Hi everyone, my name is Michaela Ret. I am blessed to be able to call beautiful southern Ontario my home, where I live with my parents and two younger brothers out in the county. For the last couple years, I’ve worked full-time as a manufacturing inventory analyst and part time as a chocolatier and farm hand. When I’m not at work, I can usually be found adventuring outside hiking, camping, helping out with our hobby farm, and either snowboarding or hiding from the cold in the winter.

October 6-18th, Michaela will be joining EastARM in Tanzania to serve our projects along the Rufiji River as part of an exposure trip. LORD-willing, she will return in 2023 as a full time labourer with the mission.

I first met Graydon and Sarah Baker (EastARM) in the spring of 2021. I was introduced to them by a friend who helped me realize missions work and sharing the gospel isn’t just a “calling” for some Christians; it’s a command for all of us. Later that summer, my faith was challenged in many ways as I wrestled with how I wanted to live out my Christian convictions to their fullest potential. After many, many hours of prayer, sermons, and time in my Bible, I knew that God was leading me to overseas mission work. My heart had transformed from loving my comfortable, well-provided-for life, to realizing that it was those very things that were going to be a hindrance in my Christian walk, and I wanted to give it all up for Jesus. 

So often those in church culture are wait for a “calling” to missions. But if we look at the examples set forth in Acts, no one tried to read signs and circumstances to see if God wanted them to share the gospel with the unreached; it was simply a command that they followed. When God presented me with the opportunity to serve in Tanzania through EastARM with Graydon and Sarah, after I had begged Him to use my life for His glory, I knew I had to go. 

As we excitedly wait for our trip in October, my hope is that God uses it to prepare us with what we need to serve in Africa in a more permanent manner. Long term, I hope to shine the light of Christ to the furthest corners of the Rufiji. I want to be the hands and feet of Jesus by caring for the physical needs of the poor. I want to demonstrate the unconditional love of Christ to all those I come in contact with, but of paramount importance I want to share the most amazing news anyone can ever hear: the gospel.