Kristin McLendon

Kristin McLendon

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Over the Valley, Through the Jungle, Across the Pond...Jesus said Go.


I love what I do. I love my students. I love seeking the Lords heart for my students. I love hearing His heart for my students. I love when I don't have a clue what it is He wants us to do. I believe it is out of this state of desperation that He comes like a mighty rushing wind. I love when He downloads it out of nowhere and you didn't see it coming and it leaves you in a big puddle of a mess because you know it is nothing but Him. Yes, Yes, that is what the summer of 2017 will be for the McLendons.

Jesus. Jesus said Go. We don't always know what it will look like and that is okay, but we do know that He said Go. He said go tell your neighbor about me. He said go tell your classmates about me. He said go to the grocery store and share about me. He said go to the widowed, the brokenhearted, the rich, the poor. Go.

"Going" for the McLendons has had many faces over the past eleven years. This year looks more different than it ever has before, but the impact is one that we are undone by and eternally grateful that Jesus would choose us to lead. If you don't mind, we would like to take a moment and tell you about it - simply to ask you to pray for us! I (Kristin) have the honor and privilege of leading a "get your feet wet" trip to Costa Rica desiring to introduce our students to missions and show them Jesus' heart for when He said Go. We will continue our partnership with the Abraham Project in San Jose, Costa Rica. The Abraham Project just broke ground on Phase Two that will house two new Children's Homes! Please pray for our students that they would fall in love with Jesus' heart for the Nations and they would come into an understanding of their calling in His Kingdom.

Robert is leading a "next step" trip to The Isle of Lewis, Scotland to challenge our students in sharing Christ with those that do not know Him. They will have many opportunities to share Jesus with peers of their own age. Please pray for our students, that they will be deeply rooted in Him as they will encounter peers of their own age that do not know Him - many that are proclaiming atheists or agnostic. 

Please pray protection over both teams. Please pray for unity amongst our teams. We are extremely excited about the plans the Lord has for our Student Ministry as we feel the impact is huge. He is obviously sending us out to two physical places, but the impact that is able to be done in our hearts is even greater. 

We simply write this today to update you to share the stirrings in our hearts and how the Lord is leading the McLendons and to say we covet your prayers. We can not do this without you. 

Below are some pictures of past teams, but the locations of where we are going just to help give you a visual. To stay up to date with the teams you can click here:

RiverStone Youth In Costa Rica (June 5-13)
RiverStone Youth In Scotland (June 8-21)


It is over the valleys, through the jungles, and across the pond that we go. 
Love, Robert, Kristin, and Jude

RiverStone Youth Scotland Team 2016

RiverStone Youth Costa Rica Team 2015


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posted by Kristin @ March 14, 2017 0 Comments

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

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posted by Kristin @ March 28, 2013 0 Comments

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!!!"

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posted by Kristin @ March 27, 2013 0 Comments

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Scotland; A step of faith



God provides.  He always does.  I have watched Him time and time again provide for my little family.  When it comes to the ins and outs of daily life, He provides.  When it comes to mission trips, He provides.  But what happens when He calls you to two mission trips--in one summer?  I still believe God provides!

We are thrilled beyond belief that Robert has the opportunity to go to Scotland this summer just as I did 2 years ago.  It is a beautiful partnership that we have with a church over there.  It's beautiful to see time and time again God show up in a little lodge each summer as a Summer Camp is held.  And this summer he's called my husband to be a part.

Here's the kicker.  We've already done the support raising thing for our first mission trip of the summer.  Which means we are walking in an even greater faith that God is going to provide.  I have been asking the Lord for creative ways that I may help with this endeavor.  Some may remember that my little corner on etsy started as a fundraiser for my mission trip to Scotland.  That little corner has evolved over time and the Lord has used it time and time again (to buy my hubby a Christmas present, to pay for a medical bill for Jude, just to name a few).  I feel it is time again to open up this little corner to help fund a mission God has called my family to.

Here's what I feel led to do.  My little corner has evolved from pins and barrettes, to necklaces over time.  I'm really excited about the necklaces as it came out of a need in my own life.  The necklaces normally sell for $12.  I'm going to mark the price down to $10 and all of the proceeds will go towards Roberts trip.  Are you local?  I will refund you the shipping (or msg me ahead of time and I'll make a custom listing for you minus the shipping) and I'll meet up with you or send it with Robert to the Daily Grind.

