Hey Expedition Crew!

Can I just say, ya’ll are one heck of an awesome group?! I’ve loved reading the blogs you’ve posted and the conversations you’ve had already on Facebook and our team blog.

My name is Elizabeth Hanisch and I am one of your leaders and will be with team 1!  I am so excited about what these next four months hold!

Just some little snippets about me…

• I come from rather large family – seven siblings to be exact. And two amazing parent (who made all that happen!)
• I was born and raised in Lexington, Kentucky. I currently live about 40 minutes outside of Cincinnati, Ohio but “home” for me, as of the last 2 years has pretty much been wherever my ThermaRest and backpack, and God’s calling has been. It’s been quite a ride!
• I am passionate about YOU. There isn’t any place I’d rather invest than in THIS generation.
• I love to worship in the freedom that comes from living in Christ – and I strive to cultivate that environment for others.
•   I love to laugh!
• My heart and life have been exposed in the rawest of ways to the issue of Human Trafficking – and because of what I’ve seen, and been exposed to, its driven me to advocate and fight for those trapped in modern day slavery around the world.
• Spanish ends up being my default language in every country – especially when I’m not in Central/South America.
• I do sleep talk.
• Bonfires, sunsets, sour skittles, country music, dancing, road trips, fresh mangos, swimming, people watching (not to be confused with being a “creeper.”), journaling, lemonade, running, roller coasters, coffee and the color red are some of my favorite things.

In May of 2010 I went on Passport trip (formerly called RealLife) in Nicaragua. Those 2 months changed my life forever. I left the States and returned two months later as two completely different people – for the absolute best. 

Six months later, in January of this year I went on the World Race, with a specific focus on Human Trafficking. We worked with anti-sex trafficking organization in Cambodia, Thailand, India, and Atlanta, Georgia. There is no to really explain what I saw, felt and experienced. It was a trip like non other, and it left me in a place that I will forever be advocating, raising awareness, and working towards an end to modern day slavery. Over the next four months I’d love to tell some of the incredible stories from the Race.

 I came home in May for a few short weeks. Ten days actually, then headed back out to lead a Passport trip to Guatemala/Honduras this past summer!

The summer was full miracles, healings, freedom in Christ, lots of sickness (yup, welcome to it!), heat like heck, struggles, some times tears and lots of laughs, and opportunity at every turn to love like Jesus, both in community and in ministry.

Came back to Cincinnati in August to work and be with my family for a few months…

…and now back out with ya’ll awesome people!

I’m thrilled to meet each of you personally and to hear your heart, your stories and your journey of how you are HERE; on this team, on this trip, and in this family!

Praying for you as you count down the days, say those last goodbyes, pack your life into a backpack, and head to Georgia! See you soon!

Much love,

Eliza ~*