Laura Scharmer

This is me with some of my disciples at Columbia.  And a dog.

1. Your name, year, school, and major

Hola, I'm Laura.  I graduated from Vanderbilt University and studied International Development and French.  Now I'm still studying International Development at the University of Denver earning my Master's degree.  In between those two I was a FOCUS missionary at Columbia University (3 years!) and now I work for FOCUS Missions!!

2. If you could spend one day doing anything, what would it be?

I would wake up in a little cabin in the woods and drink coffee on the porch as the sun rose.  Then all of my favorite people would show up and we would go mountain biking in the Blue Ridge Mountains.  After that we would have a picnic by a big beautiful lake in the mountains and then we would swim and canoe and stuff like that.  The evening would bring a campfire with s'mores and guitars and we would stay up til the wee hours and look at the stars and sleep in tents. 

3. What kind of music do you listen to?

Umm I like Indie stuff, especially Indie Christian stuff.  I'm talking Josh Garrels, the Oh Hellos, Audrey Assad.  I also like Head and the Heart, Lumineers, but I could also go for classic rock, Sinatra, and anything from the 90s.  Don't make me listen to techno, please.

4. What inspires you?

OMG like all the saints because they are all so different and they became saints by becoming who God made them each to be.

Seeing others' faith and zeal really get me, and people who are strong through persecution and suffering.  So cool.

5. What countries have you traveled to/lived in?

I lived in France for 4 months, have traveled to India, Togo (West Africa), Tunisia (North Africa), Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Italy, Ireland, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Canada (does that count?)

6. Do you prefer sunrise or sunset and why?

Sunrise because it's so quiet and peaceful and everyone else is usually still sleeping.  Plus it's a start to another beautiful day.

7. What is your favorite passage in Scripture?

Do you not know?  Have you not heard?

The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stuble and fall;

but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grown weary,

they will walk and not be faint.

[Isaiah 40: 28-31]

8. What are you most excited about with this mission trip?

To witness God to awesome things in people's lives.  And to know that He is working even if we can't see it.

Can't wait to meet y'all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!