Courage, by Sydney Boukedes

Hey everyone! I’m Sydney Boukedes and I just graduated from Myers Park High School. I'll be a freshman at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the fall. I’m excited to go to Haiti because I will be able to serve others, see firsthand how the Haitians live, and have an incredible experience before I go off to school!

I decided to go to Haiti after my younger brother started begging my parents if he could go. I thought it was very courageous and sweet of him to want to go so badly. He was the one that made me want to go, not just so that I could look out for him, but so that I could learn to be as caring and willing to serve as he is. I’m extremely scared, just because this is not something that I would decide to do on my own. But I feel that the Lord is calling me to step out of my comfort zone and be as brave as my brother. It’s going to be challenging for me, but I know that the Lord is sending me on this trip to change my heart and show me that there is no reason to be afraid.

Direction, by April Purvis

In the midst of choosing classes for next year, looking at colleges, and social dilemmas, all through my junior year, my prayer has been for direction. Seeing other friends know exactly what they're doing with their lives really began to take a toll on me. All I wanted was to start traveling towards the future that God has planned out for me. After really thinking about it, I realized that I'm still young and have much more time and many more experiences ahead before I gave the final answer. In fact, in trusting God, I realized that nothing was the final answer. He has the power to step in and completely redirect me towards his calling and the path for me at any moment in time. Rather than fret about my destinations, I should live in accordance with His Word and place my trust in him. I may not know the purpose I am to serve yet, but I know that he's placed a calling on my heart to Haiti. After serving on the team last summer, I fell in love with the country, the people, and what God was doing there. He is transforming it, and part of my purpose is to be a minute part of the transformation. I can't wait to return and see how things have been changing over the year since I'd last left footprints in Haiti's soil. 

Going To Haiti, by Joey Boukedes

Hello my name is Joey Boukedes. I am a rising 9^th grader and will be going to South Meck next year. I like to swim, run, and do Krav Maga. I have been going to ADVANCE for a couple years now and I have seen many high schoolers return from Haiti. They all seem to have loved their experience and I have been wanting to go for some time now. This is the first year that I am old enough, so I immediately signed up. I am excited to go to Haiti because I think that the experience would be good for me. I will get to see what the Haitians life is like and get an idea of how lucky I am. I’m nervous about how hot it will be there, and about getting sick from the water. I am also worried about how much work we will be doing, and how exhausted I will be. But seeing the kids’ smiling faces each day will make it all worthwhile. I am a very energetic and crazy kid, so I think I will love playing with them. Overall, this trip will make me face my fears and that will bring me closer to God. 

Always Trust, by Brittany Hanks

     I am completely overjoyed that I am able to go to Haiti this summer. I know this is going to be an incredible journey, and one that will change my life forever. Ever since I was little, I’ve always wanted to not only help people, but spread the word of God. Last year when I heard about the mission trip to Haiti, I knew that it was something I wanted to do.

     I started praying to God about going to Haiti to see if it was the right thing to do. I know it was a huge decision, and I wanted to be sure that God wanted me on this path. When my sister came back from Haiti last spring break and told me about it, I was amazed. I learned that among all the devastation and turmoil in the country, the people are still joyful and are filled with the Spirit of God. This really changed my perspective, because I had no idea what the Haitian people were going to be like.

Even though going there seems a little scary at times, I just remember that the Haitian people have always believed and trusted God in everything they do. They helped show me that I too can trust God in everything I do, because he will always be on my side. And with God on my side, I know I can overcome anything.

