Well, I guess I am supposed to tell you a little bit about myself and how my mug shot came to be posted on this web site. I’ll start by saying that I have a love for adventure and an even stronger love for God. One of the greatest blessings in my life, and naturally one of the biggest influences in my life, has been my family. I have an awesome brother that I love a lot. I always know that my Mom is praying for me and I can always rely on my dad to make me laugh. I have been blessed with a close family and we have all been inspired by one another. For that, I am thankful.
I grew up in McCall, Idaho, where I spent most of my time snowboarding, thinking about snowboarding, and well that’s pretty much it. After high school I became a certified dental assistant but quickly learned that I needed more adventure than teeth have to offer. That is when I decided to follow my heart into the mission field.
I started with YWAM discipleship training in Denver, Colorado. After YWAM, I went to Alaska to work on a commercial fishing boat. At the time I was asking God what he wanted to do with my life. After the fishing season I met two mission workers from Friendships, which is an organization based out of Louisiana. They invited me to work and live on a ship in Louisiana, where I would prepare other ships to deliver humanitarian supplies around the world. I suppose I should have been a little worried when they extended the invitation after I had nearly sunk us all in the middle of the ocean (take note: never remove the drain plug from a boat while you are depending on it to float).
Like I said, God has given me an adventurous spirit. When I went to Friendships to work on the ships, I was looking forward to sailing the Oceans. Instead I was given toilet duty eight hours a day. I felt like I lived in the belly of a whale. I asked God daily why he would have me cleaning toilets. God clearly spoke to me and told me he didn’t need me to clean the toilets, he needed the toilets to clean me. In the time on the ship God taught me a lot about having a servant’s heart.
After that, I spent a second summer fishing in Alaska. After that summer in Alaska, I decided to move to Guatemala for while to learn some Spanish and experience a different culture. I went there by myself and without a clear plan. After a week, I tried to return home but luckily the airport had been shut down by massive protests. Before long, I had picked up enough Spanish to get comfortable and also began working with YWAM to serve the needs of the poor in Guatemala City, which is where I am now.
A month ago, I was in Antigua (I tend to spend my weekends there) when I met the 2006 World Racers. I was so excited to meet a group of people in love with God traveling the world serving in missions. I have always wanted to travel the world, but didn’t want to do something with out God’s leading. I felt like meeting this group and finding out about the World Race was more than an answer to my prayers. I am praying that God will use this to give me future direction in missions.
