They tell me I’m suppose to write this, to tell you who I am and why I’m doing the World Race. Of course, I see why it’s necessary. It is just a tad difficult for me to articulate these things, and do it concisely! Those who know me would probably laugh at the thought of me struggling to find words, and even more so at my struggle to keep it short…
Who am I? The really short answer:
I’m Mandy. I am a Christian. I love Jesus. I love people. I talk a lot. I am a dreamer. I grew up in WI. I have 3 older sisters and 4 younger brothers. Hugs are my favorite. I absolutely LOVE to sing. I practice guitar less than I should, which probably explains why I stink. I’ve become a “runner” in the last year. I still kind of hate it. I’ve been told I’m very resilient. I owe that to being incredibly blessed. I’ve been passionate about missions and making a difference for 20 years. Therefore, I am STOKED for the World Race. I am also slightly TERRIFIED by it. What a crazy awesome, scary, and hopefully heart-transforming adventure God has placed before me!
Who am I? The moderately short answer:
I am Mandy Marie Kearns and I was born on October 28, 1987. Being born and raised in southeastern Wisconsin as the fourth eldest of eight siblings in a blended family, my childhood was quite an adventure (and a loud and chaotic one, at that)–years filled with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and a whole lot of cheese, waiting for the school bus (or running after it!), belting out Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You,” Barbies, hide n’ seek, Mario Brothers and Tomb Raider, long bike rides (and running over helmets), summer camp, trips to church in the big red van, Lake Michigan, dance parties, selling vegetables, horses, getting “A’s,” white eyeliner, glitter, and butterfly clips (oy!), and a sincere belief that I was going to marry Zac Hanson of the Hanson Brothers (Mmm Bop, Ba Do Ba Dop…). I later graduated from high school in 2006, came to grips with the fact that I would never actually be Mrs. Zac Hanson, and attended/graduated from Concordia University Wisconsin with a Missions major in 2010. For the last 3 1/2 years, I’ve been seeking the LORD’s guidance in my next steps, working as an elderly companion, nanny, and barista. With a big move to St. Louis in June of 2012 (with every intention of making it to Nashville), and a short mission trip to Guatemala that July, God spoke the World Race into my heart, and well, here we are, folks…!
Who am I? The not so short, more serious answer:
I am Mandy and I am a work in progress. My heart has been broken, literally CRUSHED, time and time again. This is essential to understanding who I am and how God has worked in my life to transform me into the EXACT person I am at this VERY moment, a World Racer in preparation! From a very young age, I knew that there was something different about me; God was calling me to a life of ministry (I just didn’t know it yet). I was baptized as an infant, but really became a follower of Jesus at the age of five during Vacation Bible School. *Heartbreak #1 disguised with joy and a sense of being “special”, despite my sinfulness* It was around this time that I discovered a desire in my heart for international ministry and outreach, and really, just loving people! While watching a commercial for the Christian Children’s Fund, I recall turning to my mother and saying “Someday, I’m going to help them.” Staged in Africa, a Santa-like looking man sat with an emaciated child with a bloated belly sitting on his lap. He was asking for sponsors, but for me, it was about so much more than just giving money; I wanted to be the hands and feet that delivered the aid and shared the love, the hugs, and the message of hope. I wanted others to know the Lord’s love *Heartbreak #2–heartbreak for a hurting world* Throughout the years, my faith has become incredibly important to me, and my relationship with Jesus Christ has been one of constant growth and transformation. It is what motivates me to live my life as a light unto this world, whether it be at work, in my relationships, or through acts of service. As someone who knows what it means to face adversity, *Heartbreaks #3-?* with divorced parents, adjusting to a blended family, experiencing the loss of loved ones, enduring homelessness, and having been touched by things such as suicide, drug and alcohol addiction, sickness, obesity, abortion, financial debt, rejection, poor self-image, and heartbreak, I know that God has and continues to prepare me, BREAK ME, for His plans for my present and my future, plans for relational ministry. I look forward to seeing Him at work in, through, and around me while on the WORLD RACE. All praise and glory be to HIM!
