Kristin McLendon: March 2013

Thursday, March 28, 2013

McLendon Missions 2013, Part Two

This Summer Robert and I each have the privilege of leading two different mission teams. He's headed to Scotland, I'm headed to Costa Rica. We wrote a letter a few weeks back and thought it would be good to share our heart here on the blog. Last night we shared Costa Rica with you. Tonight we are sharing Scotland. Thank you for partnering with us and praying us through what God has called us to! --Kristin

"I had the privilege of going on a mission trip to Scotland last July, and now I am leading a team of twelve back this year. I know what you’re thinking, “That sounds more like a vacation to a Christian country.” All of the mission trips I have been on overseas have been to Christian countries to minister to Christians, but this trip was different. I thought this trip would be a group of Americans holding a summer camp for a bunch of Christian UK kids. I was wrong. 10% of the Scottish population is “churched,” and less than that have a true daily walk with Jesus. This trip was the closest I have come to ministering to an unreached people group who have never heard the gospel and been impacted by the testimony of Jesus Christ. Christian kids do come to this camp, but 50% percent of the kids that come have not heard the story of how the creator of the universe desires to love them. Lives are changing, and communities are being transformed because of this camp. Christian kids in Scotland are ostracized in their schools, beaten up for wearing camp t-shirts, and made a mockery by their peers and neighbors. But we believe God is on the brink of doing something new in that country through these kids. We long for more. I work our RiverStone summer camp here June 30 – July 5, and then I will lead one in Scotland July 14 – July 19. We will be working with a local pastor transplanted from Zimbabwe and his church in Stewarton. Please go with me in prayer. I 100% believe in these efforts, and in the message these kids haven’t heard yet." --Robert

Labels: Missions, Scotland

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

McLendon Missions 2013, Part One

This Summer Robert and I each have the privilege of leading two different mission teams. He's headed to Scotland, I'm headed to Costa Rica. We each wrote a short letter a few weeks back and I thought I would take a moment to share it here on our blog. Tonight we thought we'd share Costa Rica with you. Tomorrow we'll come back and share our heart for Scotland with you. Thank you for partnering with us and praying us through what God has called us to!

"Last week I laid myself before God’s alter and wept. Overwhelmed by how much He has called us to and at the same time completely humbled by it. When I look at the summer before us--all I can say is Jesus you have to do this. The beautiful thing is--I know that He will--and in the midst of it we get to watch hundreds of teenagers encounter Jesus. I am truly thankful for what He has allowed us to be a part of and humbled that we get to play a small part in the lives of these teenagers. Our summer kicks off with me, Kristin, leading a youth team of 15 to my beloved country of Costa Rica. Why the Lord allows me to return to the country of my very first mission trip over and over, I do not know, but I am truly thankful. Each time He shows me new levels of His heart for ME--and for that I will keep going back. On a less selfish note, this summer our youth team will be deepening our relationship with the Abraham Project and partnering with RiverStone sent missionaries, Jonathan & Amy Griffith. We will be working with the children at the Abraham Project’s on-site Day Care Center and Children’s Home. We will be doing construction work, hosting Youth Group, Host Home Date Night Out, and doing local outreach. Mission trips are all about going and serving-but for me as a student pastor, I love watching the change that happens in my students. There aren’t words big enough to describe it - except to say that I will do this over and over, and as often as the Lord will allow me! Please be praying for the unity of the team, those that we will minister to, and the hearts of my students! We will be in Costa Rica from June 3-11. Then it’s Summer Camp here in the states June 30-July 5. We take nearly 400 of us to Covington, Ga for a week away with Jesus. Jesus has entrusted me with much, and I just want to honor Him and bring great glory to His name!!!"

Labels: Costa Rica, Missions

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Happy 2nd Birthday Jude Bug!

Happy Birthday my sweet one. I can not believe it's been two years since you have entered our lives. We can not imagine our world with out you in it! You bring us great joy and we love watching you run into the beautiful person God created you to be. With each new day we feel like we learn something new about you and I know this is only the beginning. We love watching you seek Jesus. Thank you for reminding us daily to have childlike faith. You are a true treasure. May year number three take you into the deeper things of Jesus. May you hear His voice even clearer than you do now. May you sense His presence in a deeper way. Thank you for reminding me of who Jesus created me to be. I love you, my sweet son!!

Thank you for a great day!!!
You do not stand still long enough for me to take your picture.......I'm not complaining....run...!!!!!