KRYSTEN

Krysten served on a medical team in the Philippines.

What has God taught you about himself this summer?

This summer has taught me a lot about God. How wonderful and present He is. That He wants to know everything about you and you are wonderfully made. How He loves everyone and wants everyone to know Him in a personal relationship. Also, I have learned that God is a jealous God yet a very loving God. That I can't just brush Him off until I have a time where I'm really struggling, but I need to everyday have a time for Him and it's just Him and Me talking.

How have you changed this summer?

This summer has changed me by the way I look at things. That everything I am doing now, the choices I make, are going to affect my future. I have learned that prayer is VERY important. This summer has really opened my eyes to God and that He is really there and that He really wants a relationship with me. That he wants every part of me.

MELANIE

Melanie served on the Love the Children in the Philippines. She is the one in purple.

·      How has your involvement in Nehemiah Teams/P52 changed your view on missions?

My involvement with Nehemiah Teams has really shown me the need for missions and how everyone is supposed to take up the call and do their part. I realize the crucial need and I’m so glad I had the opportunity to spend my summer doing God’s Will. And even if I never have the opportunity to live overseas, there is so much I can do to be a missionary at home.

·      What one story/experience sums up your summer?

My favorite story from the summer was when we decided to go tubing down the river. We had to have a strange man lead the way because we had no idea where we were going. It turns out we were on the wrong side of the river so my entire team had to join hands and physically cross the river. It reminded me a lot about God and how we have to follow His Plan even if we have no idea where we are going. And sometimes we have to cross over rivers in order achieve the ultimate goal of spreading His Gospel. But in the end, the experience is so worth it and if you let it, it can be a ton of fun!

·      How did knowing people at home were praying for you affect your performance/determination to finish the race strong?

Because I know that people at home are praying for me, I’ve stayed encouraged because I know with so much prayer on my side, I cannot fail. And I want to make the best of my time so that I can share with them everything that I did and that their money and prayers were used 100%. So many people have supported me this summer and I don’t want to let them down by not doing my absolute best!

·      Why should people sign up for Nehemiah Teams/P52?

I think people should sign up for Nehemiah Teams so that they can have a full understanding of the crucial need for missionaries. It’s really helped me realize my full potential and the call I’m supposed to answer. Even though I am only 19, I feel like I have a much better understanding of missions now that I have actually gone and seen the world. And the entire experience is so rewarding. It has definitely been the most productive and beneficial summer of my life.