Brianna Esswein 1980 - 2005

Brianna, from Cypress, California, grew up in a Christian home and gave her life to the Lord in February of 1996. A few months later she took first mission trip to Mexico. It was a life-changing experience of reaching out to people in need who didn't know anything about Jesus. Soon after, Bri committed her life to go wherever the Lord called her to go.

In 2003 following graduating as a registered nurse Bri applied to do medical missions writing, "God is a part of every second of my day. My life would never be the same without Him in it. My life is not my own and this is not my life, it is His. I have been placed in each situation for such a time as this, to do His will and to walk in His ways."

Brianna's passion to serve on the mission field grew as she participated in brought her medical missions internship, completed her Discipleship Training School and received her Masters in Missions and Intercultural Studies at Wheaton College.

"My desire to be involved in medical missions was fueled by the example of Jesus given in the Gospels of bringing healing to the people along with God's love and truth". In less than 10 years, she was privileged to use her skills to God's glory among the nations of Mexico, Nicaragua, Romania, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Peru, El Salvador, Sierra Leone, Togo, Benin, Ghana, Australia and Nigeria. She accomplished her goal to serve in ministry as a midwife after training at the Birth Attendant School in Perth in 2005. She brought compassion and hope to women and babies in Nigeria. "My greatest desire is not to bring medicine, but the love of God to women and babies, that they might know Jesus, our Savior."

To those who knew and loved her, Bri was a vibrant, generous, all-embracing friend who lived her love for Jesus with her whole heart. She bubbled over with joy and delight to serve the Lord and lifted her voice to worship Him in songs of praise. She had a brilliant mind, a humble spirit, and an irrepressible passion to inspire others to serve the Lord in missions. "I am willing to live and die for my Lord and will follow Him to the ends of the earth, knowing that it may cost me everything, but there is no greater joy that serving my God and only through Him can my life and joy be made complete." Brianna's passion to serve the Lord in the mission field cost her everything, and she poured out her life as a fragrant offering that will be remembered long after her time on earth.

"The days seem to be so uncertain, never knowing what we will take part in as we walk into the labor ward. I never know whether my day will hold joy or sorrow, but I long for my heart to be open to whatever will come, knowing that we will not be given more than we can handle. "Brianna Esswein 17th October, 2005.