Excited, by Andrew Watts

Hi my name is Andrew Watts and this is my first time going to Haiti.  I’m so excited that I have the chance to go on this mission trip with Advance and help out the people of Haiti.  I really enjoy volunteering in Exploratorium at church with the 2^nd graders and now I am so excited to go serve the people of Haiti.  I have wanted to go to Haiti on this trip since I first heard about it at Advance.  It is going to be so fun to go learn about a different culture and share God’s word with the people there.  One of my biggest fears about going on this trip is that I will get sick and not be able to enjoy this trip.  I know that God will be watching over me though and keeping me safe.  I can’t wait for all the things we are going to do there like help the people, worship with them and having the chance to play with them.  I am so grateful that I get to go on this trip especially with other Advance students.  I feel like God is calling me to go on this trip to help out people that really need it.  I pray that we will all have a safe trip and that will also have fun and enjoy spreading God’s word.  Every day I become more and more excited for the trip and I can’t wait for the day that we leave.

Everything, by Elijiah Whyte

Hey everybody!!!!!  I call myself Elijah Whyte and I am very excited to go back to Haiti for a second time.  I am 16 and I am in 11^th grade.  I live in Fort Mill, SC but I hail from the Great White North.  I have also lived in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.  I have three little sisters and one older brother.  My youngest sister was actually born the day I left for Haiti last year and her name is Elijette (a.k.a. Gabriella-Elise-Regina Whyte). 

    I went to Haiti last year on the summer trip and it was an amazing experience.  I saw people that seemed to have nothing, but they really had everything.  They were the happiest people I had ever seen.  I originally went to help show the Haitians God’s love and mercy, but I think I learned more about this from them.

    I am very excited to go back and serve the Haitians and show God’s love to those who don’t know him.  In Psalms 96:3 it says to “Declare his glory among nations…” I am also very excited to go see the children and love on them.  They were very fun last time and I know they will be this time too.  I am looking forward to building relationships with the people I go with and the people in Haiti, and especially to see people I met last summer.  It will also be cool to see what has changed since last year.  I put all my trust in the Lord that this trip will be amazing and that we will all stay safe and healthy and I can hardly wait until the day that we leave!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He has made me new!, by Katy Dassenko

I had started attending Advance in the fall of 2009 and had only been there a short amount of time before I was diagnosed with cancer and put into the hospital. In the summer of 2010, I went with Advance to Daytona Beach, Florida for BigStuf. There I heard Francis Chan speak on Gods blessing and how we think that bad things don't happen to bad people. He reminded us that we're in a WAR every day and blessed are those that persevere when confronted with trials. He gave us a verse: 1 Peter 4:12, which prompted me to read on. As I read on, 1 Peter 4:12&13 became my life verses after having been faced with a big trial. 

In February of 2011, I gave my life completely to Christ and shortly later I came across the verse Hebrews 12:1-3. Telling us to keep on pursuing and running after God and to always rely on Jesus. I had gone to a camp in the summer of 2007 whose theme for the week was The Ultimate Race and they made a song called "Dare to Run". From that week at camp I learned that the race I was running was already won, all I had to do was keep my eyes fixed on Jesus. Sadly in 2007, I wasn't really a Christian, but finding that verse 2 years ago and remembering all that I had learned from that week helped me keep my eyes on God.

Last year in 2012, I was riding to school with my dad listening to Aaron Keyes' song "I am a New Creation". The previous summer (2011), I had a t-shirt made with lyrics from his song which I wore a lot. But I had trouble really understanding and accepting that I really was a new creation. God had taken all my sins and shame, and made me a totally new person. This year as I was searching my heart for a senior quote, I pulled out 2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if any one is in Christ, the new new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!", which fit the requirements for how long the quote could be, and also served as a reminder to me that God has made me a new creation! I am no longer filled with the sins, regrets, and fears anymore, but I am a brand new person in Christ! He has made me new! Which is also why I love Gungor's song "Beautiful Things", it reminds me of that old person I was and how God sacrificed his life to make us new!

Making Disciples, by Stephanie Cameron

Hi!  My name is Stephanie Cameron and I am about to graduate from high school and I will be attending Clemson University in the fall.  I have grown up attending Forest Hill Church and have always wanted to go on a mission trip.  I wanted to go last summer but I ended up moving to Charleston and was unable to.  I am so excited about finally being able to go!

