Liz Hayden
Liz grew up in the home counties where she went to church each week. However, it wasn't until her first year at Glasgow School of Art that she realised knowing Jesus is what makes all the difference. A handful of CU students who met steadily each week showed her, by their gentleness and sincerity, what life in relationship with God looks like. At some point during a series of Bible studies in Ecclesiastes God reached down into the heart and mind of a melancholy art student and Liz became a Christian.
Liz grew a lot in her faith whilst she was studying for her degree in Painting and Printmaking. She got stuck in with the CU and together they spent hours decorating cupcakes with the face of Jesus - they turned out a hit at the Art School's Freshers Fayre! Whilst she was a student Liz also made her first visit to China. It was the beginning of her passion for the country, its food, culture and super-cute stationery.
After graduating, Liz moved back down South where she spent a year as a Relay Worker with London Christian Unions. It was an 'out of the comfort zone' experience which prepared her well for the cross-cultural experience she'd have over the next two years. In 2009 she moved to Beijing and started out on the long, hard road of learning Mandarin Chinese. She made it through a year of study and found many patient, generous and hospitable Chinese friends along the way. During her second year in Beijing Liz taught English, returning home in 2011 to begin working as a Staff Worker with CUs South West London.
Liz loves baking, museums, living in the capital city and making new friends from different places.
