I do not even know you but I love you.  I do not even know you and I am praying for you.  I do not even know you but I know you are ridding yourself of the worlds expectations of you and allowing God and the Spirit to take over.  I do not even know you but I see Christ in you.  I do not even know you but I flipping love you so much.  I do not even know you but I am freaking out excited to get to know you!  

Dearest Team Expeditions,

  My name is Gregg Stearns. Everyone calls me 'Sandy' though which comes from my middle name 'Alexander'.  You may call me whatever you like and if it still doesn't make sense just call me 'Brother'.  I would love that.  

  I am nineteen years old and a child of God. I am a bit of a surfer-skater kid that loves God a whole lot and is falling more and more in love with him every day. It's intense sometimes but always so good.

  Last year after senior year I wanted to go to art school so badly. I knew that if I went it would be going against Gods lead in my life and just be me and my own selfishness.  I was led on a Real Life trip to Kenya.  It was so crazy and I had no idea what I was doing.  It was way out of my comfort zone but I knew I had to do it. Sure I have been on short term mission trips before to New York City and Boliva, South America but not for three months and with intense focus on freedom in Christ and bringing Kingdom(Which I had never heard of both those things at all before). Nothing was stopping me or making me fear a thing and that is all because of God.  I could never do this alone.  Anyway I went and God changed my life.  Everything I was holding on to I let go of. I claimed freedom from all the shame and hurt that was holding me back from being the crazy man of God I was created to be.  It was awesome.  God broke my heart for his Kingdom on that trip.  He is so so good and I can't thank him enough for the rescue.  You will hear more of my story and I of yours when we have team bonding time. Yes!

  I now have been back here in Nova Scotia, Canada(Yes, I am Canadian.  I give you permission to laugh and make great jokes) for almost a year and it has been awesome.  I am not going to lie.  The transition back into this culture and bringing Kingdom here is a tough and rough journey but God is faithful and gives me strength every day to be His light in the dark places of the world.  Fighting the world and it's poison is hard but I realized when I came back from Kenya that I don't want to hinder furthering Gods Kingdom here by slipping back into old habits and wasting my time doing nothing.  God is good and it has been wonderful being used by Him here.

 Right now I work at a group home with six beautiful guys that have physical and mental disabilities.  God has blessed me so much through this job.  He teaches me unconditional love and trust through these guys. It's wonderful and He fills me up with joy everytime I walk into the group home.  

  Sorry for the length of this.  I never intended to have this much to say at all. If you have any questions or want to add me on Facebook go ahead. I am so excited to experience this and grow together with you on this adventure.  Dang guys, we are going to Africa!  I love you all.

 'The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on us, because the Lord has anointed us to preach good news to the poor.  He has sent us to bind up the brokenhearted,  to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness the prisoners.'-Isaiah 61:1

Galatians 5-Freedom!