Let the Journey Begin!
So after two years of thinking, praying, and searching; I am all set to venture to the "mother land", England. Ever since I can remember, I have had a heart for missions work. The only non-domestic trip I have taken was to Mexico in high school. Our group went into a barrio and lead a Vacation Bible School for the local kids. I think that experience flipped a switch in me; growing passion in my heart to serve the needy, understand other cultures, and play with kids!
Over the years I have explored many career and educational paths. I have spent a lot of time developing my passions but kept feeling a pull to step out into some overseas missions. Most missionaries seem to have a strong interest in one specific country or type of service and since I couldn't define that, I didn't see a clear path for me.
After getting to know my friend Laura Bookout Matias, who serves with YWAM in Brazil, I started to explore opportunities to serve with YWAM. Laura's job with the kids in the slums of Belo Horizonte inspired me and pulled at my heart strings. Through some research I found the Notting Hill YWAM base in London England and began dialog with some of their local missionary staff. This felt like a good fit for me and I applied, visited the base, and was accepted to their Fall 2010 Discipleship Training School; the prerequisite course for all of their various service positions.
The Discipleship Training is a course consisting of 3 months of training, bible study, and local outreach followed by two months of service in another country. This short-term mission service will give me a "taste" of what overseas service is like and prepare me to step into one of YWAM's many opportunities all over the world, if I choose.
With UK VISA in hand, I am set to hop the pond in October and take on my DTS. I will be living in community (which I never thought I would do again!) with a whole bunch of other folks from all over the world. I am not sure what all to expect but am trusting God to take me through each step and teach me a lot of new things! I am ready for the challenge!
Now to get to my packing...5 months worth of stuff in two bags!! (ugh! I hate to pack!) Getting set to deal with the space limitations is my first hurdle...I might need some prayer on this one!
Over the years I have explored many career and educational paths. I have spent a lot of time developing my passions but kept feeling a pull to step out into some overseas missions. Most missionaries seem to have a strong interest in one specific country or type of service and since I couldn't define that, I didn't see a clear path for me.
After getting to know my friend Laura Bookout Matias, who serves with YWAM in Brazil, I started to explore opportunities to serve with YWAM. Laura's job with the kids in the slums of Belo Horizonte inspired me and pulled at my heart strings. Through some research I found the Notting Hill YWAM base in London England and began dialog with some of their local missionary staff. This felt like a good fit for me and I applied, visited the base, and was accepted to their Fall 2010 Discipleship Training School; the prerequisite course for all of their various service positions.
The Discipleship Training is a course consisting of 3 months of training, bible study, and local outreach followed by two months of service in another country. This short-term mission service will give me a "taste" of what overseas service is like and prepare me to step into one of YWAM's many opportunities all over the world, if I choose.
With UK VISA in hand, I am set to hop the pond in October and take on my DTS. I will be living in community (which I never thought I would do again!) with a whole bunch of other folks from all over the world. I am not sure what all to expect but am trusting God to take me through each step and teach me a lot of new things! I am ready for the challenge!
Now to get to my packing...5 months worth of stuff in two bags!! (ugh! I hate to pack!) Getting set to deal with the space limitations is my first hurdle...I might need some prayer on this one!
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