From Africa to Everett

“Mzungu!” the children cry after the car. White person.

There’s dust in the air, hot under the sun, and it mixes with the car exhaust. Alyssa Thompson has the taste of passion fruit on her tongue, and she waves at the greeting from her window with a smile and the crowd parts to let them drive through.

“It was then that I knew I could make a difference in people’s lives,” Thompson recalled.

It was November of 2010, and Thompson’s first international mission trip. It was the trip that changed her life. Because of Africa, Thompson is a Running Start student studying to become a social entrepreneur.

Her dream?

She wants to build a community center called The Sanctuary, a building designed with under-privileged people in mind.

“For people who don’t have access to healthy food or education, or even a good family life,” Thompson said.

Thompson envisions The Sanctuary with a pool, library and other sources of entertainment. It would also house a worship center open at all hours and have councilors on staff.

“Ultimately, the goal is to connect them with churches in the community that can help them and be a good fit for them.

“So it’s a really big dream,” she said. “But I would want it to be the basecamp for a more international ministry.”

This international ministry would include orphanages and community gardens based off of The Sanctuary but would branch into different countries.

“Oh, I believe she can do it,” said Keziah Nelson, long-time friend of Thompson. “It’s not a question of ‘if?’ but ‘when?’”

“Alyssa is resourceful, purpose-driven, intelligent, well-organized and creative,” said Laura Wild,  nutrition professor and SEA Club advisor at EvCC. “She is one that thrives in challenges, and that is what it takes to achieve your dreams.”

Thompson has been preparing herself for that “when?” by utilizing what EvCC has to offer.

“There’s really good connections that I’m making and networking that I’m doing here at EvCC,” said Thompson. “So I can start now just by partnering with the dreams of others and involving myself in this community.”

One of those connections she’s made is with the CRU Club, a Christian-based group on campus.

“The CRU Club has been such a growing experience for me, meeting with other Christians who have a common goal: to love people well and to glorify God,” Thompson said.

Outside of school, Thompson is an active volunteer at her church. She’s involved in Children’s Ministry and is a member of the youth worship team and has been on several other mission trips with her church since Africa, including one to Bridgeport, WA and Guadalajara, Mexico.

She has also traveled to four different countries on vacation.

“But I feel like I’m missing the heart of the country when I’m not there to give a part of myself,” Thompson said.

“I always believed that I was created to be in relationship with people, but I truly realized that in Africa.”

The South Sudan has remained Thompson’s favorite all these years, despite the many travels she has been on since.

“I haven’t been back, but I really want to,” Thompson said. “Someday.”