In some senses who I am is a lifelong journey of losing myself and finding Christ in the process. This identity is more important than any self image or worth brought to me by my life experiences or people around me. It is this goal that is the essence of the Christian life, that in losing my life for Christ's sake I will find it. (Luke 17:33). 

That being said, Hi! my name is Brent. I'm a 19 year old freshman at Toccoa Falls College in North Georgia studying cross cultural studies, with the hopes of someday going onto the mission field full time. I've grown up in Georgia most of my life, however I was not born here. I was born in Honolulu Hawaii, in a pink Army hospital called Tripler. Yep, pink. My dad wasn't Army however, he was Air Force. His next assignment was Georgia, and I've lived here up to this point in my life. My mom lived a year in Peru as an exchange student back in the 70's, so I've grown up hearing the stories, which makes me really pumped for this summer! 

Growing up, I lived way out in the country, venturing out into the woods from an early age. The woods really were my classroom; I was homeschooled all the way through grade school (though my friends tell me that you can't tell.. I guess that's a good thing!)    

When I was younger I hated athletics, which is really comical to look back on. I played baseball until I was 14, and played basketball all the way through middleschool and highschool. My senior year of highschool I started rock climbing, which is now my sport. I love to climb, and really do anything outdoorsy. Most days climbing is my life. I mountain bike, hike, backpack, canoe, kayak, white water raft, hammock, you name it. A short term goal of mine is to be a white water rafting guide. I've been a camp counselor several times, which has been one of my favorite things. I'm also (not officially, but I'm taking some classes,) doing outdoor leadership and education classes here at Toccoa, with the eventual goal of getting certifications in outdoor skills. 

I had my first missions experience when I was 17, spending 20 days in Mali and Burkina Faso West Africa. That was a truly life changing experience. The Lord really gripped my heart for missions over the course of that trip. It was an awakening point in my spiritual journey, when I think for the first time my faith started to become my own instead of my parents. I went with two other men, one of whom I had never met, and the other whom I didn't really know, other than that he had spoken at my church a number of times. Being there I got to see God do the miraculous and impossible, from planting a church in the middle of a Muslim region with over 100 converts, to providing a ride out of the bush when our truck broke down in the middle of nowhere. My heart caught fire. And I've never been the same. 

Last summer I went on a Real Life trip to Uganda. It was about as raw and real as it gets. Parts of the trip were really hard spiritually, emotionally, and physically. I felt like God was breaking me down. But when He does that, it's only to build back up. I saw the Lord transform my heart, a process that is still very proactive in my life. And I pray that He continues to do so even more! 

So just a little more about who I am and what I do... I play 4 instruments, the guitar, the banjo, the mandolin and the piano. Guitar is what I'm best at, I just picekd up the banjo, but it's so much fun! A great instrument, such a unique sound. (now the nitty gritty) I'm a rock hard sleeper... For real. It takes a lot to wake me up or bother me. this makes travel great because buses, trains and planes make great places to sleep! As far as dislikes goes, fish and seafood are the two biggest ones. (traveling internationally I've had to get over that though. It's not about comfort when it comes down to it.) 

This semester I've gotten involved with a ministry called Atlanta Outreach, and every friday night we spend in an area of Atlanta called little five points reaching out primarily to the homeless but also to anyone else who happens to be there. This has been a stretching and growing experience, learning very early what it's like to be at war. 

Now time for the random...

I love green tea. and most kinds of tea, but green is the bomb. Coffee is king, enough said..

I have two tattoos, ask me about them, they both have stories.

So that's all I can think of right now off the top of my head. I can't wait to meet all you guys, and see what God is going to do in all of us and through all of us this summer. If you have any questions just ask... 

cheers