I came to Lee Abbey because I needed to improve my English and as I’m the only Christian person in my whole town, I was looking for a Christian environment to make my goal possible around people that understood my beliefs.
Lee Abbey changed my life completely, giving me the best welcome, everyone was very friendly, and offering me a place to stay in one of the best neighborhoods in London, a city where I could discover a lot of opportunities that made me be in love with this city.
My time in Lee Abbey helped me to find what I want to do next and new goals for the future. I grew up spiritually with the help of the people around me there. I met a lot of people from around the world and I learnt many things about different cultures and countries. In Lee Abbey I found a family that I will keep for all my life and an experience that I will never forget.
Debora, Spain
I am originally from Brazil, and moving to London was both an exciting and stretching step in my journey of faith and personal growth. During my time there, I saw God impacting the lives of students in powerful and tangible ways. I saw individuals grow in confidence, step into leadership, and become more open in sharing their faith. There were moments during prayer times, worship, and even in everyday conversations where God clearly moved bringing direction, and a renewed sense of purpose. I remember seeing people arrive unsure of their calling and leave with clarity and boldness to pursue what God had placed on their hearts, and I was one of them.
God deeply impacted my own life through this experience. Living in community challenged me, stretched me, and helped me grow in patience, humility, and love for others. My faith became more personal and active, rather than just routine. I learned to rely on God in the everyday, through serving, relationships, and even challenges.
Lee Abbey London was not just a place I stayed, it was a place that shaped me, strengthened my faith, and continues to influence how I live and serve today.
Mariane Sampaio Silva, Brazil
When I came across Lee Abbey, I thought it would be the place where I could learn how to share my faith with people from different backgrounds and beliefs. I thought it would be more direct outreach, something more intense, but instead I found something deeper.
I was reminded that sharing Jesus often happens through relationships. We were encouraged to meet people where they were, to listen to their stories, their thoughts about life, faith, studies, and everything in between.
Some of the most meaningful moments were actually very simple. I saw how just learning someone’s name or sitting with them could make a difference. There were students who hadn’t really engaged with others before, and they started opening up with me just because they felt seen when I called them by their names. Through that, I had small opportunities to share my faith, answer questions, and just be present. It felt like we were planting seeds, even if we couldn’t see the results right away.
My time at Lee Abbey had a big impact on my faith and my leadership. It challenged me but also supported me in ways I hadn’t experienced before. I had people who mentored me, listened to me, and walked alongside me. I also relearned the importance of building real rhythms with God. Spending time with Him became something intentional, not just something that might happen. Through worship, prayer, and reading Scripture, I grew in my faith and learned how to stay close to God, even in difficult moments. Shortly after I arrived, I lost a family member, and that was a really hard time. But the way the team supported me, gave me space, and cared for me showed me God’s love in a very real way. It was one of the reasons I decided to stay.
One moment that really stayed with me was when I came back to visit a year later. I got to reconnect with people, and one of the students shared how her year had gone and how she had come to faith. Seeing her joy and how her eyes were shining was something I’ll never forget. It reminded me that God is always at work, even when we don’t see it straight away.
To this day, my connection with Lee Abbey still shapes my life, and I’m really grateful for that. It’s been one of the most meaningful experiences I’ve had.
Lee Abbey is not just a place to stay. It’s a place where people can feel seen, where friendships are built, and where faith can grow in a real way, if people are open to it. I’m really thankful to have been part of it.
Isabeli Mariano, Brazil
I came to know about Lee Abbey’s ministry, and since the first time I visited their website to search for more information about them and how to be part of it, I remember that just by reading about what they do and how they serve as community, I decided that I would love to be part of it! The mission of “communicating Christ through relationships,” while experiencing it alongside people from all around the world and growing in faith through that, made me want to apply immediately.
What I didn’t know back then was that all the amazing things I read about their values and the way they support the lives of long-term students, tourists, and the community of volunteers would become, in reality, even more beautiful than the already so special information shared online. Throughout the year spent at Lee Abbey London, I was able to witness—and be deeply blessed by—a management team that is responsible and fully committed to our needs and individualities. From the application process until the end of my time as a volunteer, I experienced transparent, honest, and very well-managed guidance from the staff. I could feel this attentiveness even before arriving in London, when I was connected by email to a community member – a “buddy”- who was already part of the team and helped me during my early days at Lee Abbey by introducing me to people and places, something that happens to all new volunteers.