Want to take a look at them in person?  Just let me know!  I'll gladly meet you!  Looking for a specific color?  Let me know!  I'll gladly do a custom order (for the same price!).

You can make a purchase and support Robert's trip here.  I will refund you the $2 plus the $3 shipping (if you are local) in Paypal.

Thank you in advance for your support of my family.  We are giddy over the ways the Lord allows us to be a small part of His advancement of the Kingdom.

Walking in Faith,
Kristin

**If you would like to support Robert without purchasing a necklace, you can do so online by clicking here:  http://www.riverstoneonline.org  Click the "Online Giving" button, then select the "Scotland-Pinto" trip.  On the memo line please put:  Robert McLendon.  **All donations are tax deductible.**

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posted by Kristin @ June 06, 2012 0 Comments

Friday, October 8, 2010

Ghana on my mind....

...and my heart this week!


  • We have a dear team of women from RiverStone in Ghana this week.  Click here to follow all of their crazy God ordained adventures!
  • A family that is near and dear to my heart finally received their visa to bring their precious new daughter home!  They are in Ghana this week.  Click here to not only read about their ongoings in Ghana this week, but their entire story of their road to adoption!
  • And well if that wasn't enough, if you know anything about me, the one and only show I'll bend over backwards to try to get home and watch is the Amazing Race.  And yes, they were in Ghana this week.

So, what's the Lord been laying on your heart lately?

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posted by Kristin @ October 08, 2010 0 Comments

Monday, August 16, 2010

Oh, July...Part two

Here's the Scotland Youth Camp Video, as promised!




And good news....we went and picked up my MacBook from the Apple store today! It went haywire in Scotland and I've basically been without my laptop for a month now...it is all back to it's wonderful self!  Hopefully this means I'll jump back on the blogging and etsy trains!

Enjoy the video my friends...and if it's not showing up in your email/reader, click here!

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posted by Kristin @ August 16, 2010 1 Comments

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Officially Scotland bound...

I'm currently sitting on the floor of the Philadelphia airport awaiting our flight to Glasgow. Not sure how often I'll update our blog [and one can only hope that the hubs would entertain us with his humor while I'm gone] but we do have a Scotland blog that you can follow to stay updated. It is: http://Scotlandteam2010.blogspot.com Thank you to all of you that have partnered with me/us on this journey! Looking forward to sharing all that the Lord does with you!

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posted by Kristin @ July 15, 2010 0 Comments

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Scotland....

Remember that part two I promised you a month ago???

Well, here we are...3 weeks before I'm on an airplane headed across the pond.

And my heart is excited about it.

As you know, my biggest struggle was with the fact that we didn't have but one youth going on the team--which is my heart's passion.  But this new song the Lord has me singing....it's going on a mission trip to instead of leading youth, it's to minister to youth (which is not new for me obviously, but the leading a non youth team to minister to youth in a foreign country is--love, love, love when the Lord does something that you aren't expecting!).

Our whole trip is about leading a youth camp for the youth of Scotland.  Most of you know of the long tradition that Scotland has with revival and periods of spiritual awakening--but I have been told, as of late, that many across the nation struggle today in spiritual darkness.  Many are praying for revival for this nation and the Lord has allowed RiverStone Church to be a part.  This is the fourth consecutive year that RiverStone is sending a team to minister to the youth.  As a church, we firmly believe that this Youth Camp is a part of what the Lord is doing in Scotland to raise up a generation that will know Him with their every being and will share that abundant life with their peers.

We have a team of twenty that has been diligently working on planning out this Summer Camp as the twenty of us are responsible for morning worship and messages, small groups to discuss the messages that are taught and to pray, activity groups to explore the talents God has given each of us, evening worship, messages and ministry time.  We will also be visiting a local church after camp where our team will be responsible for the morning service on that Sunday morning.

On a personal note, I'd like to ask you to pray for me as I, along with another team leader, Liz are responsible for the morning messages.  Pray we hear and speak the heartbeat of Jesus.

