SMP 2008 Bios

Kayla Wilkinson--Guatemala 

“The typical college-student summer includes taking a break from studies, making money, and hitting the beach. For some (divine!) reason, that kind of summer did not appeal to me this year. This being my last summer with no “real” job, I know my time is now to do something truly significant with my summer. For me, this mission program is the convergence of two of my passions: the people of Central America and the fight for the hearts of today’s youth. ”

“This summer I hope to find God in unexpected places. I hope to increase my dependence on God by relying on him to sustain me spiritually, emotionally, linguistically, and financially. For the people of Guatemala City and the church-members at Nueva Jerusalen I hope to simply be a blessing in their lives, awalking reminder of God’s undying love for them.”

Elise Ditta-Guatemala

“I am passionate about working towards justice in a Christian framework of redemption and restoration, and I know that the only way I can begin to do this is by learning from God’s people who are already at work. Going to Guatemala through SMP will allow me to interact with people who are clearly disenfranchised and learn about how they are moving towards a just society in
partnership with the CRWM team.”

“Through the Summer Mission Program I hope to first learn about missions, Guatemalan culture and my vocational calling in relation to these two issues. My secondary goal is to be able to serve in a way that promotes the empowerment of the Guatemalan people with whom I come in contact. I only call this a secondary goal because I know that in the short time that I am in Guatemala I will do very little compared to the amount I learn from those around me. ”

Megan Claunch--Nigeria

“One goal that I have for this trip is to better recognize if God is calling me to full-time missions. I also aim to expand my world view and gain cultural discernment as I minister to and am ministered by my teammates and the children of Nigeria.” 

“On this trip, I aspire to serve Jesus Christ by partnering with a team of Nigerian young adults. As a team we will be traveling to two orphanages in order to help support children’s and youth ministry. Together we desire to serve God by being ambassadors for Jesus Christ to the children of Nigeria. Personally, I hope to glean from my teammates’ global perspectives. I also desire to further grow in my ability to be joyful under any circumstance that may arise during the trip.”

Paul Chenowith--Mali

“God has called me to do long-term medical missions in Africa over the past six years (during high school and college). He has also taught me that we as Christians can be missionaries wherever we are in the world—even in our own homes! God has led me to this opportunity in Mali, and I am following His guidance to serve the Fulani people this summer and to understand long-term missionary life in Africa.”

“First and foremost, I hope to share the marvelous hope that I have in Christ with the Fulani people this summer. God has called me to Africa to share the message of Christ as our Saviour with those who do not know Him. He has burdened me with the need and hurt of many in Africa, and I hope to gain an understanding for that need and hurt. Along those lines, I also hope to bring back a realistic understanding for long-term missionary work in Africa. I also pray that the Lord will direct my path as to whether I should serve those in Africa or those back home.”
 

Stephanie Rottman--Asia

“I feel called by God to this mission trip. I feel that I should use the gifts he has given me to relate to people and draw them closer to him with my story. I hope to learn about and appreciate another culture and the way God is working in other parts of the world. God has given me in the past opportunities to grow spiritually and I believe that this is another opportunity for me to grow even closer to Him. ”

“I am a college student studying to be a social worker. I believe that this vocation will give me opportunities to interact with others and make a difference in their lives through God’s will. God has given me an amazing story that will help people see that God does work through mysterious ways and that he will never let us stray too far. I am looking forward to opportunities to learn from and contribute to those I will meet. ”