Hey! My name is Alene Julia Brunkhurst, pronounced "Uhh-lean". I am 18 years old and a senior at Cedar Crest High School in Lebanon Pennsylvania. I am involved in Track and Cross Country and I love to run (most of the time)! I have one brother named Wayne who is currently at Texas A&M University studying economics. I also have one stepbrother, Ryan, and one stepsister, Logan. I live with my mom, Betty, and my dog, George. I visit my dad, Bray, and my stepmom, Tracie, on a regular basis. I love all them very much! In my spare time, I enjoy reading. (But, I don't have a lot of spare time, at the moment!) I also enjoy photographing the sky, especially at sunset. I love hanging out with my friends, especially my best friend of 10 years, Laura. I have never been out of the United States, but have been to many places across the country which I have been absolutely beautiful! I have been a Christian since I was about 7 or 8, but have been closer to God in the past four or five years. I believe that my parents' divorce had a lot to do with my closer relationship with God, especially because through this time I really needed Him more than ever. Since I don't know when, I have had a desire to help those in need and compassion for those who suffer. I feel very fortunate to be where I am right now, but I feel like before going to college, I need to have a different perspective before my "life in the real world" begins. In my sophomore year, I red a book called "Kaffir Boy". The book depicted the life of a South African boy during the apartheid. Since then, I have felt that God is calling me be there. What better way than through AIM? This is why I am taking the trip, and I am so excited for everything to begin! I really feel that through this trip, my relationship with my God can only improve. I hope to discover some new things about myself, and discover the many amazing things God is, has been, and will be doing in my life and in the lives of others.