For me, this is just one of the many ways that shows how well we are cared for by the institution. As part of the community, all this attention and care are shared with us, making us aware of how to play a loving role in the routine of all the long-term students and guests staying with us. Checking on a student when it is noticed that they are not often present at meals, approaching them graciously when they seem tired or overwhelmed by studies and deadlines, or simply being ready to offer a word of strength and kindness is an everyday part of life at Lee Abbey. The care, love, attention, and intentionality in carrying out every task from the perspective that we first do it because we love Jesus and are deeply loved by Him make Lee Abbey a place built on this foundation—a place that, from my perspective and own experience, is truly like no other.
During the season I lived and served at Lee Abbey London, I was able to see the impact of love, respect, and care being lived out in people’s lives every day, during one of the most beautiful and meaningful years I have ever experienced. Weekly activities, parties, meals, biblical events, and so much more are organized to bring together people from different backgrounds, languages, and perspectives, all with one thing in common: they have found a home away from home. That is Lee Abbey London—an environment of belonging and diversity. During my time there, I could see God powerfully impacting the lives of so many people through everything I have mentioned—which still falls far short of what living there actually feels like—starting with my own.
Erika Mariane do Nascimento Medeiros, Brazil
My decision to volunteer at Lee Abbey was not simply driven by personal desire, it was deeply rooted in my faith and a calling I believe God placed on my heart. I stepped out in faith, trusting His direction, and Lee Abbey became a significant part of that journey.
During my time there, Lee Abbey became more than just a place, it became an instrument God used to shape my character, strengthen my perseverance, and deepen my sense of purpose. It allowed me to live out my missionary calling by serving people from different parts of the world, building meaningful connections, and sharing faith in a genuine and practical way.
Through Lee Abbey, I was also given opportunities beyond its walls. I was able to volunteer with Friends International in Canterbury for a week during my holiday, and I also took part in the Billy Graham “God Loves You” Tour. These experiences expanded my heart for service and reminded me how powerful community and faith can be when people come together.
What touched me most were the simple yet profound moments, seeing students join us in worship nights, attend chapel, come to church, and openly ask for prayer. Those moments were the greatest reward for me. They reminded me why I answered the call in the first place.
Lee Abbey has been a life-changing part of my journey, and it holds a very special place in my heart.
Veronica Espinas, Philippines
I applied to Lee Abbey London because I felt God placing it on my heart to come to England and serve its people.
During my time there, I saw God opening people’s hearts, with many being reached by His love. Students became happier and formed meaningful friendships. Many told me how much they appreciated being in such a welcoming environment and how cared for they felt by the community members, they no longer felt alone. Through being part of a Christian community, they also experienced God’s love in a deeper way, having the opportunity to explore faith, attend church, and ask questions. I witnessed some of them coming to faith in a very personal and special way.
My own life was deeply impacted by living in community, growing in faith together, serving one another, and learning about different cultures. God shaped my heart during that time; I came away more mature, stronger, and with many new friends with whom I shared incredible moments.
I deeply miss Lee Abbey and all the amazing people who are still there, but I left with a light heart, knowing that their mission continues and that this place is still blessing many people from all around the world, helping them encounter Jesus, discover purpose in life, and find a community to call their own.
Ariane Silva de Souza, Brazil
It was my first time abroad, and this experience completely changed my life. During my time at Lee Abbey, I connected with people from different backgrounds and built meaningful relationships. The community became like a family to me. I never thought that people from different countries could become your family, but through Christ we were connected. Lee Abbey became a place that truly felt like a home away from home.
Coming from a Muslim background, becoming a Christian was not easy. In my country, it was difficult to share the gospel and openly express my faith. However, when I came to the UK and joined Lee Abbey, I felt much more comfortable and was able to talk freely about my faith with others. At first, I thought I was the only one who struggled because of my Muslim background, especially since my family was not supportive. But I realized that even people who grew up as Christians have their own challenges.
At Lee Abbey, I built strong friendships with students and the community. I connected with them, shared my testimony, and encouraged others. Even now, despite the distance, we are still friends and remain connected. Throughout my time there, I always felt at home and made lifelong friends. When I first arrived, my English was very basic, and I couldn’t understand much. However, while working there, my English improved significantly. Now I can speak confidently and communicate with anyone. Lee Abbey has had a huge impact on my life. It gave me amazing experiences and truly became a home for me.
After finishing my volunteering, I returned to my country and applied to university. I was accepted to London Metropolitan University, and Lee Abbey supported me by giving me a full residential scholarship, allowing me to stay there while I was studying. The trust and relationships I built with students, staff, and the community gave me a deep sense of belonging. Being abroad alone can make you feel homesick, lonely, or even depressed, but at Lee I was always surrounded by kind and trustworthy people. I always felt supported, encouraged, and safe. My mom and my nephew also came to visit me while I was at Lee Abbey. They had an amazing time. She met the community and felt very happy being in a Christian environment and seeing how people serve there. My family felt reassured and at peace, knowing that I was in a safe place. It gave them confidence and trust that I was being well cared for.
