Getting to Know Riah

Two weeks ago I thought I'd be spending my July vacationing on a beach in Savannah, GA. As I was considering how much to budget for the trip, I was reminded of a mission trip I'd heard of and how I'd brushed it off without even praying God would provide a way for me to go. I stopped right then and prayed...and here I am!

It's all happened really quickly; however, I couldn't be more excited about serving in Bolivia with this awesome team. They're funny, quirky and fully committed to Christ. In my opinion, that's the best combination.

For those who don't know me, I grew up in Peru with my two older brothers as a missionary kid of Peter and Carol Lawry, missionaries with Wycliffe Bible Translators. We lived in Yarina, just outside of Pucallpa, until 2000 when we moved back to the states and eventually relocated to JAARS in Waxhaw, NC. After high school, I went to Asbury University in Kentucky and graduated with degrees in journalism and media communication. Currently, I'm living in Charlotte and working at a marketing and technology company called Red Ventures.

Now that you "know" me and we're past the boring stuff, here are some fun facts. =)

• Riah's favorite foods are (in order of importance): rice, avocado, papaya, tea, apples and chocolate.
• You will never see Riah eating winter squash. Never. It's not physically possible.
• Her Toyota is named Beatrice. It's appropriate.
• To Riah camping is better than a five-star hotel. 
• Riah has gotten sick in the following countries: Peru, Mexico, Guinea-Bissau and Turkey. She managed to stay healthy in the Netherlands, Kenya, Senegal and the United Kingdom. Hopefully Bolivia falls in the latter.
• Riah is a recent Crossfit convert. 
• Her two older brothers pretty much (emphasis on "pretty much") inoculated her against most reptiles and insects. Ticks are in a whole other class. Don't even mention them around her.
• Jesus is the best!

Thanks for reading my little bio. Please be praying for me and my team as we prepare to head down to Bolivia for English Village. I could use prayer that I'd get finances figured out and that I'd be spiritually prepared. Thanks!