            I have always felt God pushing me to go on a mission trip but I have never been able to because I played competitive tennis and could not take time off.  I have decided to stop playing tennis and now I have more free time to go on mission trips and serve more.  Matthew 28:19-20 says, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”  This verse has always stood out to me and given me a desire to make disciples, especially after the way that people have poured into my life.  I am so excited about the opportunity to bond with the team and also hopefully make a difference in the lives of the people we encounter while in Haiti.

Preparing to go on a mission trip seems surreal to me because I feel like I don’t know what to expect.  I’ve heard that no matter how you try and prepare, there’s no way to anticipate the flood of emotions you will feel when you see a country as poor as Haiti.  I am nervous about how I will feel seeing how the Haitian people live but I know that God will use the experience to open my eyes and change me.  I think the only way to somewhat prepare myself for this experience is spending as much time in the Word and in prayer as I can.  I cannot wait to see where this journey takes me and the rest of my team!

Gifts, by Brisa Sander

Last summer, I had the opportunity to go to Haiti with Advance. I am so grateful for that trip because my life has been forever changed. I saw God's love more on that trip than ever before. It blows my mind how loving and giving the people of Haiti are. We rode through towns that didn't have houses. They lived under sticks and a tarp. It was really humbling to work beside a team of Haitians that shared the same love for Jesus that I have. I am really excited to return and see the friends that I made there. I also can't wait to work beside some of my best friends and grow a deeper relationship with them, and God. 

I came across a verse in 1 Peter that says, "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms." Each one of us has a different gift that we can use to impact Haiti. I love kids and I can't wait to spend time with them. I believe that every single person on this team is going for a reason and God is using each and every one of us. It is our duty to use the gifts He gave us to serve him. 

Reciprocal Giving, by Michele Dudley

God has allowed me the opportunity to travel to many developing nations, particularly over the past 5 years.  Most recently I was in Ecuador in South America starting a jewelry project with former street boys and underage girls who have been sexually exploited (trafficked).  While I was there, the organization that hosted me talked about the difference between mutual using and reciprocal giving. Mutual using in the context of a mission trip is when both the short-term trip team member and the "recipient" use each other for their own benefit.  The team member may be going to serve for the travel experience, to be part of a team, to learn about another culture and of course the desire to serve others and be blessing. While all of these things are good reasons, our motives sometimes have more to do with ourselves than they do with those we are going to serve. The "recipients" in country sometimes use team members to see what they can get from them to meet their own needs and wants.

The better alternative is reciprocal giving.  This is where both the team members and the people we are working with focus on graciously receiving gifts from each other. The people we we will be visiting in Haiti have little, yet they will make sacrifices to serve us the best food and service they have available – we need to graciously receive what they give us regardless of whether we like it or not.  Our gift will be a smile, a warm hug and serving in whatever way Mission of Hope asks us to – even when it is something we don't want to do.

I don't expect this trip to be easy… We'll be there during the hottest time of the year, likely doing manual labor, in the poorest country in the western hemisphere where the people have little opportunity to overcome their circumstances – but God. If we go filled with the Holy Spirit and the right attitude, our smiles, hugs, encouragement and labor alongside the Haitians will share the hope of Christ which is the ultimate hope for all of our hearts regardless of whether we live in plenty or in want. And usually it is the hardest things that prove the most worthwhile.

Out of the Bubble, by Emily Brady

I decided to go to Haiti because I wanted to get out of the bubble I'm living in, and I want to expose myself to new culture. After the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti I knew it caused the country a lot of pain and suffering, I think I will grasp the actual devastation when I visit this country. I have been to a third world country before, but never with a purpose to serve others. I felt like this was the

perfect opportunity to serve through God. I think this mission trip is going to strengthen my faith in various ways.

My favorite Bible verse is Luke 6:31 "Do to others as you would have them do to you," because it can be applied to almost everything in life. If you treat others with kindness and compassion then you will also be treated with kindness and compassion. But it can also work the other way around; being cruel to someone can cause them to be equally cruel back to you. This verse also represents equality in my mind. You should be treated the same way that you treat your neighbor; no better and no less.

