12rl0101ke - Jesse :]

Hello every one!

The name's Jesse. Or some people like to call me Jazz, Jazz Hands, Jazz Man, Jackson, or what ever name that starts with a J.

I'm 20 years old (hardly feel like it) and I live in IL. About ten minutes south of a small town called Prophetstown; pretty much the middle of nowhere, except for corn and beans. I grew up here for six years, then the family moved to Lincolnton NC. Stayed there for ten years, then we moved back here. And it's been about four years now.

I'm not in college or anything like it, don't really plan on it either. Schooling isn't exactly my kind of thing. I'm more of a hands on kind of person. I work at a State Park. Which I like. I get to ride with a fellow from church most of the time, and he's a real character. So that's definitely a blessing.

I really like movies and film. I like watching them, making them or messing around with them, talking about them and reading and learning about the whole process. Ever since I was young I have always been interested in them. And hopefully will be able to pursue that in the coming years. I'm looking into some possibilities; but I'm also wanting to see how I still feel about it all when I get back from this trip. See if that's a path that the Lord is encouraging me on. Oh and Lord of the Rings is my favorite movie, of all time.

I would say I am a bit of an artist. I love drawing. Don't do a whole lot. But when ever I got the time and motivation you'll probably see me working on something. And that's been more of a recent thing.

I love reading a good book. Frank Peretti is my favorite author. Love his books. I love the outdoors, hiking, climbing things, almost all kinds of things that have to do with being outside. I like playing soccer or volleyball or ultimate frisbee. I like doing physical kinds of things. I'm not a workout junky, but I like to keep my body in healthy shape. I also like dancing, I would say would I like to sing at times, I'm not really that good at it though. But I got some Welsh blood in me, so I know it's in there.

I'm not the most outgoing of people and tend to be quieter than others, but I'm working on it, and I think that this trip will be great in that area. I haven't done any real types of missions work before. Other than going to Joplin with a group of people from different churches and doing some volunteer work for a week. Which was amazing. I wish I could have stayed longer. I got a video of it that I made for the church and you can check it out at http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=130428097042574&set=t.100002261532631&type=2&theater (if you have facebook that is)

God has really been at work in my life this year. I've gone from being a pretty darn shy person who never really did much either than sit and play video games all day and not much else, and also not really taking my Christian life that seriously. To someone who is now getting more involved with the church and with people and just in life period. And BAM! Now wanting to go on a missions trip and to Kenya of all places. If some one told me about this two years ago than I would not have believed them. I've been seeing quite the change in myself. And so has my family. Speaking of which. I come from a family of nine kids. I'm the sixth. Cool stuff. Yep, I love them. That was kinda a random bit of info. But. More of the nit n' and gritty stuff.

I am super excited about this trip! Oh yea, beyond what words can describe. I think I'm so excited that it really hasn't sunk in yet. I mean I'm getting to go to Africa for four months! Holy cow! Is that not one of the coolest things! I already know that this will be a life changing experience for me. And I just can't wait to see what God will do in me while I am there. And I can't wait to make some awesome friends along the way. Looking forward to meeting you all!