Trek Cities

Bangkok THAILAND Overview

Director Janet Balasiri

Janet Balasiri has been on staff with the undergraduate chapter at Indiana University for 3 years. Janet’s joys in ministry are hanging out with students in her home. She works out her gift of hospitality through cooking, baking, and hosting parties at her apartment. Much of her free time is spent communicating with old friends through phone conversations, hand-written letters, and email. A good time can always be had playing any form of Scrabble and a number of card games.

Her love for missions began early in her walk with Christ. Three months after accepting Jesus, she went to Matamoros, Mexico with her youth group through Adventures in Missions to minister to children through VBS and build a home for a needy family. Then, in her senior year of high school Janet went to Barcelona, Spain to minister with Youth for Christ. She then returned to Matamoros during Spring Break of her Junior year at IU, but this time leading a group of InterVarsity students to minister in Mexico. Right before coming on staff, Janet went with her home church to Costa Rica to partner with their sister church in evangelism and construction projects. In 2001, Janet staffed a Global Project to Rostov, Russia working with non-Christian college students from Rostov State. She looks forward to combining the two most important parts of her life, her love for the Lord and her cultural heritage, in her ministry to the poor in Bangkok this summer.

Hometown: Fairfax, VA

College: Rose-Hulman (Chemical Engineering) 1995 thentransferred…
Indiana University (Secondary Education ofSpanish and Japanese) 1999

Heroes: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

My most recent accomplishment: Directing Fall Conference for the State of Indiana with Brenda Salter-McNeil as the keynote speaker.

Passions: People! I love quality time with my friends, my students, and my co-workers. Nothing better than having people over, playing games, eating good food, and having deep conversations.

Nickname: InterPlanetJanet (from Schoolhouse Rock), J-Dog, JanaBanana, Janet Planet

Favorite Meal: Breakfast - Eggs Benedict (reminds me of my dad), Lunch - Panera Turkey Artichoke Panini, Dinner - Pud Thai (yummy noodle dish)

Most recent books read: Good to Great, Ender’s Game, Divided by Faith

Pet Peeves: People who don’t keep their word; having to drive a really long way to see my friends.

Bad Habits: Taking things too personally

Good Habits: Brushing my teeth (especially now that I havean electric tooth brush)

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