I'm nervous about traveling to Haiti because it's a third world country, and I will be living in completely different conditions than I ever have before. When I traveled to a third world country before it was for vacation and I never saw the areas that were really struggling. I'm able to overcome my fear by the amount of excitement I have towards this trip. Serving the Haitian people, growing in faith, and sharing God's word surpass any nerves I have about this trip. I cannot stress enough

how excited I am to go on this mission trip to Haiti.

Transformation, by Charlie Bowman

Throughout my life, my relationship with God has kept me on the right path and kept me focused despite adverse circumstances. I have been able to keep myself surrounded by the right people and have experienced success in many areas of my life. My favorite Bible verse keeps me motivated and focused to reach my goals. I know that I can do "greater" things through God and only through God. It calls me to step up and use my success to bring glory to God.  

God is now teaching me to humble myself. I have always been the first to brag, and I used to become jealous of others very easily. Slowly but surely, God is helping me to listen to others and to be happy for others more. I am also trying to involve God in my decision making in all areas in my life. I want to be able to set an example for Christ in my school and to the people in my life through my words and actions.

I have never been on any mission trips before. I haven't even left the country or the eastern United States. I think it is time to change that. There are people in the world who have so much less than me, and God calls us to serve them. Going to Haiti is my opportunity to do so. I am slightly nervous, but at this point it feels so far away it's hard to get nervous. I know that will change soon though!

Exciting Trip, by Hannah Dudley

Forest Hill has been my church home for my entire life. I have been out of the country a couple of times with my family for mission trips and vacations to Africa and South America.

In the past few months at Advance, I heard about a trip going to Haiti this summer and was interested. So I asked my mom to see of she would let me go. (Not knowing that later on she would be asked to come because they needed another experienced leader.) My mom has been to Africa countless of times. After I signed up I wasn’t sure I would know anyone, but sure enough 2 people in my life group and my life group leader had signed up to come too! I was very excited! I started hearing more info about the trip and am getting more and more excited. I know God will do great works through our team when we are there in Haiti.

My favorite Bible verse is Jeremiah 29:11 which says: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope”. This verse reminds me that God has a hope and a future for you even when you don’t know what’s going to happen in your future, God always does and always will. He knows your every thought, decision and hope going through your head every moment of every day. He allows us to find hope in him not to be lost but to grow close to him when we need him.

I can’t wait for the exciting things to take place on the Haiti trip and the things our team will accomplish through God, our strength and our redeemer.

God's Children, by Cassie Tarr

Hey everyone! I am Cassandra Tarr and am fourteen years old. I am a freshman at Rock Hill High School. This is actually my first time going to public school (besides pre-k and kindergarten, but I don't think those count). I love to play soccer, and go running with my friends. I used to play for Discoveries ( a traveling soccer team), but I decided to take a break and focus on my studies this year. I am anticipating on trying out on my school soccer team next year though!

A verse that has had a major impact in my life is: John 1:12. It says, "Yet to all who did recieve him, to those who believe in His name, He gave the right to be children of God." My parents are foster parents which makes me a foster sister.(: Meaning we take in kids for a temporary time that can't be with their biological parents. The verse makes me think about how even though the kids' biological parents may have left them, God never will; and He loves them so much.  

I am really excited about going to Haiti, because I can't wait to see everyone that I met last summer. I am also looking forward to seeing and playing with the Haitian children.  I anxiously await going to Haiti this summer(: 

Meet the Summer 2013 Haiti Team

July 31st - August 7th, we send our fourth student team to Haiti. They will be partnering with Mission of Hope (www.mohhaiti.org) and our sister village, Minotrie. This trip will be highly relational focused on leadership development and encouragement of the village and its leaders. If you would like to donate to the trip, click on the Paypal button at the top left side of the blog. After you enter your payment method and press continue, you will have the opportunity to note what team member you would like to donate to. Join us in our excitement as we prepare to love on Minotrie, Haiti!

