First of all, I just want to tell you all how EXCITED I am to see that you are already connecting and getting to know one another!! My name is Kristen, and I will be one of your leaders on this trip to Scotland! For the past 4 days, I have been in Gainesville, GA in leadership training where I saw all of your pictures and learned more about our time together this summer. Let me just tell you now, we are going to have a BLAST! I have spent the last hour going back in “blog history” and learning more about each of you through your posts. From the little information I know about you, I can already tell that this group is going to make an INCREDIBLE difference for Christ in Scotland, and will grow to become lifetime friends and brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus. So for those of you how are curious, I will tell you a little about me and how I got to this point.
Hey Scotland Team!
I am 23 years old, and graduated from Clemson University in SC last summer. While at school, I attended NewSpring Church and volunteered with the children and youth ministries. In July 09′, I was a leader for the Youth trip down to Daytona Beach, FL for ‘BigStuf Camps’. It was at this camp that God spoke to my heart, and called me into ministry. He impressed upon my heart a deep love for your generation, as well as overseas missions. In August 09′, I moved home to Charlotte, NC (where I currently live) and attend Elevation Church. I lead a HS girls small group and a Women’s group during the week and volunteer with the kids on Sundays.
I LOVE chocolate, and pretty much anything sweet! I’m half Italian, so I love food ALOT (as most Italians do) =) and 1/4 Irish or something… I love music, it is a very important part of my life. My brother is in a band called “Steel Train”, that tours the country and is about to go on tour with “The Fray” and “Ben Folds”, so thats pretty awesome (I’m very proud of him)! I love Christian music (Hillsong, Chris Tomlin, David Crowder etc), alternative/independent rock, and pretty much anything that is good. Favorite band of all time: Radiohead (maybe a little behind your generation?) I love to read and to write (as you can probably tell by the length of this blog post! lol). And most importantly, I LOVE Jesus Christ. You will learn more about me as time passes I’m sure! We have 2 months to REALLY get to know each other before camp! =)
Ok, so one last thing-How I got here: I actually was recruited by Connie less than a week ago! I was feeling like God wanted me to go somewhere this summer to spread the Gospel, but was unsure of His will. Connie asked me to lead Scotland last Monday, but at first I was hesitant because well…its Scotland! As some of you mentioned, its not really the first place you think of when you think of “missions work”. Honestly, I always thought that I would go to Scotland someday… like, when I’m 60 and want to go sight seeing! lol God QUICKLY reminded me that He is needed all over the world and to stop planning my own life! 😉 I sought the Lord for 6 straight days and prayed over each of you this past weekend. On Saturday, the Lord confirmed in my heart that you and I are destined to be together this summer! AND I AM SOOOOO PUMPED UP!!! Seriously… we are going to have the best 3 weeks together ever!
So, you will all be hearing from me this week, whether via Facebook, email or phone. I love you all already and can’t wait until June 30! 🙂
my email: [email protected]
Favorite Bible Verse: Matthew 5:14-16
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on a stand and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your father in heaven.”
