Hello fellow Kenya-goers!

My name is Kristin Ivaldi and I live just south of Boston, MA. I'm 18 years old, but will be turning 19 on September 8th on the trip! (I wonder if we'll be in Kenya or still at training camp??). I'm a recent high school graduate and am attending Nyack College in NY for the spring semester. I had a really hard year trying to choose a college (I'm not a very good decision-maker) but finally decided on Nyack. I didn't feel comfortable going this fall though, and so here I am on this trip! The way God came through for me is crazy, but I can save those stories for when I actually meet all of you! As of right now, I'm planning on majoring in social work, but am totally open to God moving me and changing my plans. (I think psychology, art, journalism, communications and intercultural studies sound amazing too!)

This summer has been pretty crazy between working and having a social life. I currently work at Cards and Pockets- an online store that makes wedding invitations :) I love my job!

When I'm not working, I love going on adventures with my friends, painting, journaling, going to the beach and mall, hiking and spending time with my Jesus :)

In summer 2009, I went to Gabon, Africa for 2 weeks with my youth group. While there, we built roads, went to orphanages and hospitals, and worked with a local missionary at his church. Although I've always had a passion for Africa and its different cultures, my trip to Gabon created an even bigger longing to bring Jesus' love and hope to the broken. I get so amped by the idea that we can show compassion to the underdogs of this world.. yayayaya God's going to move in HUGE ways!!

I feel like I have so many things that I want you guys to know about me, but I'm not very good at organizing my thoughts, so I'm just going to give you a "Fun Facts" list so you can get to know me better :)...

-I was in a lawnmower accident when I was 4 and have no toes on my right foot. I call my foot NUB or NUBBY and tend to paint toenails on my skin :)

-I love art! Painting is probably my favorite, but ceramics and photography is fun too

-I like to give myself and others tattoos with sharpies

-I'm the girl who's always asking self discovery/ get-to-know-you questions such as.. "If you could describe yourself as any kind of tree, what would you be?"

-I love coffee shops and hope to own one someday

-I love finding treasures at vintage stores, resale shops and Salvation Army

-I love sunshine, dancing around my room to worship music, singing to myself (cause no one else wants to hear), long car rides, flowers, making hemp jewelry, scarves, smoothies, dresses, mountains, concerts and waking up early to see the sunrise

I think I'll keep it at that for now.. hopefully you have a better sense of who I am! I'm constantly learning more about myself and who God is calling me to be. One prayer that I'm praying over myself and all of you is that Jesus would show us our identities in Him even more on this trip, and leading up to it! I want Him to show us His purpose, His Bigger Plan. I definitely have a long way to go, but I'm so excited to understand God's timing and promises better. I want to fall in love with Him at a deeper level and feel His joy! Ahhh I'm so pumped to be a part of His holy and perfect plan!! :) KENYA HERE WE COMEEEE!! <3

God's Best! I'm praying for y'all!! :)