Vanessa joined the YFC Canada team in 2012 while travelling to El Salvador on short term mission trips. She chose to leave her career in the Canadian military in 2016 and dedicate her time to missionary work in Latin America. Vanessa spent 5 years in El Salvador as the Pioneer Coordinator for YFC El Salvador, until 2021 when God led her to leave that role. She spent 8 months studying at a Bible school in Costa Rica in 2022 to gain better knowledge and training of God’s Word and ministry, and in early 2023 she began her new placement serving in the ministry of YFC Bolivia (in South America).

Vanessa is currently Mission Staff in YFC Bolivia, serving in the youth centre “Barnabas” in La Paz, Bolivia. She works with children, youth, and young adults in a variety of programs, such as teaching English in the Academy, the TEENs youth group, a program called “School of Life” in local high schools, and day-to-day operations of the drop-in youth centre. She also is part of the worship team and drama team.