[Maracaibo, Venezuela. Summer 2007.]
My name is Jacinda. I’m 22 years old. I was born and raised in Orange County, Florida. I spent my high school years in Kennesaw, GA. This May I graduated with a Biology major and Spanish minor from Samford University in Birmingham, AL. The LORD blessed me with an amazing pastor and incredible faith family [Pastor David Platt, The Church at Brook Hills] in Birmingham. The LORD continues to use this body of believers to encourage me to be obedient to Scripture and live out the Word by God’s grace wherever I am living.
“What is in a name?�
I often get asked, “What does your name mean? Where did your parents come up with your name?� Jacinda Ann means “beautiful grace,� and my parents found my Greek name “Jacinda� in baby name book. I appreciate the richness of my name’s meaning and its roots. When I was born, Jacinda Ann was the perfect combination of all the women in my family: Janelle (mom), Linda (aunt), Ann (aunt), Jackie Diane (grandma), and Laura Ann (grandma).
Forever changed: Arequipa, Peru 2000
Since I was twelve years old, the Lord has ignited my heart for medical missions and has grown my compassion for the underserved. In October 2000, I traveled with my dad and my local church (Apopka Assembly of God) to Arequipa, Peru. I was the youngest member of the medical team, but I still found a job in the pharmacy counting vitamins and labeling medicine in Spanish (Peruvian nurses taught me a few phrases). Since Peru, I have served globally in Mexico, Uruguay, Venezuela, and South Africa on short-term missions trips with my local church. During my studies at Samford University, I have also served locally in Birmingham through interpreting and assisting at medical clinics and volunteering at Children’s Hospital’s physical therapy clinic.
[Medical Mission Trip. Pretoria, South Africa. Summer 2009.]
Creativity
The Lord has entrusted me with a passion for art. In high school, I took a few art classes. Then college came. In college, I deprived myself of time to “do art” with a crazy schedule and would return home during the breaks creating homemade cards, making Christmas gifts for family members and friends, and playing with watercolors. I majored in Biology at Samford, and through “Intersections of art and science,” [an amazing class co-taught by Dr. Dobbins and Dr. Thompson] I realized my need to express creativity. “Woven 139:13 was the product of the class. “139:13” refers to Psalm 139:13 which states “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” This summer I want to develop my creativity and produce art work to help fund the World Race.
[Woven 139:13]
I am blessed with parents who have raised me to become a woman of character. My parents have given me a travel bug. As a family, we have been to over 30 states and several national parks. I have a younger sister, Rachael, and a younger brother, Jake. I love each of them dearly and will cherish the times we have together in the coming months before I leave in October.
[Me and my bro Jake= laughter. good times.]
