Hello friends!
If you’re seeing this, it means you are subscribed to my blog from the World Race. I’m assuming most of you followed along my race and that many of you supported me. Whether through prayer or financially, both were equally necessary in supporting the crazy journey what was my gap year. I am forever grateful for that, because those months were some of the most life-changing months of my life, thank you Jesus!
This blog, however, will be a little different. I’m writing to you to share with you my next ministry opportunity and to ask if you would support me again.
This summer I will be a part of the leadership development Internship Program
with Surfing the Nations in Oahu, Hawaii!
What is Surfing the Nations?
Surfing The Nations is a 501(c)3 non-profit, humanitarian organization committed to impacting communities through the sport of surfing and selfless service by meeting needs and changing lives. STN has been serving Hawaii and internationally since 1997. Their volunteer service programs are designed to serve communities both locally and globally through humanitarian services such as youth mentoring programs, food distributions, community clean-ups, and building relationships with care. You can learn more about the organization and the Hawaii base here: https://stn.global/hawaii/
What will this look like?
These three months will be intense character training based on biblical principles integrated with discipleship and servant leadership. Outside of the classroom, I will be equipped to grow as a leader through serving the poor in the Feeding The Hungry program, swim and surf training, mentoring at-risk youth, and participating in various weekly service projects all geared to serve the community.
How did I get to this internship?
This all started when the Lord placed two desires on my heart for this summer: surfing and serving. I had been looking at opportunities for this summer for a while, but minutes after I decided these aspects are what I wanted to pursue, Surfing the Nations came up on my google search. Upon realizing this checked all the boxes I was looking for, I started to pray into this decision in October. I prayed for months while taking notes of all the tiny details and ways the Lord was specifically showing me his presence in this decision. All these details would take many more paragraphs to explain, but after answered prayers, dreams, whispers, changed hearts to support this decision, and coincidences too sweet to not be the Holy Spirit, it was more than enough to push me to apply for the internship.
Early in February, I applied to this internship and got accepted a few weeks ago. I prayed and waited for a big flashing “YES!” from the Lord, but instead got a sweeter response. He allowed me to choose what I wanted and promised he would walk with me no matter the decision. After months of prayer over this decision, the Lord gave me more than enough in my spirit to show me His presence and confirmation over STN, but even still, I kept asking for something bigger, something more tangible to confirm this choice. I felt like Gideon in Judges 6, where the Lord kept speaking to him and guiding him, but Gideon needed to keep confirming that it was the Lord. The Lord was patient with him and was kind enough to answer again and again. Then He brought me to Galatians 3:1-9 and kindly convicted me: why has what He has given me in Spirit not been enough for me to trust Him? Life with Him is a life in the Spirit, not in the Flesh. Would I trust His Spirit, and trust He would provide for me along the way? So here I am taking a step of faith. I am beyond excited for this opportunity, and I am so grateful that the Lord uses our dreams for His good.
Would you support me?
Saying yes to this internship has been a step of faith in believing that the Lord will provide the funds for me. This internship does cost to go. I will need $5,000 to cover the following:
- Three months furnished housing
- Transportation to all scheduled events, outreaches, surf training, airport pick up and drop off, etc.
- Guest speakers
- Graduation ceremony
- Curriculum
- Global outreach trip (airfare, housing, some meals)
- This outreach trip will be one month out of the three-month internship. The goal is to be abroad internationally for the month, however COVID may affect those travel plans.
If you would like to help me leading up to and during my internship, I ask that you would please consider the following ways you can do so.
I cannot support you financially, but how can I partner with you in prayer?
The first and most powerful way to support me this summer will be in prayer. Praying protection physically and spiritually over STN’s staff and interns. Praying for the growth of the interns and for a summer of fruitful labor. For unified community and sweet relationships. For a spirit of learning and giving greater than one of boasting and gaining. For hearts and hands open to however and wherever the Lord wills.
I would like to support you financially; how can I do that?
Thank you so much for your generosity! No matter the amount, every dollar makes a difference in moving me closer to my fundraising goal.
While I have no donation link, the easiest way to donate to me would be to Venmo me @carolineknudsen or through PayPal: paypal.me/caroknud
An alternative option is mailing me a check: 4620 Adams Court, Lilburn, GA 30047
Thank you for reading, praying, and investing in my next opportunity!
Much love,
Caroline
