Dear Family and Friends,
As a senior in high school, the time came to start exploring what college I’d be attending next fall. I went on a few college visits, received a million and one emails from universities, and watched my friends fall in love with their school choices, but I found myself reluctant to jump right into an academic environment right after graduation. A few of my friends who graduated last year decided to take a year off a serve with YWAM and other organizations, and I felt God tugging my heart the same direction. When I told my parents about wanting to take a gap year they were right on board. I’m pretty sure my mom was googling different organizations that offer a gap year before I was able to finish my sentence. That’s when we found Adventures In Missions.
We found about 50 other programs that offered a gap year, but Adventures In Missions’ program grabbed my attention right away. For nine months I’d be serving in three different countries teaching English in schools, speaking in various churches, and working in street evangelism with a team of people I’ve never met. All that sounded too good to pass up. The more my parents and I looked into it, the more God confirmed that this is the program I’ve been called to serve on. So I sat down at my computer and filled out an hour long application and submitted it. About two days later I received an email saying I’d been accepted and that in a few months I’d be on a plane to another country to serve a God much greater than I can imagine. That was probably one of the most exciting emails I’ve received; much more exciting than any of those “Aimee, we want you!” emails from every university ever. While traveling to impoverished countries with people that I don’t even know their names yet can sound terrifying, I have an overwhelming amount of peace about every aspect of it.
Next I was given a list of things to do in order to prepare for the journey of a lifetime. I was added to a Facebook group of all the people I’d be traveling with, I was told how to set up my blog (which you can follow along while I’m serving), told what supplies I was to bring (basically my body and a toothbrush), and ways to fundraise for my trip. Well creeping on everyone’s Facebook profiles was fun, I realized I have no idea how to blog, I began to understand I’d be carrying everything I own in my backpack for the duration of the year, and I saw just how much I am expected to raise for this trip. A total of $12,591. Let the car washes, bake sales, and t-shirt selling begin. I believe whole-heartedly that God has called me on this trip, and I also believe that He will meet the needs required to go on this trip. Fundraising is hard and asking for money can be awkward, but I’m asking that you not just support me, but the Lord’s work in the lives of people across the globe. Your donations and prayers can help spread the name of Jesus to people who need Him greatly. Acts 13:47 says “For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, “I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.” Help me bring this light to Thailand, South Africa, and Nicaragua starting in September. I’m beyond excited to see what the Big Man has in store for me.
With so much love and excitement,
Aimee