Hannah Lee

School: Butler High, 11th Grade

Extra-curriculars/Hobbies: playing soccer, hanging out with friends, leading a 4th grade girls life group

Secret Talent: Can touch my nose with my tongue

Favorite Bible Verse: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

Andrew Purvis

School: Charlotte Catholic, 11th Grade

Extra-curriculars/Hobbies: running cross country and track, fishing

Secret Talent: annoying my sister and good with kids

Most Excited About: going back and seeing the changes, the orphans, and translators again especially Delmonte and Etienne

Favorite Bible Verse: "For it is by grace you have been save, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God has prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:8-10

Audrey Moore

Chandler Hillman

School: Myers Park High, 11th Grade

Extra-curriculars/Hobbies: singing, drawing, acting, Myers Park Show Choir, Key Club, and Avid Club

Secret Talent: singing

Most Excited About: Serving the people of Haiti, meeting new people and reconnecting with the people I met last year.

Favorite Bible Verse: "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

April Purvis

School: Charlotte Catholic, 11th Grade

Extra-curriculars/Hobbies: tennis, skiing, kayaking, being outdoors, playing guitar, having out with friends

Most Excited About: Seeing Haiti a second time with a different perspective

Favorite Bible Verse: "But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him." Jeremiah 17:7

Joey Boukedes

School: South Meck High, 9th Grade

Extra-curriculars/Hobbies: swimming, Krav Maga, running

Secret Talent: I have a black belt in Tae Kwon Do

Most Excited About: getting to see how the Haitians live and realizing how fortunate they are

Favorite Bible Verse: "But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations." Psalm 33:11

Sydney Boukedes

School: Myers Park High, 12th Grade

Extra-curriculars/Hobbies: cheerleading, dance, art

Secret Talent: I can do a round off back handspring.

Most Excited About: Being able to serve others and meet the Haitians!

Favorite Bible Verse: "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." 

Proverbs 16:3

Andrew Watts

School: Ardrey Kell, 9th Grade

Extra-curriculars/Hobbies: running track and cross country

Secret Talent: I can work well with little kids and help teach them God's Word.

Most Excited About: Helping out the people in Haiti and spreading God's Word.

Favorite Bible Verse: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

Brittany Hanks

School: Ardrey Kell, 11th Grade

Extra-curriculars/Hobbies: AK Track team, DECA, French Club

Secret Talent: I have a really good memory.

Most Excited About: I am really excited to be able to meet all the people in Haiti and experience their culture first hand.

Favorite Bible Verse: "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Elijiah Whyte

School: Nation Ford High, 11th Grade

Extra-curriculars/Hobbies: Lacrosse, Whitewater kayaking, Advance, almost all water sports, cross-country, watching my lettuce blow in the wind, coloring Easter eggs(my favorite), eating, save the world (disguised as Spiderman).

Secret Talent: Peeling colored Easter eggs without supervision and sleeping with both eyes closed.

Most Excited About: Seeing how God has moved in Haiti since the last time I was there and Haitian food.

Favorite Bible Verse: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

Katherine Dassenko

School: Ardrey Kell, 12th Grade

Extra-curriculars/Hobbies: I'm in CYC (Committed Young Christians), I love reading and photography.

Most Excited About: I am most excited about getting to play with Haitian babies, sharing the Gospel with others, and helping the Haitians as much as I am able to.

Favorite Bible Verse: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here!" 2 Corinthians 5:17

Stephanie Cameron

School: 12th Grade

Extra-curriculars/Hobbies: tennis, running, swimming, hanging out with friends, serving, going to the beach, shopping

Secret Talent: I can run a mile in under 6 minutes

Most Excited About: To go on my first mission trip and hold the Haitian babies

Favorite Bible Verse: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20

Emily Brady

School: Ardrey Kell High, 10th Grade

Extra-curriculars/Hobbies: volunteer, hangout with friends, and play with my golden doodle.

Secret Talent: I work extremely well with dogs, especially ones who have anxiety problems.

