What brought you to Lakeside and the Flathead Valley?
RACHEL BURNS: I had a good-paying job in the commercial construction field, and my family and friends in Washington. But I was at a crossroads. Somehow, I thought there was more to life than what I was doing – and something more I wanted to do.
I had always been around firefighters and EMTs (Emergency Medical Technicians) in my family and I knew I wanted to be involved in that.
And I first came out here for a five-month YWAM (Youth With A Mission) international, interdenominational ministry school.
After I finished the school, I got an offer to come back and be on full-time volunteer staff with YWAM Mission Builders International, working in volunteer development, connecting volunteers with ministries worldwide everyday. So I took a chance and left everything behind: my friends, my family, my job – pretty much everything about two years ago to be here in Lakeside.
And now that you’re here, what have you been up to?
RACHEL BURNS: I work at YWAM Mission Builders International, working worldwide everyday, connecting volunteers with ministry opportunities just about anywhere around the globe. I’ve also had the opportunity to travel the world: Spain, Argentina, Morocco, Mexico, the Dominican Republic and all over the U.S. Now I get to work with people all over the world every day – on the phone, Skype, whatever it takes.
I’m also very active as a volunteer firefighter with the Somers Volunteer Fire Department and as an EMT, with Lakeside QRU (Quick Response Unit).
Community is important to me: local – but also international – community. And volunteering is a big part of that.
So, you’ve been traveled all over, why live here? Why stay in Lakeside/Somers?
RACHEL BURNS: Well, I gave up a lot to be here: friends, family, my comfort zone, all of that. But I’ve made my family here. And generally, people are a lot more open-minded, open-hearted here. It’s a great place for ideas “and visions” to grow.
And that’s what I like to do: encourage people every day. Lakeside seems to welcome divergent views and community-minded ideas, which leaves an open door for ideas of community events and visions for the Lakeside/Somers community.
And I find value in building and leading by example, helping people encouraging each other, whether personally or in business. All I can say is don’t waste your life – do what you want to do.
It sounds like that’s exactly what you’re doing, no?
RACHEL BURNS: Yeah, growing up, I had good influences encouraging me every day – not tearing me down about the way to go about life.
I mean, you never know how a simple smile can change someone’s day. I’m here to lead by example, the best I can.
So no regrets?
RACHEL BURNS: I left a good-paying job to be here, to serve others. And it just takes one person with a positive attitude to make things happen, to be more positive, to think outside the box – to achieve unity in that. So, why be negative? Being negative leads to nowhere. I’m here doing what I love.