First off, I had this AWESOME opportunity to share my story at a local 'Relay For Life.' I'm pretty sure that blessed and encouraged me the most out of anyone there. I got to stand there, with some of my closest friends standing next to me and sitting behind me, and talk about how I am a survivor through the grace of God. Then, I was able to do a survivor lap with my closest and dearest friends surrounding me. It brought me to tears to recall how they had all walked through this battle with me, and were still continuing to walk (literally and figuratively) with me.
Also, I am excited to say that I have answered the call for the passion the Lord gave me a while ago; to reach the lost people of the world, and to travel to the unreached people groups of the world and tell them about our wonderful savior! So, with that being said, I will be leaving this September to go to a missions school and outreach program with YWAM. (Youth With A Mission)
So, on September 14th I will be leaving for Pittsburgh Pennsylvania for a 12-week "Discipleship Training School" where we will be trained from leaders all over the world. We will cover topics like 'God's nature and Character', 'Spiritual Warfare', and 'Effective Evangelism and Prayer'. During this time, we will also be serving the Lord through local ministries in Pittsburgh, preparing for our time on the mission field. The remaining two-months is when I get to go overseas and put the knowledge and skills I have gained into action; to reach the nations.
As you might have noticed, I didn’t add my outreach location. During my time in the training school, staff and students commit to seek the Lord’s heart through prayer to determine where to go. I am fully trusting the Lord to lead me to the right nation to do my outreach phase. Past outreach teams have gone to Mexico, Brazil, Ghana, Israel, Bulgaria, Mongolia, China, India, Thailand and many other nations. So I am very excited to see where the Lord leads me.
In order for me to participate in this training and outreach I will need roughly $7,000. This budget includes, my lodging both in country and out of country. My airfare and traveling expenses to and from my outreach location, and to the various ministries in Pittsburgh. But, I fully believe that the LORD will provide all of my needs according to His riches. (Philippians 4:19)
I also am in desperate need of prayer. This opportunity was founded in prayer and I will be needing it during my time on the mission field.
Prayer points:
-My health, and stamina
-The Lord providing funds
-Safety traveling to Pittsburgh and then to my outreach nation
-Unity with my entire team
I am nervous, but very excited to see how the Lord uses the story He has given me, the pain He has allowed me to walk through, with him, for HIS glory. My biggest prayer has been and continues to be that the Lord is seen and glorified through my journey, especially in the past year.
Thank you all for walking this crazy, painful, but so beautiful journey with me.