Most Excited About: I can't wait to serve the Haiti people through the hands of God.

Favorite Bible Verse: "Do to others as you would have them do to you." Luke 6:31

Brisa Sander

School: Homeschooled, 11th Grade

Extra-curriculars/Hobbies: singing, song-writing, playing guitar, softball, and hanging out with friends.

Secret Talent: I have a pretty good man voice.

Most Excited About: I am really excited to see my friend, Delmonte, who I met last year. I also can't wait to see the progress that has been made since last year.

Favorite Bible Verse: "He has made everything beautiful in its time, He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end." Ecclesiastes 3:11

Charlie Bowman

School: Ardrey Kell High, 11th Grade

Extra-curriculars/Hobbies: Varsity football and symphonic band

Secret Talent: I play guitar.

Most Excited About: I'm excited to see a new place, meet new people, see a different way of life, and play with some kids!

Favorite Bible Verse: "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also the works that I do; and greater works than these willie do, because I am going to the Father." John 14:12

Hannah Dudley

School: The British America School, 8th Grade

Extra-curriculars/Hobbies: cheerleading/gymnastics

Secret Talent: gymnastics and photography

Most Excited About: I am excited to help alongside Mission of Hope for the first time and travel with some girls from my life group.

Favorite Bible Verse: "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Proverbs 29:11

Cassie Tarr

School: Rock Hill High, 9th Grade

Extra-curriculars/Hobbies: playing soccer, running, reading, and I love to do volunteer work!

Secret Talent: I am good under pressure, and I can take charge when tough situations come up.

Most Excited About: To see everyone from last summer, also to play with and care for the little children.

Favorite Bible Verse: "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James 1:27

Nick Dietrich

School: Grace Academy, 9th Grade

Extra-curriculars/Hobbies: Playing basketball and chilling with my friends.

Secret Talent: Writing

Most Excited About: Being able to help out all the people in Haiti.

Favorite Bible Verse: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters." Colossians 3:23

Savannah LaCroix

School: Charlotte Country Dat, 9th Grade

Extra-curriculars/Hobbies: in my free time i like to draw and play my guitar and piano. Also, I love to play volleyball and softball.

Secret Talent: Guitar and piano because I don't like to play in front of other people.

Most Excited About: Getting to meet new people, experiencing a new culture, and fall more in love with my Father.

Favorite Bible Verse: "Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him." John 14:21

Kathryn Moore

School: 11th Grade

Extra-curriculars/Hobbies: I play soccer and love kids.

Secret Talent: Leadership

Most Excited About: To play with kids and babies in Haiti.

Favorite Bible Verse: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

Alex Pastoriza

School: Porter Ridge High, 12th Grade

Extra-curriculars/Hobbies: running, reading, serving, baking, hanging out with friends and family.

Secret Talent: Good with children.

Most Excited About: I get to serve the Lord and bring the Word to people who may not know about Christ. To not only pray with them and share the Word of God, but to love on them also.

Favorite Bible Verse: "He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what do the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8

Tucker Zukowski

School: Ardrey Kell High, 11th Grade

Extra-curriculars/Hobbies: Advance, Student Government, and Diving

Most Excited About: I am most excited to see some of the friends I made over last spring break and to minister to and pray over the Haitians.

Favorite Bible Verse: "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all for the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31

Mary Zukowski

School: Community House Middle, 8th Grade

Extra-curriculars/Hobbies: sing, act, cheerlead, and play tennis.

Secret Talent: I can dislocate both my shoulders.

Most Excited About: I get to hang out with kids and babies, and even better I can spread the gospel while doing it.

Favorite Bible Verse: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Romans 12:20

Anna Zukowski

School: Ardrey Kell High, 9th Grade

Extra-curriculars/Hobbies: horseback riding, shopping, running, hanging out with friends

Secret Talent: my thumb is double-jointed

Most Excited About: Taking care of the orphans and spreading the Word of God

Favorite Bible Verse: "So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's troubles is enough for today." Matthew 6:44

Halle Obendorf

School: Carmel Middle, 8th Grade

Extra-curriculars/Hobbies:cheerleading, lead a 4 years old girls life group at Forest Hill

Secret Talent: singing

Most Excited About: To see the amount of love and faith the people of Haiti have for God.

