Hey Team!!

   I'm Rachel, I just turned 20, and I'm from a small town in Florida,  called Lake Placid (not like the movie), but right now I'm residing in Tampa where I am a sophomore at the University of South Florida (Go Bulls!) seeking a degree in Psychology. I'm hoping to finish early, go to grad school at a Christian College, and get a Master's in Christian Education so that I can be a Youth Pastor, preferably for Middle School! At USF, I am actively involved in Campus Crusade for Christ and the Lord has used those people to really help nourish and grow my faith. I have a big family who I love TONS and a mini daschund named Sampson, who thinks he is a human :)

 

   I absolutely love dancing, playing sports (soccer, football, volleyball), laughing, taking pictures, eating fruit and making random cards, posters, picture frames, and collages, etc. for my friends and family. I am blessed to say that I was raised in the church and have a family who loves the Lord. This is will be my third trip with AIM, but my first mission trip out of the states! When I was in tenth grade, I took a mission trip with my youth group through AIM to help with Hurricane Katrina relief and since then, the Lord has placed a desire in my heart to reach out to the people of Africa. I've been anxiously waiting for the Lord to prepare my heart and give me the go ahead to apply. I am so so so excited to meet all of ya'll in just a mere 82 days! I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for all of us on this trip and to see how He uses us as instruments to bless the people of Uganda! I have been praying for all of ya'll and I hope your support raising is going GREAT! I'm also praying for your families, because if they are anything like my parents, they are a little overwhelmed at the thought of sending their child to Africa. haha. I know the Lord has awesome plans for us over the next few months as we are preparing for the trip, once we make it there, and of course for how we decide to live out what the Lord has taught us once we get back! I'm so thrilled to experience this life-altering trip with all of ya'll and to make some awesome memories!

 

  In His Grace,

Rachel

:)