Charity Salchert is a young lady who needs no introduction… at least around Campus Life. This 25-year-old med surge nurse has been a staple at Campus Life and their many programs since she was in middle school. She’s made friends, impacted lives through volunteering, and it’s time for a change. A big change. “Ethnos360 is reaching out to unreached people groups. For me, as a nurse, I’ll be on their base to support missionary families,” explains Charity about her next chapter in life working as a missionary nurse. She’ll be leaving her work at Aurora hospital in Grafton, her family’s home, friends, and of course, Campus Life to venture to Papua New Guinea (PNG) for a year-long mission trip. Awaiting Charity in PNG will be a missions staff of 250 people with a school, church, devoted clinic and she’ll be there to help provide medical care in a region where such care is hard to find. This won’t be the first time Charity has worked as a nurse on a volunteer basis. When Campus Life hosted summer camps at Camp Bird in Crivitz, Charity would work as a nurse. Charity has also done short-term missions with Campus Life, going to Belize in 2019 and Ecuador in 2012. “Working with Campus Life taught me how to lead a team,” said Charity. “I’ve been able to take ministry and leadership experience to all areas of my life. Campus Life was a building block and a springboard.”
"Campus Life was a building block and a springboard."
One of the biggest leaps Charity will be making will be one away from her living situation. While most young adults can’t wait to get away from home, Charity has lived at home symbiotically with her parents. She helps with her medically-fragile adopted and fostered siblings. And years ago when her mom was chronically sick, she helped her family persevere. And Campus Life helped her. “Campus Life was there for my family when mom was sick,” said Charity. “Sara-Jean, Jim & Denise, they all made us meals. It was a safe place to hang out. And they really encouraged me.” But now, Charity will leave the nest. “This will be the first time in my life to live on my own,” she said. “I’ll have my own house. I’m looking forward to meeting people, hearing their stories, playing sports with the families on the base, and learning about another culture.”
Charity knows a bit about what to expect, since her sister Johanna has recently returned from a 5-year-long mission to Thailand, where she worked in an orphanage.
Like Johanna, Charity will be performing a job function that is normally compensated in the United States, but as a part of Ethnos360, she will still be considered a missionary and will be required to raise her own funds for travel and living expenses. Since she will be leaving next month, and has been planning this move since last June, Charity has been fundraising support for awhile now, including her own savings. She’s also gotten her nursing license for PNG, a work permit and a visa. Her last step is getting approval to fly in because of Covid. While away, Charity will be sending out regular emailed updates. “I’m excited about what God is doing. Change is going to happen here, and I’m nervous about things happening while I’m away, but I have peace. For me, it’s less about this huge calling to missions and more about having a relationship with God.”
While this is a big decision, it is one Charity has thought about–and journaled about–for a long time. “I’ve journaled since I was 12, just talking to God first about things.” Charity says she’ll continue this practice while in Papua New Guinea. Sometimes she’ll look back at old journals. “It’s my memorials to see what God has done.” God has lead Charity on a path of service and faith to this point, and her life–and journals–will continue to be memorials for his great work. How you can help: 1. Pray!
Pray that Charity will be a blessing in the clinic.
Pray that God would open Charity’s heart to the people there, both on the base and in the community.
2. Stay in Touch!
Stay in Touch!
Charity knows how important encouragement is and she looks forward to hearing back from people when she sends out her updates. To find out more about how you can help and to receive her updates, email Charity at charitysalchert@gmail.com.