ECHO, The Voice, Curry Schools/Spring 1993 -13

Ms. Kerry Kathleen Shannon, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Shannon of Dendron, Virginia is a 1988 graduate of Surry County High School. She is currently a senior at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, majoring in Social Work.

With one more difficult year ahead, Kerry made a decision to take one year off from her studies. She traveled to Lindale, Texas, and joined the Last Days Ministries to experience, what she feels was, the most exciting five months of her life. The Discipleship Training School in which she participated, was a program designed to "allow you to get away from the pressures and distractions of daily life and to really be able to hear God more clearly." The second phase of the program was an overseas missions outreach structured to practice what you have learned. Kerry's outreach ministry site was, Santa Cruz, Bolivia.

Kerry observed that, Bolivia the poorest nation in South America, has much to teach Americans. For example, Bolivians are not time conscious but focus on a major goal, to just get the task accomplished, no matter how long it takes. They place a higher priority on people no jobs, houses or cars. Bolivians are family oriented and have several children. They are loving, humble and generous people.

After spending a month in Bolivia, Kerry returned home where she is currently working with a youth of Surry Christian Fellowhip in Surry, Virginia. She is helping them prepare for a mission's trip to Jamaica in August.

"I am excited that they have such a tremendous opportunity to show God's love to another culture. I want them to be prepared for the challenges they will face, having experienced similar circumstances myself," she said.

Kerry's interests include: Christian music, reading, cross stitching, writing letters and getting into theological/spiritual discussions. She will return to George Mason the fall to complete the requirements for her degree, and she hopes to travel throughout the United States after graduation. Kerry also plans to become a member of the staff of Last Days Ministries in Lindale, Texas.