By B. Scott Mohr
Associate editor

Before Karissa Burtch attended the 2012 Youth in Ministry conference at Milligan College in the mountains of northeastern Tennessee, she had envisioned becoming a forensic scientist, getting married, raising her children and living in a nice home bounded by a white picket fence.
However, that version of a perfect life took on an odd twist when Burtch attended a lecture that detailed the work of missions. She was profoundly influenced by what she had heard and decided that life as a missionary would be better suited for her. 
“But that’s OK because chemistry wasn’t a good fit for me,” Burtch said. “I don’t have to make a lot of money. I’m much better at Spanish. I’ll use that talent to become a missionary in a Spanish-speaking country, but I don’t know where.”
A freshman at Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis and a graduate of Beech Grove High School, Burtch will be further introduced to the life-changing work of missions when serving as an intern this summer with Christian Missionary Fellowship International. 
From May 29 through Aug. 2, she and about 45 other college students from the Midwest will fan out across the world to mentor underprivileged children through evangelical activities, team ministries, health programs, vacation Bible school and English lessons. Burtch will team with another intern in Mexico City, while the other participants will be dispatched to such areas as Asia, Germany, Kenya, Tanzania and the Ivory Coast in West Africa. 
The trip will cost her about $4,000, of which she has raised about $1,500. She would like to put a big dent in that figure when holding a garage sale at Southport Heights Christian Church, 7154 McFarland Road, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, April 5. “I haven’t set a goal; I’m hoping that God will provide. 
“Members of the congregation and public can donate items for the sale, knowing that they will help me raise money for the ministry that I will be doing in Mexico City,” Burtch said. “This will give them a sense of purpose knowing that they are doing something to help a youth grow in Christ.” Monetary donations can be made by visiting www.cmfi.org/reach and clicking on “support your intern.” 
“My mom and dad want to help me, but I’m not going to accept their money unless I am desperate. I want to do it on my own.”
When Burtch approached her parents, Noel, a locksmith at IU Health, and Rhonda, a substitute teacher, about going to Mexico City, she said they weren’t as prepared to say yes as she thought they would be. “But I prayed, and it all worked out. They know how important it is for me.”
Although her full-time missionary work will not begin until graduating from IUPUI, she plans to take advantage of any opportunities that come her way between now and then.
“I would like to open a orphanage someday,” said Burtch, who got the idea after reading “Kisses from Katie,” by Katie Davis. The book detailed how Ugandan children don’t have any of the resources necessary for a good life. “They don’t have anything. And they aren’t raised in a safe environment.”
Burtch said Davis has adopted 14 little girls and teaches more than 100 children every day. In addition, she ensures that all of her students are properly fed, cleaned and clothed.
An avid photographer who likes to run, she has two older brothers, Ryan, 24, and Austin, 23, and a younger sister, Danielle, 17.
Burtch doesn’t see her missionary work interfering with her dream of raising a family and living in a home with a white picket fence ... that part of her life will just be delayed.

By Al Stilley
Southsider Voice correspondent

The pro basketball career of Katie Douglas will go full circle this season as the Indiana Fever veteran returns to the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun, which drafted her in the first round in 2001 (the franchise was known then as the Orlando Miracle). Douglas was an unrestricted free agent who had played six years with the Fever since being traded by Connecticut in 2008.
According to the Sun, Douglas signed a two-year contract with an option for a third year. Douglas had been in negotiations with the Sun, the Fever and other unidentified WNBA teams.
“I am definitely excited to be rejoining the Connecticut Sun,” Douglas said in a statement released by the Sun. “I had a great five years there playing in front of some of the best fans in the WNBA.”
As a Fever player in her hometown, Douglas helped bring home the 2012 WNBA championship to Indianapolis. She suffered an ankle injury then and dealt with a recurring back injury in 2013. She underwent back surgery in September.
Douglas, 35, leaves the Fever as the franchise’s No. 2 scorer. She was the first Fever player to surpass the milestones of 500 3-pointers and 500 steals.
“Katie called me this morning (Monday) to tell me her decision,” said Fever President/General Manager Kelly Krauskopf. “We had a great conversation, and we talked about both of us needing to do what was best for both parties.”
Fever coach Lin Dunn praised Douglas for her years as a Fever but quickly added that Indiana would be “moving forward and reloading with young, talented players.”
A 13-year star, Douglas ranks fifth all-time in threes (663), ninth in scoring (5,142 points) and 17th in assists (1,006). She is a four-time All-Star and a four-time All-WNBA selection.
Douglas led the Sun to two WNBA Finals and four Eastern Conference Finals.
A Southside icon, she was an Indiana All-Star from Perry Meridian High School and later helped lead Purdue to the 1999 NCAA national championship.
She said her most memorable return to Perry Meridian took place Nov. 9, 2012, after finally attaining the goal of being on a WNBA championship team. The day was proclaimed Katie Douglas Day by Mayor Greg Ballard. The Falcons were 78-17 during her four-year varsity career. Her Indiana All-Star jersey hangs in the hallway of Perry’s gym. 
Mike Armstrong, her high school coach, said, “She was a tireless worker. ...  She has been an inspiration to all the girls who have ever played basketball at Perry Meridian.”
As well as being a spokesperson for the WNBA, Douglas is also a prominent speaker on behalf of the battle against breast cancer. Her parents died of cancer.
Among her many honors, she treasures being the inaugural recipient of the Jimmy V Comeback of the Year Award in 2001 for her perseverance through personal tragedy.
Reflecting upon her career, Douglas said, “I’m very blessed by God to be able to do what I do.”
Training camp opens April 27; Douglas and the Sun play the Fever May 29 and July 10 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.