Dearest Family, and Favorite Friends, I returned home from Mexico to the Great Lakes and the beloved Mitten in August 2015, making this month exactly two years of being home. I’ve spent the past two years working, attending Crossroads Bible Church, playing volleyball and completing my Associate’s degree at GRCC. I have spent the summer thoughtfully considering different options in literally any and every direction—internships, universities, missions programs, nannying programs, language programs, the list goes on. I have goals of getting a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish, with minors in anthropology and linguistics, for playing volleyball, for starting a retreat center, for recording an album, and for starting a business, but as I’ve spent time praying and waiting for direction throughout the summer, God has slowly revealed to me what the next thing is. So this September, I’m heading out to Lakeside, Montana for a School of Biblical Studies. This was a hard decision for me to make, as it is a YWAM school, and seemingly, it has taken all of the last two years and not a day less to recuperate from the first time I went to YWAM. To go back into YWAM is a confusing action to take and one that doesn’t seems to be part of my plan, but what’s new, right? In the most recent months, God has been very clear with me that training—for where we are going, as a church, as a nation, and in my relationship with Him—is necessary. He has affirmed in various manners that although this YWAM thing makes no sense to me right now, He sees the future, and He knows that I am going to need what will come of this Bible school in order to move into leadership in the next season. It is a time of a equipping. This I know is true; all things that last are built on a solid foundation. I am to be a voice calling out, a siren, a boat rocker, an agent of change, and a leader of this generation. The School of Biblical Studies (SBS) is an intense nine month program of inductive Bible study, averaging 45 hours a week of homework, and then some when you include class lectures. By the end of nine months, I will have read the Bible five times through, and will have created my own sort of commentary for each and every book. There is a specific process of study that I’ll be following including researching Hebrew culture, and studying the historical and literary context. During this time, I’ll be living on the YWAM base in Lakeside, and though there will not be a specific outreach during these nine months, I will be serving the base with chores, meal prep/clean up, leading worship, and so on. "You can't give them something unless you have something to give. You can't show them the love of God unless you first have experienced the love of God, so you can't tell them who God is and what He's done unless you first know that. The Bible shows us who Jesus is, shows us what He's done, shows us what the Gospel is, and shows us who WE ARE in Christ. " More than that, I am excited to know HIM. Knowing God for who He really is revolutionizes the way that I speak and understand, the way I think, the way I relate to others, the way I lead worship, and the way that I live.
This Bible school is going to cost 9,000 dollars for tuition and room and board. Including travel to and from with a return home over Christmas, and the cost of living for things like toothpaste and gas, when all things are added up, the total cost is going to be something closer to 12,000 dollars. I know right? Gulp. But here’s the deal. Most of you, if not all of you, have been personal witnesses to the way that God has provided before. Remember Israel? $2,000 in 2 days?! I mean, come on!! These testimonies demonstrate God’s faithfulness, but they also strongly reflect the strength of the community that surrounds me. You have all been so willing to lend a hand and also so faithful in raising me up. As the saying goes, “It takes a village!”. I thank you for that. Because God’s word does not go out and come back unfulfilled, it is out of obedience to what He’s spoken to me that I am appealing to you for your support and financial help. My deadline for the first 4,000 dollars is September 18th, 2017, and it would honor me if you would consider partnering with me once again. I’d love even to know that there are people who believe in what I’m doing, and who are praying, even if you can’t donate monetarily right now. The best way to stay updated and to donate is to visit my blog at http://pursuingkingdomculture.weebly.com/ Also, along with the PKC Facebook page, I have created a new PKC instagram account @pursuing_kingdom_culture where you will also find updates, encouragements, raffle prizes, and occasional free giveaways! This is with hopes to create more of a partnership between us, and to give you a window into my life and this next upcoming season of bible. Give a shout if you know that bible is GOOD STUFF and you want it IN YOUR LIFE! WOOHOO!!
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