My blog has been silent for some
time now. But the first thing I want to do is
THANK YOU ALL
To
those of you that supported me financially, and everyone of you that
sent up a little prayer when my name came to mind, THANK YOU. To
those of you who sent me encouraging messages or just posted on my
Facebook page, THANK YOU. You were the engine behind my wheels, the
movement behind my feet, the… umm… you catch my drift. Your
encouragement and support meant the world to me and your prayers made
a difference. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
Now I am home, internet is just
down the street at Starbucks, I have air-conditioning, ice cream in
the freezer, my family going about their lives in the same house as I
am, and nobody staring at me like a freak show when I walk down the
street. And sometimes, I feel more like a foreigner than I did when
I was in a third world country. Don’t worry, I adapted to flushing
toilets and warm showers just fine, I even remembered how to drive,
it’s more of the realization that I have changed.
God
did a work in my heart in the 11 months I was gone. When people ask
me what God did this year, I tell them that he turned my world upside
down, broke me and put me back together (though not neccesarily in
that order). He taught me community, he taught me communication, he
taught me relationship. He showed me that without him, I can do
nothing, but with him I can do everything. Who I am and how I see
myself has changed. I am no longer an artist, a older sister or a
good student, I no longer have titles; instead I am now a daughter of
the King, a voice, filled with the fire of the Spirit and free. I am
FREE.
And
yet, inspite of all I have learned, I still have much to grow… Go
figure, right? So for that reason, I applied and was accepted for a
six month apprenticeship in Gainesville, GA with AIM, Adventures in
Missions. I will be working in one of the several departments of
this ministry, serving in the office, but the purpose of the
apprenticeship is really much bigger. To give you an idea, AIM
advertises the apprenticeship as such:
“The
6-month Apprenticeship will include participation in the leadership
development and discipleship with AIM leadership. Michael Hindes and
other guests will come to teach, challenge and disciple. Life
skills, ministry development and solid Biblical teaching all will get
incorporated into your time. Community is a norm to who we are so
come ready to engage.
It
will be a season of exploring, but also a season of discipleship,
discovering your ‘tribe’, asking hard questions and living a life led
by the Spirit. It’s not a landing zone; it’s an investment into
you and your future. “
Apprenticeship
Write-up
After
much prayer, I’m taking initiative and moving forward in a step of
faith. I believe this apprenticeship will establish me much more
strongly in the things I have learned this year and in how I have
grown. I love the community of AIM, and as well as seeing three of
my squadmates start in long-term staff positions in Gainesville, I’m
very excited to be going through the apprenticeship along with
another of my squadmates, Alexandra Squyres.
All
of this leads to the next subject: FUNDRAISING! The apprenticeship
is support-raised, so I will be raising $10,000 in order to
participate in the program. $1,000 will go towards the program
itself, the remainder will be my salary so that I can pay for food
and living expenses. So again, I am asking for money. I’m asking
that you join in this experience with me, allowing me to serve with a
ministry that has impacted my life and the lives of thousands of
people, both in the US and around the world. Through the
apprenticeship, I will be able to come in contact with and minister
to those young adults who are preparing to head out on their own
World Race, as well as those heading out into other short term
missions trips.
I
really don’t know what I’m doing. I don’t know what the Lord’s plans
for me are, I don’t know where I’m going or what I’m supposed to do
with the rest of my life. All that I know is I need Jesus. I NEED
JESUS.