I always recommend Lee Abbey to others. It is a place where you can learn, grow, and, with God’s guidance, flourish.
Kasya Kassymova, Kazakhstan
I decided to apply to Lee Abbey London because I was deeply impacted by a member of my church back home who also volunteered at Lee Abbey in the 2000s. When I did my research, I was impressed by the vision, values, and community work.
When I arrived, I was amazed by the work the community does to reach out to students. During my time there, we organized many events and Bible studies to help students connect and get to know God. I made many student friends, and I was also able to share the gospel with them during time spent in the chapel—talking, listening, and inviting them to church when they felt comfortable.
I believe Lee Abbey has a great impact on the lives of students who come from far away and find themselves alone in a new place. For example, I had a friend I met at Lee Abbey who was not very open to talking about religion at the beginning of our friendship. Over time, she began attending more events and Bible studies with the community, and by the end of my time there, she became more interested and accepted invitations to go to church with me and other community members.
During my time at Lee Abbey, I grew closer to God. Living in community with people from different backgrounds and cultures was an incredible experience, and I can truly say it was the best year of my life. Lee Abbey helped me become more confident in public speaking, in standing up for myself, and in being a better, more caring friend.
I made amazing friendships and visited incredible places, and all of this was possible because of Lee Abbey and the way it is run. The managers are attentive and truly care about the community. Lee Abbey London has made me a better person and given me friendships and memories that will last a lifetime.
Beatriz Lemos Nicolau, Brazil
I decided to apply to Lee Abbey London to give back through volunteering and to be part of its Christian community. Also, to help support students and the community through the duty of care and service, and to physically impact society. I also wanted to grow as an individual, both personally and spiritually, in an environment that embraces everyone, hence applying to volunteer at Lee Abbey.
During my time at Lee Abbey, I have seen a great impact of God’s hands through our service to many students and families who stayed with us. I was part of the worship team, and we moved from having one or two students join us to having 15 or more during worship nights. I have seen God impact students’ lives through testimonies of joy after seasons of depression, of change in self-harming lifestyles, and of a peace beyond human understanding to some of the students. I have seen a room full of students and guests from different places pray together during meals, an experience and impact that I have only seen at Lee Abbey London.
Through my experience with Lee Abbey London, I was able not only to draw closer to God but also to learn to love and accept myself more. I learned that life satisfaction also comes from serving others and being impactful individuals in communities. I also grew in ministry through worship and praise on the team, and I nurtured my God-given talent for singing. I was truly blessed and impacted positively during my time at Lee Abbey London.
Cate Blick Nantaba, Uganda
Before coming to Lee Abbey, I had a big dream of going abroad. I wanted to see the world and discover what lay beyond the horizon. At first, all the doors seemed closed. When I was at my lowest point and losing hope, I found Lee Abbey and the charity work visa opportunity. When I discovered Lee Abbey, I was overjoyed. I truly believe that God used Lee Abbey to open the door for me to realise my dream.
You do not know how much that one year at Lee Abbey changed my life. It was a year full of wonderful memories—memories I will never forget. At Lee Abbey, I made lifelong friends and encountered God for myself. I also saw my fellow community members go through similar transformations to mine. Lee Abbey is doing an amazing job in fulfilling what God is calling this organisation to do. I witnessed many non-believing students come to accept Jesus as their Lord after staying at Lee Abbey.
One example that remains strong in my memory is a resident from Vietnam. Before coming to Lee Abbey, she was not a Christian. However, during her year there, she explored faith through Alpha, which was hosted at Lee Abbey. Through conversations with community members and by joining chapel times, she grew in faith. I truly believe that God chose her and placed her at Lee Abbey for that purpose.
I will be forever thankful for the amazing time I had at Lee Abbey. I could never have made my dream come true without it. I also believe that Lee Abbey has helped thousands of others achieve their dreams. I hope that Lee Abbey continues its mission as a place where young people can explore faith and where people from around the world can come to serve God.
I believe that not only has my life been changed through volunteering at Lee Abbey London, but it has also transformed the lives of thousands of former community members and students.
Thao Da Nguyen, Vietnam
My name is Najoua Elkabiri, and I was part of Lee Abbey London from 30-11-2024. I came from Morocco and applied because I wanted to grow in my faith and be part of a supportive, life changing community. During my time there, i learned so much about who I am and saw so much growth not only in me but the lives of everyone around me. People were encouraged, challenged, and cared for, and the environment allowed students from overseas to thrive spiritually, socially, and personally.
