Hi (soon to be) friends! I'm Hope Cutchins, and I just committed to the trip and got added to the blog, so I haven't had a chance to catch up on quite all of your introductions, but I thought I'd go ahead and introduce myself.

I grew up in a small town called Mechanicsville, Virginia (yes, that's right, Mechanicsville. it's right outside of Richmond, and Jason Mraz is our claim to fame.).  Right now, I'm finishing up my third year at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, where I'm majoring in Spanish and Economics.  Everyone's initial reaction to that combo of majors seems to be "Oh, that will probably be really useful [/profitable] in the business world," but really I have about zero desire to actually be in business, and would much rather work for some kind of organization that does micro-lending in Latin America (but we'll see where God leads!).  I went on mission trips to Santiago, Dominican Republic every summer during high school with my church youth group, and my eyes were opened and my heart broken for what so much of the world experiences living in poverty.  I also grew to love the people, the language, and the openness of Latin American culture.  I have also been on trips with my youth group to work at a camp for kids from the Navajo reservation in Flagstaff, Arizona, and to Mole Polole, Botswana to work with two growing churches to foster even more growth by promoting unity.  If I've learned anything from these trips it's that flexibility and patience are key, and God always provides what you need.

I don't have a job right now, but usually I do a lot of baby-sitting, and I've had summer jobs ranging from nannying to working at Bath and Body Works to flipping rental houses (want to learn how to use an industrial paint sprayer?).  At school, I volunteer as a tutor in an elementary school, and I'm involved in Agape Christian Fellowship, which is the UVA branch of Campus Crusade.  I co-lead a small group and am a "discipler" (which really just means that I meet specifically with two younger girls and we have intentional conversations about life).  Other than that (and homework), I spend a lot of time watching movies, sitting on porches, and hanging out with my housemates.  Brooke Fraser, The Civil Wars, and Mumford & Sons are the soundtrack of my spring right now, but I like all kinds of music.  I love: cooking, sharing meals with friends, warm weather, experiencing new cultures, chai tea lattes, rivers, reading good books, the beach, the mountains, and singing.  I don't love: coffee, reading for school, shredded lettuce, registering for classes, or pollen.

I am so excited for what God is going to do on this trip both to grow us as a team and as individuals and to impact the people of Nicaragua with His truth!  He is teaching me so much already about trusting in His provision, and He is so generous.  I can't wait to meet y'all!