Healing Hands International is blessed and proud to introduce: Katelyn Fokos!
From a middle school Walk4Water event to Women of Hope Coordinator, Katelyn’s position at Women of Hope has been a long time in the making. Her life’s experience is braided with strands of the Lord’s wisdom and guidance, and we are certain that as you read more and take a walk through this joyful woman’s footsteps, you will be reinvested in the Women of Hope program and uplifted in your daily walk with God.
Katelyn’s first HHI experience was during middle school when her church’s youth group held a Walk4Water event. And now, she is an amazing Coordinator for HHI’s Women of Hope program. Katelyn lives in Smyrna, Tennessee, with her husband, Pavlos, and their puppy, Gaia. As we are reminded of the blessings of lifelong connections orchestrated by God, we asked Katelyn a few questions about the path that led her to join our staff.
How did you get involved with HHI?
The first time I heard of HHI was in middle school when my youth group was participating in a Walk4Water [event]. However, it wasn’t until I was searching through a list of non-profits I trusted, that I came across HHI again. I instantly felt the Lord’s direction and desire to be a part of an organization that prioritizes the Gospel in all they do whilst still meeting the physical needs of the communities – I fell in love with how HHI focuses on establishing long-term care that will impact generations and break the cycle of poverty.
What is your professional and educational background?
I have served on short-term missions teams to Central America, and previously worked in holistic care for refugees and displaced children. In college, I studied international relations with a concentration on the Middle East/North Africa region.
Tell us about your first big trip with HHI (our inaugural International Ubuntu Conference).
Something so profound and impactful about my first big trip with HHI was how truly amazing the women I work with are. I [was] so encouraged and motivated to get back to the States and share their stories with others. These women have overcome various trials and they attribute all things to God. Their eagerness to learn and share Christ was inspiring to me. They each embody what it means to be a woman of God, I learned much about what a humble spirit and heart of thanksgiving looks like.
A particular moment that is special to me was when we would all sit around at lunch and share encouragement and stories, it truly brought their work to life and reminded me that we are all working for one purpose. That is, to bring Glory to God.
What are your hopes for your role, or something you want people to know about WOH?
My biggest hope in my role is to provide an environment in which our coordinators and the women they work with can thrive. I want to prioritize providing relevant and necessary resources that get down to the depth of the needs of the women in these communities. I would also like to adapt new curricula in hopes of providing tools to meet various barriers that women face in the communities we work with.
Something about Women of Hope that I would like people to know is the way that women in these communities build one another up. They are not fixated on performance or appearance, but rather they are adamant about meeting the needs of others. It is true, “whenever women are empowered to dream, communities thrive!” I have the joy and pleasure of having a front-row seat to God’s work in these communities.
Would you share a personal motto or Bible verse that themes your life and career?
“So, whether you eat or drink,
or whatever you do,
do everything for the glory of God.”
1 Corinthians 10:31
This verse has really motivated me and determined my purpose in life–that all things, no matter how mundane, be done for the glory of God. This has given me the strength to enter into the unknown with confidence in the Lord, and with the intent to bring glory to Him. Whether it is as simple as filing reports from our coordinators or getting on a long international flight to visit our partners overseas, this verse has driven me forward.
A particular prayer that has been relative to my life is one by Betty Scott Stam, a martyr and missionary to China:
“Lord, I give up all my own plans and purposes,
all my own desires and hopes, and accept your will for my life.
I give myself, my life, my all utterly to you to be yours forever.
Fill me and seal with your Holy Spirit.
Use me as you will, send me where you will,
and work out your whole will in my life at any cost,
now and forever.”
No matter where I am or what I am doing, I want to be serving Jesus and the ones he so deeply adores: His children.