In 2005, I (Kristin) walked into Rev. Bills office and asked him to pray with me for a male influence on our youth group. Four days later he introduced me to Robert McLendon and said, “here is your man, now ask him to go to Costa Rica with you.” Little did we know how prophetic that statement would be and the journey the Lord would have for us. We have now been married for over 8 years and have led many mission trips both together and a part. From Honduras, to Mississippi, to Costa Rica, to Scotland. One thing that has happened is we have both been to Scotland, but never together. Now on this wild journey called the life that we live, in 2016, the Lord is taking us to Scotland, together.
We can not even begin to explain how wild of a ride this has been or the emotions that go into this calling the Lord has placed on us. From those beginning days in 2005, to Robert being in grad school, to Jude being born, to Kristin in grad school, to the Lord opening the door for us to be in full time ministry together, January 1, 2015. To being ordained together on July 19, 2015. We get to spend our days together ushering students into the fullness that God has for them. We are so thankful to Jesus when we couldn’t see what this would look like, He knew all along, and of course it is even better than we could ever imagine.
Scotland is a beautiful piece of this journey. While Costa Rica has captured my (Kristin) heart the past few years, God has made it obvious that we are to step out of our comfort zones and take our students on a not so easy ride. While the Lord stretches them, we are expecting to be stretched just as much, if not more.
We will take a team of 22 to the Isle of Lewis, Scotland, June 1-15. We will be working along side our RiverStone sent missionaries to invest into the lives of children and teenagers on the Isle. We will be partnering with YWAM while we are over there as well. Our greatest desire is to be a blessing to the missionaries-that we would not be a burden, but bring them life, joy, and refreshment in the Lord. We will be doing street evangelism and this will be stretching for all of us-and our greatest desire is that our flesh will die and they will know that Jesus is the One that sent us. Please pray that we will have the spirit of boldness and that we would truly walk out the words of the Great Commission. Please pray for us as we lead this team. It is different than any other team that we have led before. Please pray for unity of the team. The Lord has laid John 17 specifically on our hearts for this team-that we would be One, so that the world may know who sent us. Please pray this would be true of us.
We are writing to you to today to ask you to please join us in praying for these things and of course anything else the Lord lays on your heart. We are trusting for an army of prayer warriors to rise up around us. We thank you in advance for partnering with us.
Secondly, this trip is a huge step of faith. It is more expensive than anything we have ever done, but we are firmly believing that what God calls us to, He will provide. We are believing that our students will see God during this trip as Jehovah Jireh – the God that provides – and He will unlock something deep within their hearts as He does. Cost for this trip is $2500 per person. Would you please pray about partnering with us financially? If you feel led to contribute you may CLICK HERE for the direct link and choose: McLendon Family.
We are so thankful for each of you and the love you pour out to our family. Thank you for being our army.
Love, Robert, Kristin, and Jude
Follow the journey: http://youthinscotland.blogspot.com
