The mission of Citylight Global is to empower our church body to faithfully join Jesus’ kingdom movement of multiplying disciples and churches among all peoples by discovering the mission of God, developing members of all ages to step into the various roles of this mission, and sending those called to GO to the unreached.
Last year, Citylight helped send Allee Galusha as a global intern for a one-year assignment to the United Kingdom. She will be teaching English to refugees, partnering with the local church, and engaging in disciple-making among the community. God has been faithful and generous with Allee. Recently, Allee shared an update with her church family and an invitation for prayer.
How has the transition been to the UK?
“The transition has been an answered prayer. Getting here was stressful at first, but as soon as I landed in the UK, I felt at home. My housemate is an answered prayer. I have felt so welcomed. I didn’t have to buy anything, and it’s all cozy and comfortable. I have been able to travel around and learn about British culture. My housemate is British-ish, and she has been so helpful. I don’t know much about the country, but I’m excited to explore it. I have visited five different churches, am a part of a bookstore ministry, and have joined several ESL outreaches. I am also trying to figure out and find a sense of normalcy.
My team has done the same for me. They welcomed me with open arms. They asked me if they could do anything, how they could pray for me, and support me. They have given me space to cry and to feel all the things. Being the youngest on the team, they have not looked at me as the young one. Instead, they have treated me as a woman who is God’s daughter. It has been such a beautiful transition.”
What has God revealed to you in these three months?
“I’m seeing a need to reach the younger generation here from countries with little to no access to the gospel. There are several young adults in their early to mid 20s. I’ve had a handful of opportunities to meet younger girls and young adults at the university. There are many international students here as well. It’s like the whole world is here. It's been awesome to see how I can connect with so many people. Because I have my undergrad in education, I am being sought out as one of the English teachers, too. I am stepping into some of those roles.
Also, getting around the city, public transit, and walking a lot, God has given me an opportunity for courage. I think that the Lord is showing me how capable and willing I am for Him to use me and grow me. I was so comfortable in Omaha. I did everything easily. Here, I have to hype myself up to do the 45 min bus ride. It can be intimidating and scary. I don't know where I am or who I will encounter. I can have confidence in Him and myself, and who He has created me to be, to simply take the bus. I’ve been familiarizing myself with my neighborhood, the city center area, and trusting myself. And, not feeling bad when I make a mistake.
I had a moment not too long ago. I was out running errands, and my phone died. I had to take 2 buses to get home, and after the first bus, my phone died. I had memorized the street names quickly and solely by the Lord, and I made it home. At that moment, I was in awe that I made it. Just a week here in a big city, alone in the dark and in the rain. No way I would have done that in my power. He was there guiding me.”
Who are the people you serve with?
“My team is multi-cultural, and everyone I am interacting with is multi-cultural. There are 7 countries represented on my team across 3 continents. The whole world is in the city I serve and on the team I serve with. Sometimes, being one of the only Americans on the team with my value system, there can be some tension. I have subconscious judgment. The Lord has convicted me of it. Even today! It has been a challenge with so many different backgrounds to accomplish a task. A tone of voice can be misconstrued. It can be frustrating in a conversation and when we are trying to accomplish something together. Sometimes I leave it a bit irritated. Sometimes I can sit back and really recognize that I have made a judgment. But then I hear the Holy Spirit tell me these are God’s people. If this were easy, everyone would do it. It’s not wrong, it’s just different. I need to walk in humble curiosity and ask why they are the way they are, why they hold these values, and even in humor. There is some cultural humor I don’t get. But in the midst of the differences, I see how God is moving in them and through them in a way that connects to specific people groups here! He really is keeping his promises through His Church!”
Serving with a multicultural team, what has God revealed to you?
“I am American and from the Midwest. I am in a bubble. My bubble isn’t bad, but God has popped my cultural bubble. He is teaching me that he has created every person and designed them in so many different ways. Because of God, we can be connected. We could easily be divided, but because of Jesus Christ, we are connected. We get to pray, worship, serve, and gather together.
There could be so many areas of division, but because of Jesus, we can do all these things with oneness. Our foundation is the same, and because of this, we can always come together. To the world, our team dynamics are not normal. Our team gets to step out as brothers and sisters in Christ from every tongue and tribe to every tongue and tribe. We can reach so many demographics because our global team reflects that. There are so many languages spoken on my team. We can reach so many people! In addition, I am getting to be mentored by a couple on my team to learn how to be friends with people from countries where there are not a lot of Christians.”
How can we pray for you?
“Please pray for clarity. Now that I have gotten to explore the various opportunities, where and which circles of people does God want me to invest in? How do I go deep with people, and which people? Prayer for these ministry opportunities. I want Christ working through me and using my giftings. Pray that leads to friendships and within those friendships, I get to share why I am here and who my God is and why I love him.
Prayer for a strong community outside of the local church and within the local church I am attending. People to do life with and for friendships, it can be lonely sometimes.
Pray for my health. I’ve been getting headaches, and nothing is fixing it. To continue surrendering and releasing my willingness to be here. Maybe I am clinging to some form of control. Help with identifying that from the Lord and to come to him.
Lastly, this is the longest time I have been away from home. Pray for peace and comfort."
Church family ... Jesus has commissioned every believer: “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). We obey this command by reaching our own neighborhoods, workplaces, and cities, and some are called to go - to cross borders and cultures to reach the nations. Let us continue being faithful in sending her with our support and prayer. Allee concluded with this:
“Thank you, Citylight! I am so joyful to be stepping into the shoes the Lord has laid before me. I am seeing the woman he wants me to be. I can be confident in that and who he has created me to be. There are so many new feelings, and some I have never felt before, and it's powerful. It’s indescribable. I get emotional just thinking about it. And, I want to say thank you, Jesus!”
Connect with Allee and our other global partners >> https://citylightomaha.org/global/long-term/