Favorite Bible Verse: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

Phillip Mann

School: Ardrey Kell High, 11th Grade

Extra-curriculars/Hobbies: I really enjoy running and working outside because it gets me away from the stresses of school and people. I run track and am in Junior ROTC.

Secret Talent: I am double-jointed in my knees and can stand up with my legs crossed.

Favorite Bible Verse: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son; that whosoever believes him will not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

Brady Coughlin

School: Alexander Graham Middle, 8th Grade

Extra-curriculars/Hobbies:Rugby, football, coding, and of course video games.

Secret Talent: Groovy on the dance floor

Most Excited About: Helping those in need.

Favorite Bible Verse: "And the unicorns shall come down with them, and the bullocks with the bulls; and their land shall be soaked with blood, and their dust made fat with fatness." Isaiah 34:7

Hannah Fierick

School: Ardrey Kell High, 10th Grade

Extra-curriculars/Hobbies: I play guitar and sing.

Most Excited About: To follow God and serve.

Favorite Bible Verse: "And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free." John 8:32

Raleigh Parker

School: Ardrey Kell High, 11th Grade

Extra-curriculars/Hobbies: Lacrosse, Advance, student government, and Knights in Action

Secret Talent: Harmonica

Most Excited About: Serving God and meeting the Haitian people, especially orphans.

Favorite Bible Verse: "Call to me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty thing, which you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3

Zach Zukowski

School: Ardrey Kell High, graduating senior

Extra-curriculars/Hobbies: DJing, Stock Trading

Secret Talent: Entreprenuership

Most Excited About: I can't wait to reconnect with the people and translators that I met on my previous trip to Haiti.

Favorite Bible Verse: "Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, 'Friend, we have a better place for you!' Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests." Luke 14:10

Liz High

School: Ardrey Kell High, graduating senior

Extra-curriculars/Hobbies:playing soccer, hanging out with friends

Secret Talent: I can juggle a soccer ball 376 times.

Most Excited About: To see what has changed since the last time I was there.

Favorite Bible Verse: "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks." John 4:23

Leaders

Hannah Buwick

Occupation: Administrative Assistant

Extra-curriculars/Hobbies: I sing and I lead an 8th grade girls life group for the Advance student ministry.

Most Excited About: I am looking forward to seeing how God uses us as a group while we are in Haiti and what the results of becoming His hands and feet look like there. I am especially excited to spend time caring the Haitian orphans.

Favorite Bible Verse: "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us." 1 John 5:14

Michele Dudley

Occupation: Founder & Director of Fashion & Compassion

Extra-curriculars/Hobbies: running and reading

Secret Talent: an ariel (I performed one at age 40 in a mother/daughter Hip Hop Dance Recital)

Most Excited About: To travel with my daughter, Hannah, and meet some of the artisans whose products we have sold through Fashion & Compassion.

Favorite Bible Verse: "A man plans his ways but the Lord determines his steps." Proverbs 16:9

Jay Wells

Occupation: Life Group Director Advance>>South Park

Extra-curriculars/Hobbies: Playing with my wife and children. Disc golf. Mountain Biking. Building/Carpentry.

Secret Talent: I am a SAAB mechanic and I enjoy working on my cars.

Most Excited About: To serve the people of Haiti and Mission of Hope in any way that I can.

Favorite Bible Verse: "Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life." John 5:24

Matt Barcalow

Occupation: Student Pastor>>Advance Ballantyne

Hobbies: spending time with family, spending time with students, football, taking naps

Most Excited About: Watching God work in the hearts and minds of students

Secret Talent: I can push my stomach out like a pregnant woman.

Favorite Bible Verse: "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace." Acts 20:24