Education: I’m a master’s student at the University of Wyoming, and I’m currently working on the Mozambican civil war (1977-1992) for my thesis.
My Story: I was raised in a Christian home but didn’t really get serious about my faith until my junior year in high school. Since then, I had a pretty major crisis/period/thing in my relationship with Christ from 2009-2010, where I struggled with a lot of issues I had with God. Since I got out of that, I’ve still been slowly recovering from the many mistakes I made during that time. God is good, though, and I definitely think that He is using and will continue to use that period in my life to make me more steadfast in my love/trust for Him and my relationships with other people.
Why serve with Children's Relief International? I’m working with CRI this summer mostly due to the amazing experience I had last year with my internship in Moz. I miss my Mozambican friends, and I’m looking forward to seeing them again. A second reason for this trip is to combine my internship with research for my master’s thesis. I hope to talk with veterans about the civil war and get their perspectives/memories on it.
Hobbies/Interests: I have few of these. I like to read, play chess, get up into the mountains for camping and hunting, and I play drums whenever I can. That's about it.
Major influence or hero in my life? Two very big influences are C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. Their writings have shaped my thinking quite a bit. A few heroes are my grandpa, Dean Beemer, one of the toughest/coolest guys I’ve ever known, and a surrogate grandpa in the form of my percussion teacher, Ronnie Bedford, who taught me everything I know about drums and a lot of other things in life.
Favorites: I really like listening to metal, psychedelic metal and doom metal are my recent favorites (don’t ask). My favorite movies are all the Spaghetti Westerns by Sergio Leone, the Godfather, Fight Club, and Braveheart. Oh…and Star Wars. Favorite novel of all time is easily Tolkien’s The Silmarillion.
Where: I will be serving in Mozambique this summer.
Education: I am a senior in Biology at Texas A&M University. In the future I plan to attend The School of Rural Public Health through the Texas A&M Health Science Center. I want to specialize in Epidemiology and work for the CDC
My Story: Sophomore year I moved in with a new roommate in the dorm (who is now one of my best friends). She was a bible study leader for an organization on campus called Intervarsity (IV). I began going to her bible study and thinking more about the possibility of God. That spring I decided to go to the Yucatan on a mission trip with IV. I told them I was going to help people, not to learn about God. It was in that small village where I found him. The feeling of transformation I received by the Holy Spirit was something I could not simply explain away by science. Since that day I have followed God with my whole heart and I will continue to follow him to India!
Why serve with Children's Relief International? I am serving with CRI this summer because while at a conference last May I really felt called to go to the red light district of India. The following Fall I went to the annual Go Missions conference on A&M’s campus. CRI was the very first booth I walked up to and the first thing I was told was, “Hi we are Children’s Relief International and we work with women and children in Kolkata, India.” I instantly knew I would apply for this trip.
Hobbies/Interests: I love to play the piano, sing, and write music. I grew up showing horses and snowboarding. I also enjoy spending time hiking, camping, kayaking and pretty much anything where I can be outside
Major influence or hero in my life? Growing up my sister and I would spend a lot of time with my grandparents and in the summers we would travel the country for a month or so in their motor home. My grandpa taught me how to respect others and work hard. He has fought cancer three times since I was old enough to remember and he’s beat it every time. It is inspirational to meet someone who really lives life to the fullest no matter what obstacles he faces. My grandmother is the kind of woman who will do anything for anyone. My grandparents taught me how to be selfless, how to work hard and how to really show love to others.
Favorites: I love to read and my favorite author is Wilber Smith, a historical action novelist. My favorite books by him are his Egypt series. I have a not so small fascination with ancient Egypt. When it comes to movies Im also pretty diverse, but I will always pick action and sci fi over romance.
Where: I will be serving at 3 different projects in India this summer.
Education: I am an (incoming) junior political communication major at Cedarville University. My dreams with God range from Christ-like diplomacy within government to involvement in a major non-profit organization.
