Hi, I’m Lindsay. I will always be a South Carolina Girl; no matter where I may go or eventually end up. I am the firstborn child of my parents, from whom I undoubtedly inherited many of my personality traits. I can definitely thank my Dad for my competitiveness, free spirit, habit of procrastination, strong-will, forgiving nature, sarcasm, and unfailing ability to lose anything not glued to my body. I have my Mom to thank for my kind spirit, love of Starbucks, selective hearing, servant’s heart, habit of perfectionism, caring nature, ability to empathize, and embarrassingly horrible sense of direction. I have two younger brothers, Michael (18) and Daniel (16). They both have every quality I could ever hope to find in a brother; they’re smart, supportive, over-protective, handsome, athletic, uneasily swayed, inspiring, annoying, funny, and good friends of mine. Growing up, they taught me how to share, fight, protect, avoid drama, win at horse, lock my door, throw a mean spiral (the boy way), and how to be a good sister and mentor.
So about me... I love the outdoors.. especially anything that has to do with water. I am on the waterski team at Clemson University, and have found that there is no better way to see and hear God than by surrounding myself in His creation. I love traveling, experiencing other cultures, and meeting new people. I had the opportunity to Study Abroad in Australia in the summer of 2009. In Australia, I got to witness first-hand the beauty and diversity in the world’s oldest rainforest...the Daintree, and submerge myself, quite literally, in the world's largest organic structure... the Great Barrier Reef. The vast beauty of those places still haunts me, and only further confirms my belief that there is a God who created it all. In the summer of 2010 I had the opportunity to intern at SeaWorld, Orlando. I shared laughs with the Sea Lions, marveled over the power and beauty of the incredible Orcas, took morning walks with the Flamingos, and felt humbled by the incredible intelligence and self-awareness that was so evident in the Dolphins. I found a passion for diversity, and learning to embrace it. Differences should be celebrated, and should be used together to greater the force they come form.
Currently, I am halfway through my Junior year at Clemson University. I realize that this is usually the part where everyone knows exactly what they’re going to do in life. I have to admit though, that even now, I am undecided about life.... but not because I’m indecisive . I made my decision about what I want to for the rest of my life on earth- and that is to follow Christ and glorify the name of Jesus with everything I am.
To be perfectly honest, this trip makes absolutely no logical sense for me to go on this summer. I am nearly a semester behind in my classes. I have medical school admissions tests on the near horizon. I live in an apartment with a lease that runs through August. I am unbelievably and pathetically broke. Anyone with half a brain (including myself) would say that what I NEED is to stay in Clemson this summer, take classes, catch up, get a job, and study for the MCAT. Any of my piers would say that I need to do something fun with my friends to celebrate my 21st birthday in July, and dress up in Gryffindor attire for the final movie in the highly anticipated Harry Potter series. These things are what I thought I needed to do this summer. This plan makes sense. Africa doesn't make sense.
However, I trust that the Lord's plan is the one that actually makes sense... especially when it makes no sense at all to the rest of the world. The Lord has called me to spend this summer in Africa. God has really been revealing Himself to me, teaching me, using me, and preparing my heart for His plan for my life… part of which is a call toward missions. The Lord has recently laid three specific countries on my heart:
1) Kenya. In Matthew 18:5, Jesus says "And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me". The Lord called me to sponsor Isaac, who lives in Kenya, through Compassion International. For $38 a month, the Lord is using me to change the life of Isaac and his family, and show him that he is loved and cared about and treasured by someone halfway across the world.
2) Uganda. At the Passion 2011 Conference in Atlanta, GA this year, there were unlimited opportunities for college students to sacrifice their money for a specific purpose, cause, or mission worldwide. I prayed every day for what the Lord was calling me to give to. Being the medical-enthusiast that I am, I felt the Lord calling me to give to help provide life-saving surgeries to infants with hydrocephalus in Uganda.
3) Tanzania. After reading Radical by David Platt, I decided to take part in the one year Radical Challenge, part of which includes praying for the entire world. Tanzania was among one of the first countries I prayed specifically for.
I was taken aback when I clicked on the link for this trip on the AIM website... Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. Wow. I don’t believe in coincidences. 1 Kings 22:5 says "But before you do anything, ask God for guidance". I did. Going to Africa this summer just didn't make logical sense to me... so I got on my face before the Lord begging Him to give me guidance. I opened my Bible, and there in front of me is John 4:34-35 "The time is now to do what I've called you to do."
The time is now to do what the Lord has called us to do! I want to encourage you, my teammates, to keep pursuing the Lord, and taking every step (no matter how small) He puts in front of you to do that call. If we are too big for the small things He is calling us to do, we will be too small for the big things. I am praying for each of you every day, and can't wait to meet you! This summer is going to be amazing.. and I am so excited to have the opportunity to be a part of it!
Your sister in Christ,
Lindsay