Lee Abbey is a place where I grew in my life skills as well not only spiritually, with the help of each one of my manager and volunteers, by bringing the best out of me and what I could do.
For me, Lee Abbey London was more than a place to learn it was a place where my life and faith were transformed. I gained perspective, purpose, and a deeper understanding of how to serve others. I truly believe that this community is a unique and positive influence that deserves to continue welcoming international members.
Najoua Elkabiri, Morocco
My name is Tiemi Matuda, I was at Lee Abbey from January 2023 to January 2024. I am from São Paulo, Brazil.
After the pandemic, I felt that my life was going on autopilot, and that my relationship with God was very lukewarm. I was looking for something new in life, something that would challenge me. I was also looking for something meaningful to do because I felt that at my work at the time, I was just working for myself.
At Lee Abbey I had this one student friend from India who was not a Christian and had never gone to church before. As we became better friends, I was able to invite him to go to church with my friends and me one day. He accepted and was very open to experiencing it. Amazingly, the preacher was a missionary from India. In his sermon, he was talking about the reality in his country and how he, as a Christian, wanted to be the image of God in that midst. My friend told me that he was very touched by the sermon because he had seen with his own eyes the reality that the preacher was talking about. After that, he became very curious about God, the Bible, and the Church, and would often ask me questions about it. I was able to tell him some stories in the Bible and to share about God’s love for us. I did not see him accept God as his savior, but I do believe that God has been working in his life. So I believe that for the students, having a relationship with community members is an amazing experience for both parts actually.
Through Lee Abbey, God has put some amazing people in my life. These are friendships that I carry through this day and that are filled with Christ. The friends that I made through Lee Abbey have inspired my faith and made me want to seek Him more.
Tiemi Matuda, Brazil
I decided to apply to Lee Abbey because I saw it as a great opportunity to grow in maturity and in my faith. I was also excited about meeting people from all over the world, which gave me a joyful opportunity to learn more about what God has been doing through Christians in different cultures.
Lee Abbey is not a normal accommodation for students. There, students are truly cared for—the staff make an effort to build meaningful relationships with them, which makes a real difference. We have daily devotions, and every student is welcome to join. In addition, we organize events to strengthen our relationships with them. The volunteers are encouraged and equipped to do this well.
During my time at Lee Abbey, I developed my communication skills, as we needed to work closely together as a team. I also had the opportunity to lead devotions, which was a great blessing and helped me grow in my faith.
It was a very important year for my personal and spiritual growth.
Bernardo Bezerra da Silva, Brazil
Lee Abbey London played a big role in my faith journey. I’ve never hidden the fact that I was feeling my faith not so strong, and I never had a “sign”, something that made me think I was called by Jesus therefore I was not quite sure whether Jesus was actually part of my everyday life.
Given that I walked inside Lee Abbey with my heart open because I had the feeling that I would have found Jesus there. And that’s just what happened. The “sign” that I was waiting for was inside every word of worship, every person I came across inside the community and inside the churches I attended, was in every shared moment with community members and the staff. Honestly, it’s like that place has something magic
I have learnt so many things during my year at Lee Abbey, from the most useful and practical such as improving my English to the ones that come from the spirit.
I’d like to mention how my will to serve changed after this experience. I’ve always loved spending time surrounded by people and I’m always more than happy to help but being part of this community taught me what serving in the name of God actually means.
I never changed the way I was doing things, but my view on that changed. Seeing the reaction of the people I was helping, or understanding when people were helping me and looking at the smiles on their faces just moved me on doing more and more for the next person.
Now my priority is being available for every community I’m part of, I have a big role in my church both with kids and with people my age, because now I understand what that brings me and what brings to others. I did nothing on my own, it was the power of community and the power of God inside that.
Being part of an internation community has nothing to compare with a different community. We are talking about spending 20 hours every day with 10-20 people for all over the world, it’s literally crazy to just think that that’s possible.
Both for community members and students being faced with so many different cultures opens the minds in a way that I cannot describe, personally it helped me being more respectful towards the people around me because I now understand that what is normal for me may not be the same for you (and that’s fundamental for human being to coexist).
Even if that is less “profound” as a concept, one of the biggest gifts that Lee Abbey has left me is the amount of friends that I have around the world. Every time I’m amazed and blessed to think that I can keep in touch with someone in Brazil and to know how much they care about me and vice versa.
Camila Carbonari