Meet Ellie Nichols

Mackenzie serving in Ethiopia

My name is Ellie Nichols and in June of 2018, I went on a month-long mission trip with Mackenzie Anderson to Ethiopia. We first met at training camp. The second that I met her, I knew that she would change my life. Over the month that we were serving in Ethiopia together, I saw her touch not only my life, but the lives of everyone on our team, and all the people of Ethiopia.

There was a certain light to Kenzie, something that you couldn’t find anywhere else. Kenzie changed my life. She made my passion for missions and my faith grow immensely. She was a firm believer in living as the hands and feet of God, and my hope is to be able to do that for her. Mackenzie and I had planned to go on a mission trip to Haiti this summer. When we lost Mackenzie, I had thought that I would never be able to go on another trip. I couldn’t imagine doing any of it without her. So, I cancelled the trip and I began to feel like I had lost my passion for missions. After weeks of my parents trying to convince me to go, I was not budging, I retreated into my thoughts and was stuck on the fact that I wouldn’t be able to go. But finally, while talking to one of my friends, it all clicked.

So, in one text message to mom, the trip was back on and I decided I was still going to go to Haiti. No matter how hard it will be without her, Kenzie will be with me the whole way. I am doing this for her, and I cannot wait to carry out her legacy. This summer I will be going to Haiti and I couldn’t be more excited.

Ellie Nichols is a recipient of a 2019 Summer Scholarship from Stick Up For Love. She will be sharing information from her trip and also acting as a facilitator to capture the stories of the other 2019 scholarship recipients.