me is to serve on a team that has good culture and dynamics,” Allee said with excitement. “One that does life together, prays for and with one another, and offers discipleship. I also want to utilize the teaching tools and skills I have acquired. I have my ESL also (and want to incorporate my teaching skills). I found a handful of teams and have done some Zoom calls with them. I didn’t have a location in mind, but I was just looking at teams. One team in the UK that I’m waiting for confirmation from the team’s leader is a strong, diverse, and dynamic one. Right now, I’m practicing patience and understanding. I’m hoping September or October for a launch date, but that’s fluid.”
The beginning of this month, Allee was accepted for Pioneer’s Manchester UK team. Allee has begun support raising and gathering a prayer and support team of faithful brothers and sisters in Christ. Looking ahead at all that needs to be accomplished, she asks for prayers from her Citylight family.
Allee declared,
“Prayers for patience and God’s hand in the timing in all of this. Pray that he would bring peace over me even in the midst of the uncertainty of what and whom I am serving. Also, pray for my community as they are preparing and prepping their hearts. Pray for my family ... This is hard on them, as I am the baby of the family. I’m asking them to trust God and in his plan for me during this uncertain time and confusion about what I am doing, to trust me because I trust God.”
When looking back at what God has done for Allee the past four years, Allee concluded with wisdom she has learned, encouragement to her church, and love to her Salt Co. family:
“Say "YES" to going,” Allee exclaimed with joy. “Be okay being uncomfortable. Be open to trying new things. Give up your summer. It is a beautiful gift to serve overseas. You can’t put a price on serving the kingdom of God. Put your "yes" on the table, have your arms open, and be willing. That was huge in my acceptance and wanting to serve God.”
We desire to truly send Allee and others like her out well. The biggest challenge to this is distance and awareness. If you want to be kept in the loop on prayer updates from all our global partners as well as a monthly global spotlight, please sign up here to receive our global updates:
https://citylight.churchcenter.com/people/forms/559649
If you are interested in learning more about the steps Allee and some others are taking to explore and discern God’s calling on their lives, feel free to reach out to Luke, Citylight’s Global Missions Director: luke@citylightomaha.org