My Story: I grew up in a small town and accepted Christ in my family’s church as an elementary school student. As I learned and grew, I came to understand that I truly am caught in God’s grace. Because of that, I have the courage and freedom to pursue my heart’s greatest passions with God - combatting poverty and seeking to be a voice to the voiceless.
Why serve with Children's Relief International? I had no intentions of interning abroad this year. When CRI visited Cedarville for our annual missions conference, I felt God asking me to go specifically to CRI’s table. As I spoke with Todd, I quickly realized that CRI is established to fulfill the same ambitions my heart so longs to accomplish: physically and spiritually love the impoverished.
Hobbies/Interests: I love to debate, write, run, and I enjoy acting.
Major influence or hero in my life? Historically, I would say William Wilberforce. He intertwined faith and human rights in a way that gives me the hope to believe that Christians can fight for social justice. Also, my mom. She has been my unwavering rock to comfort me through difficult times, rejoice with me in celebration, and constantly sharpen my faith.
Favorites: I love Casting Crowns and Hillsong! My favorite movies are Amazing Grace, and Au Revoir Les Enfants. For books I would say, Aristotle’s ”The Rhetoric” and Le Petit Prince.
Where: I will be serving in Dondo, Mozambique this summer!
Education: I just finished my Junior year at Liberty University. I am an International Politics and Policy major. Upon graduating, I intend to go to grad school and obtain my Masters in International Policy.
My Story: I grew up in a Christian home with amazing influences who encouraged me daily. My faith really became my own when I moved out of that atmosphere and lived on my own. I have grown so much in my faith during my college years. I have learned to trust God as my Provider, my Comfort, my Everything. I am excited to see where He leads me next.
Why serve with Children's Relief International? I am spending my summer as an intern with CRI because I believe that God is going to use this to begin to show me what He has planned for me next in life. I believe this internship will teach me how to combine my passion for international politics with my passion for serving others in Christ.
Hobbies/Interests: I love to read, my favorite part of summer is being able to read books for fun and not just for studying. I also really enjoy political activism. I have been involved with different political groups that have given me the opportunity to talk to adults and students like myself about what is going on in our world today and how we can be involved.
Major influence or hero in my life? My hero is Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Bonhoeffer is a man who followed God’s calling into the absolute most dangerous place possible. He had such a tremendous faith and a confidence that God would protect him and provide for him so long as he obeyed. I admire his faith and his courage, and most of all his servant heart.
Favorites: My favorite movie is Saving Private Ryan- I love history, and I particularly enjoy studying WWII. I also really enjoy watching foreign films and documentaries pertaining to the War. My favorite books are Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxas and Three Cups of Tea and its sequel, Stones into Schools by Greg Mortensonn. I love music, of any genre. I am currently on a Mufford & Sons/The Civil Wars/Avett Brothers kick.
Where: I will be serving at 3 different projects in India this summer.
Education: I am finishing my Junior year at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and majoring in food science. I plan on attending medical school to become an ER doctor.
My Story: I was raised in a Christian home. Growing up, my favorite part about church was going to AWANA. I went on a missions trip to Trinidad with my youth group while in high school, and absolutely loved the experience! We worked with kids in orphanages, youth prisons, and in their villages doing VBS programs.
Why serve with Children's Relief International? My experiences in Trinidad were so positive and had a great impact on me, so I wanted to participate in a similar trip. I love being able to have the opportunity to help, equip, and encourage those less fortunate than me in any way that I can.
Hobbies/Interests: I play trumpet in the UW-Marching Band, and love playing at the football games and other athletic events, and being able to travel with and cheer for our teams. I am hoping for a third trip to the Rose Bowl (and a win this time)! I also enjoy playing ultimate frisbee, distance running, and devouring ice cream.
Major influence or hero in my life? My parents have definitely been the biggest influence in my life. They constantly push me to be the best that I can be, as all good parents do. And I know they will always love me, even when I do "crazy" things like take a trip to Africa.
Favorites: I love movies that have that killer combination of humor, romance, and action, like Pirates of the Caribbean. I listen to a wide variety of music, but never country. My favorite band right now is Fun.
