River Roots Redevelopment: Rest, Reconnect, and Renewal

By Rachel Brosnahan

You’ve likely gotten used to hearing Selina’s voice in these behind-the-scenes stories, but this week I’m stepping in to share a story of my own—a recent trip that left me full, grateful, and ready to keep going. I’ve just returned from a two-week journey, the first half of which I spent at a leadership intensive for the international translators of Love God Greatly (LGG)—another nonprofit I’m honored to work with. The second half included some time to reconnect with my family roots in Serbia and Hungary, but today I want to share what happened during that first week, and why it reminded me of the deeper reason behind so much of the work I do—both abroad and here in our own local communities.

Each year, LGG invites translators from around the world to come together for a week of encouragement, training, and rest. These women volunteer their time to translate Bible study materials into their native languages—often while juggling jobs, raising families, or living in places where being a Christian is difficult, even dangerous. This year, we had more than 20 women from Thailand, Uganda, Morocco, Ukraine, the UK, and more. Some arrived exhausted. Some came from areas in conflict. Some are carrying their faith quietly and courageously in places where it’s often met with resistance or isolation.

From the moment people started arriving—two or three at a time as their flights came in—the air was thick with joy. There were squeals of delight, long hugs, and easy laughter. Some women were reuniting after years of working together online; others were meeting for the very first time. It was a beautiful reminder that the need for connection is universal, and the gift of being in the same room as someone who “gets it” is more powerful than we often realize.

My “official” roles during the week were to teach a workshop on kids ministry and to capture moments for LGG’s social media—photos, video, and glimpses behind the scenes. But what felt most important to me was simply being present. Listening. Offering hugs. Praying with whoever needed it. I’m an introvert by nature, and big groups are overwhelming and exhausting, but I knew going into this week that I didn’t want to let that stop me. I made it a personal goal to speak to every woman there—and I’m so glad I did.

One of the highlights was watching the impact of what we called the “Encouragement Station.” It was set up by Melinda, a supporter of LGG and a dear friend of the founder. She brought journals, lip gloss, pens—just small gifts—but what she really offered was her full attention and a quiet place to sit, be heard, and be prayed over. Women visited her not just for a little treat, but for a moment of peace and the reminder that they mattered.

What really struck me was how much this kind of simple, intentional love affected all of us—not just the women being loved on, but those of us doing the listening too. It softened our own hearts. It reminded us to slow down. It drew us into a deeper sense of connection and humility. Sometimes the greatest gift we can give is our attention, and often, we find that we receive much more than we expect.

Working behind the scenes with LGG can sometimes feel very task-driven—layouts, edits, social media scheduling—but this week reminded me that every file I open and every post I draft represents a real woman. A real story. A real family. These translators aren’t just volunteers. They are bridges between cultures, carriers of hope, and, in many cases, quiet warriors who are doing incredibly hard things with very little support. And many of them carry a heavy weight of loneliness. Some of them came not knowing exactly what they were stepping into, but they showed up anyway. And I hope they left feeling rested, filled up, and no longer alone but with brand new friends in their corners. These women reminded me of why I care so deeply about the missions behind every nonprofit I serve—because at the heart of each one is people. Whether it’s global ministry, local redevelopment, or community storytelling, that’s the why behind them all.

Some of my favorite conversations that week happened around the table during meals. I made a point to change up where I sat so I could hear from different women each time. They told stories about their families, shared about the struggles they’re facing, and offered little glimpses into what life looks like where they’re from. It reminded me of the reason we started hosting Coffee Chats. We wanted to replicate that no-pressure, casual atmosphere where people could sit down, share what matters to them, and feel heard—all with an emotional support coffee (or tea, in my case) in hand. The everyday may look different, but the heart of these local conversations is just as important. Each person is carrying stories, dreams, frustrations, and hopes for their own communities, and they deserve a place to be heard and supported too. Across the world or across the street, the heart of it is the same: people want, no need, to know they matter.

If this week taught me anything, it’s that you don’t need to have the perfect plan or all the right words to make a difference. Just showing up—listening, encouraging, sitting in the quiet with someone—is often enough. It’s a simple truth, but one that keeps proving itself true in ministry, in redevelopment, and in everyday life.

We won’t always get it right. We’ll miss moments, make mistakes, and sometimes fall short. But if we keep showing up, keep listening, and keep reminding people that they are worth showing up for, then I believe we’re doing something that matters.

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Rachel Brosnahan is the Community Engagement Coordinator for River Roots Redevelopment. Want to help us rethink what redevelopment can look like—together? Follow the conversation and share your thoughts with us on Facebook and LinkedIn, or reach out directly to rachel@riverrootsredevelopment.org. We’d love to hear from you!