My name is Samantha Cain. I don’t have many nicknames besides the typical “Sam” or “Sammy,” but I have acquired the name “Toucan” in my more recent adventures playing Frisbee on campus. This name comes from the fact that I tend to scream a good bit when running towards others or going in for the catch. I am from Brunswick, GA but attend school in Savannah. I travel home at least once a month so I can stay in touch with my younger brother Mitchell who is nine. I really enjoy the coast although not so much the beach. I guess this is because I grew up on the coast with the beach being pretty much in my backdoor.

I am currently a second semester freshman at Armstrong Atlantic State University. I am studying psychology in hopes to become a Christian counselor. I do not work a “real” job, but I do babysit for a non-traditional student for his 8 am class. Financially, my parents are able to support me with fifty dollars a week. This covers my gas and food expenses during the school weeks. With being a full-time student and with my current health insurance, I am not able to work. This gives me the opportunity to be very active on campus with many different organizations.

In my free time I participate in the Wesley Fellowship on campus as president. I also enjoy singing with the gospel choir when I can make it. I watch a lot of crime shows with NCSI, Criminal Minds, and Law and Order: SVU being on the top on my list. I occasionally draw and write if time allows. My all-time favorite thing to do is to play cards of any type. I use to really dislike Spades, but I’m learning to like it again. Sports are fun, but I am not super fit. I can be active; I am just not able to run for a long period of time. I do like softball and volleyball, both of which I have played in the past.  

I am an outgoing person but I do require time alone. I love watching movies of all kind. Unfortunately, I tend to fall asleep right in the middle, so I rarely see the whole thing. I am a little weird about my food. I am not a picky eater but some textures really make me lose my appetite. An example of these textures is like the fat on meat, the mushiness of bananas, and the chunkiness of cottage cheese. I love music and dancing (I’m not very good). I am trying to think of some things that I do not like. I don’t really like vacuuming, sweeping or raking. I guess I am just not fond of that sort of motion.

I guess I would be unique in the fact that I have been admitted to psychiatric facilities seven times in the past four years. I have had a pretty intense battle with depression, anxiety and self-harm. I have met and lived with a wide variety of children and adults with so many different personalities. Although these trials have proved very difficult and trying for myself and my family, I have learned so much more than I have lost.

This trip to Nicaragua will be my first mission experience. I haven’t had the opportunity to do anything more than just a day of volunteer work. I have helped out at a lot of churches and supported other missionaries. I am very excited about this opportunity but because of my lack of experience, I am worried that I will not be prepared. Through prayer, I have been affirmed that this is what God has in plan for me this summer. If anything would be to change, I know it would be of his will for me. I am very stubborn when I get an idea in my head. Of course God knows this and he has been very good at closing doors before I commit to anything. This process has been very smooth so I am feeling confident.

I am glad that I am getting this opportunity to experience another culture. I cannot wait to be able to use all the talents that God has given me and to continue to develop skills that will become handy in Nicaragua.