So for starters, my name is Claire Marie Smith. I am a born and raised, straight up Minnesotan. Yes, I do have a very lovely Minnesotan accent. I go to school in the same town that I grew up in, Arden Hills, at Bethel University. I tried extremely hard to get away but God kept me here, and I’m thankful. I am studying Athletic training in hopes of becoming a certified Athletic Trainer at a high school or working in the missions field running sports camps, whether state-side or abroad. I live with three other girls in a two-bedroom apartment. It’s been crazy to see how God has worked to bring the four of us together. Actually, it’s just super cool to reflect back and see how God has been working throughout my entire life to bring me to this day.

I have this crazy fear of frogs that stemmed from nowhere but they just freak me out. I have one tattoo. I love sports, but most of all I am an avid baseball fan and that’s probably one of the things I will miss most about not being in Minnesota this summer. That and not being with the boys I nanny. My music taste is pretty diverse but mostly hangs out in the indie/ alternative rock scene. I enjoy just hanging out with friends being goofy, laughing, drinking coffee, having a good time and listening to music. Oh, and I don’t have a facebook.

I have previously done a couple of mission’s trips. I went to New Orleans the summer after Hurricane Katrina with my church, where we mucked out houses. We also went to Jamaica and led VBS in churches that we were working on fixing up. Both were only for a week but gave me a good taste of missions and a desire to want to make this a part of every day life. My junior year of high school I studied abroad in Amman, Jordan and did missions work while going to school. It was one of the hardest experiences of my life but also allowed for a lot of growth, spiritually, emotionally and just overall as a person.

I am so excited about this experience that we get to have individually and also on a team together. I have been bubbling with excitement to get to know you guys and can’t wait to finally meet you all. As I’ve been reading more and more of the blogs I just see how God has brought us together to make this team and that excites me even more. I am so looking forward to being a light for God and sharing who he is with people who may not know him. I’m also looking forward to being stretched like none other and for us to all grow in our faith and who we are. I can’t wait to be completely disconnected from the people I am usually with for 2 months. The people of Africa have been a passion of mine and can’t believe that God is actually letting me go to Africa. I can’t wait to see how God impacts our lives and those around us both in Kenya and when we are back in the states. I could go on but we have two months together and I’m sure you’ll get enough of me. So this is me and I can’t wait to get to know you guys!

Claire marie