In the beginning...

The end of the semester has finally come. I have finished up with a huge studio project, an exam and a few other projects. All I have left is to attend class tomorrow, and freedom! Summer project is right around the corner. I am extremely excited about going to Australia and to see where the Lord is taking me.

For those of you who do not know me here is a little background history. I am from Richmond Va and have grown up in a loving down-to-earth family. Junior year of high school I started looking into colleges and found Virginia Tech and its amazing Interior Design program. Upon visiting Tech I knew I was going to be a Hokie.

Freshman year I got involved in a Christian organization call Cru. or Campus Crusade for Christ (vtcru.org, ccci.org). This organization helped me truly realize what it means to be a Christian and has helped me grow in my faith through weekly meetings, Bible study, discipleship and a Spring Break mission trip. . This year I am leading a Bible study for freshman girls and I am the leader of the Bridge International team, which focuses on reaching out to foreign exchange students. I have truly developed a heart for mentoring to both younger women and international students.

At the start of Spring semester this year we had four Australian students come to our campus to help us in our ministry here at Virginia Tech and o encourage us. I was able to become very close with them and was able to learn a lot about their country and culture. Before I met the Aussie students  I felt a calling to go on a summer project (gosummerproject.com) and God really solidified this calling through these new friends.

As you know, this summer I have the amazing opportunity to go to Melbourne, Australia with 11 other students to encourage the ministry ‘down under’ and share the Gospel with Australians. With less than 5% of the population declaring themselves Christians, Australians are in desperate need of understanding and experiencing Christ’s love. I will be 'down under' from June 30^th to August 9^th. While in the country, I will be building relationships and ministering to college students from the University of Melbourne, RMIT and La Trobe University. Not only will we be reaching Aussie students, but also internationals from countries including India, Japan and China. I feel that I am being called to go to Australia and I can not wait to see how God is going to use me there.

It has been amazing to see God's faithfulness in raising both financial and spiritual support. In order to go I will need $4,950 in support money to cover travel, living and ministry expenses. I have trust that God will provide for me by bringing along a team of supporters. Thank you to those who are have already given and are praying for me and the Aussies I will meet!

I am unsure of what my internet access will be in Australia but I will do my best to keep you updated on the work the Lord is doing in Melbourne. Thank you again for all your support and God bless!

-Nicole