A New Chapter

Hi! Welcome to my Adventures page!

My name is Alissa. I’m currently 32 years old and excited to announce that I have joined Adventures in Missions as a full-time staff member in the World Race department!

I grew up in Syracuse, NY with my wonderful, loving, and supportive parents, David and Barbara Van Arnam. There’s not a birthday, sports competition, recital, or any life event really, that they’ve not made a priority and been present for.

They even flew out to Thailand to experience the World Race with me in 2016!

I have a younger sister, Marcy who, over the years, has become one of my best friends. She married the love of her life last year, Robert and I’m so thrilled to live (just barely) within driving distance of them in Washington, DC. They are also newly pet parents to a sweet one and a half year old beagle, Willa Mae.

Since graduating from Duke University in 2007, I’ve lived in 4 states all across the country in pursuit of the American Dream. 

I finally landed that “dream life” in Orange County, CA doing medical device sales. I had (and still have!) the best friends out there and a wonderful community. I was involved with my church and led a bible study.

I was a part of an amazing group of women rowing with the Newport Aquatic Center (shout out to my WOWers!).

And lived in a beach house with my best friends.

 

AND I was blessed with my puppy, Teddy. 🙂

But as I remained there, things began to change. And one by one, the Lord started to remove things from my life. In the fall of 2014, I was laid off from my corporate sales job. People were getting busier and our bible study started to dissolve. My friends were transitioning into new seasons: new jobs, engagements, and starting families.

Over the course of 2015, the Lord started doing a work in me as I struggled with unemployment. Doors of opportunity kept closing that I eagerly tried to pry open. He continued to strip away the things I was desperately clinging to, things I was beginning to idolize and let define me.

Then, as the year progressed, my focus and perspective began to shift. I realized that the things I was holding in such high esteem: a flashy job title, material possessions, etc. were not sustaining me and were not what gave me worth.

As I searched to find the missing pieces to the puzzle that was my life, I realized what the Lord had been trying to tell me for years…

My scope was too small.

As I continued to ask the Lord: “What is next?”

He finally responded: “Think bigger.”

And in January of 2016, I set out on the World Race to 11 countries in 11 months.

I was exposed to some of the harshest living conditions.

I fell in love with children countless times in every country I traveled to, who desperately needed to feel loved and cared for and to simply be held.

I spent time laughing and crying with women who sell their bodies nightly to put food on the table for their children.

I babysat for missionaries (our ministry hosts) who have given everything they have: their time, their resources, and their lives, to serve others in countries that are not their own, who haven’t been able to go on a date in over 3 years because they’re stretched so thin.

I learned how to say “hello” and “thank you” in over 7 languages.  

I learned that LOVE is the universal language.

And at the end of that 11 months, I came home forever changed.

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I learned how to say “hello” and

“thank you” in over 7 languages.  

I learned that LOVE

is the universal language.

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If you know me well, you might say I’m a fiercely passionate person. And if there’s something I’m passionate about, odds are I will tell you ALL about it! Whether it’s an epic movie or a beautiful song, whether it’s something I learned from work or reading the bible, whether it’s something I heard in a podcast or in a church sermon, whether it’s my favorite candy or the sport of rowing… chances are I’ve tried to sell you on how great it is too! 🙂 

That is my life’s calling: to freely give away to others the blessings I’ve received, the hardships I’ve encountered, the passions I’ve acquired, the cultures I’ve experienced, and the lessons I have learned.

You see, when you are richly blessed, you aren’t meant to keep it merely for your own consumption. You are called to use your gifts, your talents, and your resources to bless others. And to do so with joy! It is in these moments of giving that I have come to discover, I’ve been even more richly blessed.

2 Corinthians 9:7-8 puts it this way: “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all you need, you will abound in every good work.”

Or as the old saying goes: “It’s better to give than to receive.”

What if we all lived our lives from a posture of giving instead of acquiring or receiving?

It’s this way of thinking that inspired me to go back out and Squad Lead last year.

I had the most life-changing, perspective-shifting year of my life on the World Race and I could not wait to invite and lead others into this same experience!

So, in 2017 I traveled to 5 additional countries with another group of excited world-changers!

As last year progressed on my “second go around” with the World Race, the Lord continued to challenge and grow me. I grew in my perspectives, my personal maturity, spiritual authority, and scope of influence. I walked in more humility and learned how to lead effectively by having a heart posture of service – to get behind or beneath and lift up, rather than in front or above and pull along.

And I had the honor and privilege of serving alongside two of my favorite humans: my co-leaders Cameron and Danae.

As I returned from my second mission trip abroad, and as the fall/winter of 2017 approached, I had to make a choice. Do I go back to a life of pursuing personal endeavors? Or do I live a life of full-time ministry and service?

I quickly realized the 2 choices weren’t mutually exclusive. You can’t come back from an experience like I was honored to have with the World Race and not be changed. You can’t simply come back and pick up where you “left off.”

But how do I continue to use the gifts and talents I’ve been blessed with and acquired over the course of my life, and apply them as I move forward?

That’s when I was asked to consider coming on staff with Adventures in Missions, in the World Race department and become a Squad Mentor. After much prayer and consideration, I’ve accepted the position!

So what does being a Squad Mentor entail?

Well, first: I am officially HOME! …In the US that is 🙂 I have moved to Gainesville, GA where the Adventures in Missions organization is headquartered.

Second: I have my own squad! Well, I don’t “own” it. But I get the privilege of leading a squad through their 11 month journey with the World Race!

Meet 5th generation F Squad!

I will lead a collaborative leadership team to guide the process of spiritual formation and discipleship for World Race participants across all phases of the trip cycle for a squad: starting at training camp, when they officially “launch”, and throughout their time on the field.

You might have seen a picture or two from my new squad’s training camp back in October.

 

Here’s my training team at training camp!… and a few photo bombers 🙂

And just earlier this month, I spent 5 days training my Alumni Squad Leaders, then launching my new squad!

Meet our leadership team:

 

Third: 4-5 times per year, I will fly out to the squad on the field to facilitate a “debrief” where I will provide teachings, one-on-one counseling sessions, prayer, as well as minister to the squad’s field leadership.

So in short, a Squad Mentor is a minister of Adventures in Missions who equips, trains, and leads participants in their World Race mission trip.

On September 29th, 2015, I wrote in the “About me” section of my World Race blog:

“I’m expecting God to transform me in this experience and I can only hope it will radically change the course of my life when I return. I pray ultimately that God would use me to point those around me back to Him. I want my life to be a light that inspires others to pursue their God given calling.”

God is so faithful.

He answered my prayers and I am doing just that. 

 

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I’m currently building my support team that will commit to coming alongside me as I continue to work where God has called me. Will you prayerfully consider joining my team by becoming a monthly financial supporter? Or even a one-time donation? Any and all contributions help me towards my goal and are greatly appreciated!

I have been so blessed by all the support I have had throughout these past few years and know God has given me great people in my life to continue to follow my adventures via my blog, pray for me and my squad’s work abroad, and support my work financially.

Thank you for being a part of my life!

Love and hugs,

Alissa 🙂