The most important thing you can do for us is pray.  We need Jesus.  We in no way want to walk in our flesh, therefore we must have Him.  Pray we are able to rest in His Spirit.  Pray we are unified as a team. Pray as the Spirit leads you.

Also, please join me in praying for our finances of our team.  We have purchased our plane tickets, but we are still short for our ground costs (lodging, food, transportation) while we are there.  We need God's miraculous provision.  I've never seen Him not provide...so I'm asking you to partner with us in believing that He is sending us...therefore He will provide.

Thank you for being patient while it took me a month to share with you what we're doing....I covet your prayers during this time (I'll blog later about our Summer Camp here that starts July 4th and the specifics of how you can pray for that too!)

Blessings my friends!!!

**If you in any way feel led to support the Scotland Team, you may do so online by clicking here.  Please make a note in your giving that it is for the Scotland Team.

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posted by Kristin @ June 24, 2010 0 Comments

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

By tomorrow I mean....

So if you read yesterdays post I mentioned at the very bottom that I would be talking today about the details of Scotland...well by saying tomorrow I think I meant soon....upon getting home from work today I got caught up in scrapbook paper, ribbon, hole punchers, and paint...we're in full force graduation celebration around here (and I'd love to hear your guesses as to what you think I was making this afternoon!)!  The family begins to come in tomorrow!  So excited for my husband!


So, I have not forgotten.  Scotland will continue to get space here on the blog.  For tonight I leave you with this video as it is another worship song we sang on Sunday.  It will pertain to the next Scotland blog....enjoy Him tonight my friends!



**There is a video on here if you are receiving this in a reader/email click here to make sure you don't miss it!

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posted by Kristin @ May 11, 2010 0 Comments

Monday, May 10, 2010

I'm undone...my heart sings a new song...

So, I'm going to Scotland in just a few short months and the title of this blog about sums it up for me. "I'm undone, my heart sings a new song." We sang that song during worship yesterday and my heart was so overwhelmed with emotion as finally there was a title to the season that I've been in. To be completely blunt and honest with you, I've struggled with the fact that the Lord has called me to Scotland. If you would see my list, there are countries such as Haiti, India, Kenya, Israel that I feel called to. Not once have I uttered the country Scotland, but there's now a plane ticket with my name on it!

Here's the beginning of the story: A few months back I was asked to pray about being one of the team leaders for Scotland. My heart immediately jumped at the fact that it is known as one of the two youth dominant trips here at RiverStone and well, leading youth on mission trips is my hearts passion (and the Lord has had me on a two year sabbatical when it comes to missions). I still couldn't get over the fact that it was to Scotland. So I sought counsel, confessed my heart is for third world and disaster relief and was told that Scotland possessed a spiritual poverty that I'd most likely never experienced before and to keep praying. With that, I retreated to my prayer cave and came out a team leader for the Scotland mission trip.

A few weeks down the road, the team formed and we had one youth on the team, and my heart struggled even more. Why Lord? Don't you remember my hearts passion? As if I had to remind Him of how He had created me and the passions He had put in my heart.

So...here we are.  2 months and 5 days before we leave and let me just tell you of the work that He has done. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE OUR TEAM. I love the leadership team (there are 4 of us) that He has me a part of. I laugh at least once daily thanks to the emails we exchange. I love just bottom line being a part of a leadership team...it's nice to not be doing this alone! I love the way He's hand picked and hand crafted our team. It started really with a group of people that I didn't even know and I love how all of our personalities just seem to "fit." We're a team of 21...mainly 20 somethings--with a few of us that have crossed the threshold of 30.

All this to say, I'm undone. I'm undone because I've laid down my list of where I think I should be going. I've allowed the Lord to be the purchaser of my plane tickets and the ordainer of my steps. I'm ready to let the words of Smith Wigglesworth be the reality of my life, "Are you ready for the Lord to have His choice, so that His will and purpose will be yours, so that the "Amen" of His character may sweep through your very nature, so that you may know as you have never known before that this is the day of the visitation between you and Him?"

With that, I'm undone....my heart sings a new song...that song is for you, Scotland.

(**Part two, with details of our Scotland trip to come tomorrow!)

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posted by Kristin @ May 10, 2010 2 Comments