Catherine

Where are you from?

I am from Boston, Massachusetts

Fun Fact about you?

A fun fact about me is that I loooooove watching cooking shows! Right now, I’m obsessed with “Master Chef” and “Zumbos Just Desserts”.

What is your occupation? 

Kindergarten Paraprofessional

What are you most passionate about? 

I am passionate about working with children! They are amazing and have so much to offer. I love working with them and helping them to realize and achieve their full potential. My goal is to encourage, show love and compassion to, and teach the children I’m blessed to be around.

What made you choose to go on a Brave By Faith Travel Experience? 

I chose to go on a Brave By Faith Travel Experience because it was truly an answered prayer. Months prior to the posting of the first Brave By Faith Destination (Dubai), I was praying for an opportunity to fellowship with a group of girls of shared faith and a chance to travel with a purpose. I was at a point in my life where I felt stuck in a routine and I needed to step out on faith. As soon as I saw Juliette post about the Cape Town experience, I knew I had to be a part of it. It’s been one of the best decisions I’ve made and I’m forever thankful to the whole BBFT team. 

What was your most defining moment of your Brave by Faith Experience in?

My most defining moment of my Brave By Faith Experience in Cape Town was during the fourth day of our trip.  

We climbed Lions Head! It was definitely one of the hardest things I’ve done but the most rewarding. God spoke to me and taught me so much on that mountain. It was defiantly a reflection of my relationship with Him and I was presented with revelation after revelation! The biggest one was while I was speaking to one of the girls from the trip about my fears and feelings of inadequacy about the task I was asked to perform later that day.

If you asked me 10 years ago if I ever saw myself speaking in front of an audience, I’d say, “No way! ” Public speaking was never something that I felt comfortable doing. I would get so nervous that my voice to start to quiver,and my hands and legs would start to shake. I never thought it would be something I would get to do, especially not in a whole other country. So when I was asked to make and teach an Easter lesson to 200 children one day then 400 the next day, I was terrified. But it was on Lions Head that my BBF sister spoke to me and said, “You don’t have to be afraid. God is using you and He’ll move through you. You just need to let Him use you.” Later that day I got up on that stage with no fear , no shaky anything. I was just an open vessel letting the Lord move. It’s amazing that even when we feel inadequate, God reminds us that, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!” Philippians 4:13

 I left Cape Town with greater faith, knowing that my God is with me, in and through EVERYTHING! I never have to rely on my own strengthen. I am Brave by Faith. I’m so grateful to the Brave By Faith Team for this once in a lifetime experience.

What does being Brave by Faith mean to you? 

Being “Brave by Faith” means letting go of any fears you have and leaping into what God has called you to do. It’s letting my FAITH be greater than my FEARS. It’s remembering Psalms 16:8 :

“I keep my eyes always on the Lord.
With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”