Melissa is a 27-year-old Jackson native and alumni of JHHS where she played soccer for the Broncs. She also attended Philadelphia Biblical University and played soccer for the university. After graduating from college she took a trip to South Africa with her father to visit the Smith's, long time family friends and fulltime christian missionaries (7 Rivers Community Trust) to the Kwa-Zulu people of Natal, South Africa. Her visit left a lasting impression.
Her initial trip to Africa in 2010 was only 5 weeks long but it was enough to convince her to return for an entire year. "My eyes were opened to the poverty and utter brokenness of this rural community", says Melissa of the Zulu community near Umkomaas, South Africa. "They are a beautiful people that have been ravaged by a history of war, poverty and deeply affected by the HIV-AIDS epidemic sweeping the country".
During her year stay in Africa, Melissa worked along side the Smith's to help provide physical needs and spiritual needs of the community as the "7 Rivers Youth Director". She also was asked to teach in the 3 local schools and to build a soccer team. In building the soccer team Melissa says, "I focused on building relationships with the kids of the community, loving them and challenging them to be more caring, responsible and honest human beings. From day one we called ourselves The Young Stars". The Young Stars would practice 4 days a week on a dirt field and on some Saturdays drive or hike to play against other communities.
Melissa is scheduled to return to Africa at the end of January to continue her work with the Zulu people. The First Baptist Church in Jackson sponsors her and they have agreed to meet about ½ of her financial needs for the year. Some of her needs include the following: soccer gear (shoes, balls, jerseys, bags and collapsible goals), food parcel money, a vehicle (to transport players between villages).
Melissa is pursuing her dreams and working from her heart. Please call and meet with Melissa to learn more about her work and consider donating goods or funds to help her to continue to enrich the lives of the Zulu community.
Melissa Landis
307-690-5578
melandis84@yahoo.com
