Kaylyn Duda
Sending Church: Springfield UMC
Kaylyn is called to serve and share God’s love through the Global Mission Fellows Program. She hopes to build community with those that need to be encouraged and strengthened. Throughout the Bible we see that God is calling us to be courageous. In the New Testament, Christ’s healing miracles give us hope. We are moved to respond to needs with compassion, determination, and grace. Kaylyn will be serving as an English as a Second Language (ESL) Teacher at the Mosaico Learning Center. This center provides help to low-income families, single-parent families, immigrant families, and large families with 3 or more siblings of school age in Spain. Kaylyn will be teaching children skills that will positively contribute to their academic success. Teachers have a direct role in encouraging, strengthening, and mentoring children. Our future is dependent on our youth and our faith. Please support Kaylyn with your prayers and financial gifts as she teaches children. Jesus loves us. Inspired by John 15:9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.”
Daniel Mohr
Sending Church: Sterling UMC
Calling to GMF- The UMC Global Mission Fellowship website has been bookmarked on my computer for a few years now. I am not quite sure what first drew me to the program but it never left my mind as I went through my last few years of college and graduated. GMF seemed like the perfect mix of mission, international experience, and chance to get closer with God. I didn’t anticipate being placed in Austria but I think it makes a lot of sense and I am excited for the opportunities this placement will provide.
Relationship to VA Conference- I have been a member of the Virginia Conference since I was confirmed at Sterling United Methodist Church in 2013. This is my third year acting as a delegate to Annual Conference and my first time attending in person. I am still a member at Sterling UMC but have attended Centreville UMC and Wesley Memorial UMC regularly over the past few years. I was an active member of Wesley Foundation at UVA and served as Vice President of the Student Coordinating Council this past year.
Training Formation and Anticipation – Training for GMF has been more comprehensive than I first anticipated. I will be completing my virtual orientation later this month, but I have already completed several modules related to professionalism in the workplace, inclusivity, and theology of the church. One of the most interesting and intensive action items has been a power analysis of the city we live in. I researched and wrote a report on the power structures of Charlottesville, Virginia, and analyzed the city through 5 different lenses to show how people are being marginalized and how God’s justice is shining through. It’s been pretty interesting to look at my home context before going abroad. I am nervous and excited for what lies ahead in Austria.
