GENE ISERMAN
I must say that I was born an adventurous child. I grew up on a little hobby farm in Onamia Minnesota and was not confined with a lot of limits. I made sure that my mother never got bored. As a young child I used to jump off couches and the piano bench while my mother stood there helplessly terrified. Even younger than that, at the age of 2 or 3 I climbed up a ladder to the roof to see “daddy”, my father and a carpenter. I could not be contained!
I was the last child to the litter and I still am to this day. As the youngest of four boys, I was always being pushed to go higher or to run faster so I wasn’t left behind. And so i just kept runnin. I ran into kindergarten, they made me retake it and as soon as I graduated kindergarten a 2nd time, I ran right back out of Kindergarten. I ran into grade school and then I ran right back out of grade school into high school. Well the teachers were swell (aka… “Great” for the younger generation) but that was over quick and I ran right back out of there. Well now I am a Junior/Senior at Crown College and I am loving every minute of it.
Some things that I love include the outdoors, such as hunting, fishing, water sports, canoeing/kayaking, hiking, I love playing guitar, singing, writing music, and playing sports. Even though my life has been full of changing seasons, there are two things that I havent run out of, that is my commitment to people, and my relationship with God. At the end of 20 years I want to be able to say that I have done more than just payed my bills and supported my family (family to be). I want to be able to say that I have changed lives for the better, and through this trip I will be able to say that. Everyone who can see my heart in this matter and helps in this cause will be able to say the same. I see two worlds when I look around, the world that has what they want, and the world that doesn’t have what they need. Please consider supporting us as we support people whose very lives depend on it.
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Austin Petersen
(Traveled From Headwaters to Minneapolis)
I grew up in Shorewood, MN which is a small little suburb of the Twin Cities. We have a good little property and as a child I always loved going back into our little woods to explore. Numerous times I would try to build little forts or houses out of the twigs that I found but never did finish one that I was completely satisfied with. I always had high aspirations of making a bigger and better fort. I have always enjoyed being outside and working with my hands.
I went to private schools all my life and have grown up in a couple of great churches. I have always been involved in sports and used to find my identity in being a good athlete. It wasn’t until high school that I started to realize that sports were not as important as I was making them out to be. I instead started to realize that God had bigger plans for my life. I have taken several missions trips and on these trips God revealed to me that I have a heart for helping others. While I do not feel called to be a missionary, God has shown me that I can help those less fortunate through the talents, gifts and passions that He has blessed me with without leaving the country. This is one reason I am super excited to be a part of Faith in Action. It’s bigger than just me and you, it’s a movement to change the world little by little!
Cedric Speltz
(Travel from Minneapolis to Tennessee)
My name is Cedric Speltz, son of Rick and Michele Speltz. I am from Lewiston, MN, a small town in southeast corner. I recently graduated from Lewiston-Altura High School with Honors and will be attending Northwestern College this fall in St. Paul, MN. I will be majoring in biomedical engineering. I have been an active member in my community with Boy Scout Troop 18, Lewiston Helping Hands and Heart 4-H Club, and volunteering at church. I recently received the rank of Eagle Scout after I completed my Eagle Project this spring. For my Eagle Project I built a gazebo for Christian Crossings, a nonprofit organization also from Lewiston whose mission is to spread the word of God. The gazebo is built and will be the in the middle of a Memorial Garden honoring those that have fought for our country. I have been president of my 4-H Club for the past two years.
In high school I lettered in cross country and wrestling. I played the tenor saxophone in band and was the student director my senior year. I was also in the jazz band. I was a member of the National Honor Society and Knowledge Bowl Team. In 2010, I was selected as a state winner of the Minnesota ExCel Award. I also received various local scholarships, but I won a national scholarship as well. I was selected to be one the 100 $25,000 Buick Achievers Scholarship recipients. I have been very blessed by God so far in my life. I hope He continues to bless me on this kayaking trip.
