Hi, my name is Michelle Stewart. I am a 15-year old girl with green eyes, brown hair, and live in Memphis, Tennessee USA. I go to Houston High School and am going to be a sophomore in August. I like school because I have many friends, have a great time there, and occasionally learn a thing or two. My favorite subjects are math and science. I am not the best at them, but I guess I am ok. I am involved in the Pride Club at school. This club is about staying clean from any drug or alcohol use. We visit other schools and perform skits to them which show what alcohol and drugs do to you and everyone around you. My favorite sport is football! I love watching it and playing it. My favorite team is the Green Bay Packers. My favorite color is green, too. I also like to play soccer and softball. I am not that good at sports, but I play them for the relationships that form with the players. It’s cool to see a team full of players that don’t know each other turn into a family. My favorite Bible verse is Matthew 6:25-34. It is about worrying. This is my favorite because sometimes I find myself worrying about things that I shouldn’t. It says that we shouldn’t worry because God knows what we need. And it says, “But first seek His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” It just reassures me that everything will work out.

One reason why I have decided to go to Ukraine is to, in a way, give back to God. He has helped me with so many things and I want to honor Him in every thing I do. This will be my second time back to Ukraine. The first time I went, which was two years ago, was an awesome experience. I had an amazing time. And before going, I had no idea how much I would gain. I came back with a spiritual high. My relationship with the Lord grew so much closer. This brings me to my next reason for wanting to return to Ukraine.

Over the past two years my relationship with the Lord hasn’t been as close. Maybe it was school or that I just kept making excuses for not reading my Bible or doing my devotional. I think that good inspiration and something that would just kick me back in place would help a lot. I love the Lord so much and I want Him to be a part of my life. I just have to realize that I am the one that has to make the decision to get back in the groove.

I also want to go back to build relationships with everyone. I miss everyone that I knew there. And I was bummed that I couldn’t go last year. But I needed to stay home and take care of my mom. She had surgery. She had a full recovery and is doing fine now. So I cannot wait to see everyone!

The last reason is to help other people find God. This reason is the most important one to me. It is so sad to know how many people do not know God. And we should feel so honored that He has chosen us to go out and lead people to Christ so they can go to heaven, and for people to see Christ in us. It would be so awesome to lead someone to Christ or just to plant the seed and have someone else lead them to Christ. I just cannot wait to see what God has in store for me. What challenges I will go through, what things I will accomplish. I just know that I can do anything as long as I have Him and give my life to Him.