Save Change to Help Change

Update on life needs to happen first before I can get into how we can all "Save Change to Help Change."  I had a very nice job as a receptionist at a local car dealership.  Since I am also blessed with being able to live at home and share a car with my mom, my monthly bills are minimal.  This was nice because I would have been able to save a lot of my income for the trip and would have been able to raise a lot of money by myself.  However, with the economy still not being amazing, and working at a luxury car dealership, life and God had other plans for me.  I lost my job and started to look immediately for a new job.

To be perfectly honest I was scared about how I would be able to raise enough money for this trip.  I also am very self motivated and like to think I am self provided for, as far as being able to take care of myself and not having to rely on others for too much.  I have a hard enough time taking a compliment (in all seriousness I have a really hard time at a simple "your hair looks cute") let alone anything else from people.  So the idea that people would be willing to bless my life and give their money to me to help me on this trip is an amazing thought to me and the sacrifice means a lot to me.  But I was comfortable with the idea that I would be able to raise about half of what I needed on my own so I wouldn't have to rely on people as much.

With losing my job I went into panic mode because that meant that I would have to rely on people giving so much more than I did before.  I was stressed that I wouldn't get enough support.  I was worried because it makes me uncomfortable that I have to rely on someone else and I can't even do it for myself.  I was scared cause this trip is what I wanted so much more than almost anything, and the thought of not being able to go on the trip made me very depressed and scared.  But God pulled another fast one and gave me comfort knowing that if I have gotten this far in the process to go, He wouldn't let me down now. 

He provided me with an opportunity to work with the childcare ministry at my church and although it isn't what I was making before, it was a job with awesome people, awesome opportunity to reach a child's life and it provides income. 

NOW HOW YOU CAN HELP ME HELP THE WORLD:
So as mentioned before this trip costs money.  I wish I could go to the store get whatever I need, jump on a flight and start school all for free, but unfortunately the world doesn't work that way anymore (or ever).  So I need to raise money.  I know times are hard (hence I lost my really nice job and now need more help than I thought I needed) and giving can be hard to do.  I am a college student and have lived in a dorm with literally pennies to my name and I know how hard it can be TO give to someone.  The intention to help someone might be there but financially that can be hard to do.  SO THAT'S WHEN I THOUGHT OF CHANGE.

Most of us have purses, backpacks, and cars full of loose change.  And usually that change will sit at the bottom of a bag or on the floor of the car until we get so sick of it we throw it out or let the vacuum or washer eat it up.  BUT I want to change that (no pun intended).  I want anyone who is able to, to intentionally start saving all their change.  Every last penny, dime, nickle, and quarter you get.  I want you to save that and when time comes that I need to pay for my school for you to donate that money to me!  Now saving change might now sound like a way to raise thousands of dollars but with a large number of people doing it, the end results could (and will) be amazing!

A little change goes a long way.  The work that I will be doing may not seem like much.  Cleaning a street in Europe or playing with a child in Africa* may not seem like a big deal but it can change a persons life forever.  And the little change you will be giving me WILL change my life forever because you are supporting me with a life dream of mine. 

I have made plastic cups that you can use to keep in your car or on a desk that you can keep your change in.  I am more than willing to deliver them (as long as you are in Las Vegas).  I have been collecting my own change since I started my application for this school and I hope that you will join me in collecting the change. 

My ultimate goal with this is that you keep it going.  Don't let it stop with me.  Thousands are going on missions or living a missional lifestyle everyday and need financial support.  I hope that once I am gone and have my full amount that you will continue to save your change and send it someone who is helping change the world**.

Again thanks for the support!  Blessings, love, peace, and grace be to you!!!





*I do not know exactly what I will be doing during my outreach phase of what specific countries I will be in this was just a general picture I am trying to paint to get a point across!

**I am not saying you are not changing the world right where you are.  Cause living a missional lifestyle DOES NOT MEAN YOU HAVE TO LEAVE YOUR CITY OR COUNTRY.  But people who do get called to other countries to do God's calling usually live off the support from people who are back at home having a "normal job".  You can be a missionary wherever you are and whatever you do!

Outreach

So from what I have known from people who have gone on a DTS in the past have never really known where they were going for their Outreach phase of the school. 

Hold on let me rewind.  A DTS is broken into two different phases: lecture and outreach.  During the lecture phase (which is three months) is at the base that you were accepted to.  In my case that would be Perth.  During that time you take classes, read books, listen to guest speakers, write a paper, and grow as a team.  You also so outreaches with the local community.  Then there's the outreach phase.  This time is usually planned a head of time but where specifically can change.  If the team as a whole feel like it's being called to a certain place than we will go there.   But the school usually has some idea of where they want us to go before we arrive.

I got an amazing email from the lady that will be leading my outreach in July and she said that right now she and the staff are planning for us to go to another part of Australia as well as some place in Europe.  She is also planning on going to either Africa or Asia.  While these seem like very general places right now it gives you (and me) an idea of where I will be next year!

This is very exciting news for me!  I have a more specific place that I am able to pray for.  I am able to have some idea of where I will be.  And it gives my mom reassurance of where I will be so she doesn't have to worry! Of course when I know the exact places of where I will be I will let you know immediately!

YWAM Perth

I have been wanting to go on a DTS for two years now.  I always stopped myself because I felt that I needed to finish school before I could do this program.  I guess I always thought that if I went that I would never finish school.  But after an amazing weekend visiting a friend up in Northern California I decided that this is really where God was calling me to go and the fear of not finishing school would just have to wait.

I was VERY excited when I got the acceptance email for the program.  It is far away but still it never hurts to be prepared!!!!  Along with getting emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually ready I am getting financially ready for this trip.  My trip is going to cost around $11,000 to go.  This may seem like a lot but this includes planes tickets to and from the school.  My class fees.  The cost for the outreach phase of my program.  Room and board.  Food.  Transportation.  My student Visa that I need while I am there.  And probably a list of other things that I cannot even begin to think of at this moment.

I will be heading to Perth, Australia at the end of June or the very beginning of July.  My school starts on July 3rd.  I will be doing three months of training and learning at the school and then for the next three months I will be traveling around the world doing outreaches in different communities.  I will then return back to Perth to "graduate" (if I ever went to seminary the time I spent in YWAM would transfer as credits).  I will then head home.  I am planning on flying in and out of LAX because flights are cheaper there.  And I want to spend my last days in the states with family.  Also upon coming home so close to Christmas (school gets out on December 17 so I would be home around the 20h) I would want to time adjust and spend time with my family for the Christmas holiday.

I am super excited about this opportunity and will need tons of help in preparing for this trip.  Although this trip costs a lot of money it will also be very Spiritually, physically, emotionally, and mentally draining at times for me.  I am excited to go through the next months preparing and getting ready for this awesome opportunity that God has given me!

I hope to have your support as I prepare and head out on this trip!

Much love, peace, and blessings to you all!