Hey everyone, my name is Alyson Bettencourt and I am 18 years old. I currently spend all of my time on either homework, fundraising, or serving The Lord in any way possible. I am very active in the student ministry at my church and love to help out every chance that I get.
I was born in Nebraska and I lived there until I was 7, when I moved to Temple, Texas. I lived between Temple, and Rogers, Texas until I was 12. I then moved here to Keller Texas, and I have enjoyed it! My parents are Joe and Tammy Bettencourt. They are great examples to me and have really helped in my walk with God. I couldn’t ask for better, and more supportive, parents. I have two sisters, and two brothers. Tiff (30), Abby (20), Tehl (27), and Joey (16) are very strong men and women and have gone through a ton. despite the fact that they always have a ton to worry about in their lives, I do know that all of them have and always will be their for me. I’m truly blessed with a great family.
Now to my testimony… I grew up in a Christian home and so I didn’t really look into it at all, I just saw it as a religion. When I entered into High School I felt lonely and friendless. Sophomore year I was invited into a bible study and was so dedicated to it. I started reading scripture and realized that being a Christian is not just a religion… its a relationship! That summer 2015 I went on a mission trip to San Antonio and served and it changed my heart. I met one of my best friends still today, Shelby McClellan, we helped each other stay accountable accountable with our relationships with God. I made a decision that summer that I would stop living for myself. I still struggle with pride sometimes, but I pray about that everyday. So in January 2016, I went through a really rough patch and I felt as if I hit rock bottom. It was then that I came to the point of dying to myself so I can live for God. I learned that through him was the only way to find true happiness and contentment.
So summer mission trip 2016 I went with my youth ministry to San Antonio to partner and serve with a ministry called Agora. We went and helped out at Church Under the Bridge, and Life restored which are both churches for street people. While at Life Restored the preacher was talking to us about a life in missions. He reassured us that it isn’t for everyone, and you can still serve without full time ministry. He then called us up on to the front if we were being called by God into a life of ministry. everyone was prayed over and God’s presence in the room that day was overwhelming and I’d never felt so in love with God in my life. Over the next couple months, after we got back, I was praying and asking God to show me the next step in His plan for me. I found out one day at Starbucks when I was talking with two very good friends. One of them mentioned the World race–Gap Year, and explained it to me. One of the men in Starbucks at that time had gone on the World Race. He called his wife and she told me about it. I looked online at it when I got home and the beginning of applications and release of routes was just a couple weeks away. God has really been leading me through His will and in miraculous ways.
Although money would be wonderful, prayers are just as important to make this thing happen. I would love for any of you reading this to pray for the following things:
1.) Strength in my upcoming year.
2.) Finances for the trip to supply.
3.) PLEASE pray that I can touch people’s lives and show them the love of God through the stress that I will be in.
Thank you all very much!:)
