Ten More Days

It's been a little while since I've last updated this blog, and now there are only ten days left until I fly away to start my Discipleship Training School in Kona, Hawaii!

I've gotten my flight ticket to leave on January 8th .  This will be the first time I fly alone so I'm a bit nervous about that...  correction, I'm really nervous.  I'll be flying from San Jose and then I have an hour layover in Maui, before I get to Kona as well.  Pray that everything goes smoothly and that my mind is at peace!

In other new, I have opened my very own Etsy shop to help raise money towards my YWAM fund.  I've only raised about $30 through it, but I've always wanted to open up a little business and showcase some of my work.  It's super cool that people actually want to buy my embroidered pins; I even got a buyer from Pennsylvania!  I should continue to run my shop while I'm in training school these next 3 months but I won't be able to continue during my outreach portion.  You can check out my shop here https://www.etsy.com/shop/claudiasanborn And shoutout to my Abuela for first introducing me to embroidery by giving me a little beginners kit <3

Thanks again to everyone who has been supporting me through prayers and donations!  Thus far together we have raised a total of $2,594.55, which is about a fourth of my total needed funds!  It's such a blessing to know so many people are supporting me.  I'm flying away thinking of all of you and what our awesome God may have in store for this journey.  Thanks.

With only ten days until I leave I just want to say thanks again, keep me in your prayers, and I'm going to miss everyone so much! God bless <3

Lecture Funds: 2594.55 / 4235.00
Outreach Funds: 0 / 4000-6000
Total Funded: 2594.55

The link to the school I'm going to, if you want to check it out!

http://www.uofnkona.edu/training/engage-dts-2/

Lots of Updates and Lots of Thanks!

Let the countdown continue! Only 33 days until this adventure begins!

I want to say thanks again to everyone who has donated to support me thus far.  Every donation gets me even closer to my goal!  It's so cool to know that people want to help me out, family, friends, and even some people I don't know well are supporting me.  It's beautiful to see God working through the generosity of people.  Thank you all so much for the support. 

I also want to say thanks to my high school, University Preparatory Academy.  The staff, teachers, and students, always looked out for me and what was best for me, even after I graduated.  It was my counselor, Ms. Trotch who first suggested that I go on a long term mission trip, and without her guidance and encouragement, I may never had made this decision.  Before I graduated, UPA gave me a scholarship, all of which is going towards this trip.  My school has helped me out so much, and I couldn't be more blessed to have gone there.

Combining the donations and the scholarship my fund has reached its first goal of $1000! Quadruple digits! It is currently at exactly $1242.12 but it's got a ways to go!

In other news, I've gotten my passport.  Reality check Claudia, you're leaving the United States...

I also talked to a staffer from my school, Engage DTS, and talking to her was such a blessing.  It got me so much more pumped to serve the Lord and to just grow with Him.  I honestly can't wait at this point!  33 more days until arrival day!  What!?!?

I ask that you to continue to pray for and support me.  Thanks to everyone who already has, it means a lot <3

Lecture Funds: 1242.12 / 4235.00
Outreach Funds: 0 / 4000-6000

Total Funded: 1242.12

The link to the school I'm going to, if you want to check it out!
http://www.uofnkona.edu/training/engage-dts-2/

Here we go!

This past year I wondered just what exactly God had in store for me. I juggled the possibilities of going to a four-year university as my peers did, applied to my favorite Christian schools, and despite being accepted to all of them, it just didn't work out for me.  Looking back, now I know it didn't work out because I'm not like my peers.  I need something different. I need to serve the Lord and I ache to learn more about Him and how I play a part in His plan.   I was recently accepted by Youth With a Mission to University of the Nations, and as a result I will be moving away to start my Discipleship Training School (DTS) in Kona, Hawaii, and to serve and share the love of God with His people. I know YWAM is where I'm meant to be and I couldn't be more excited!

My training school, Engage DTS, seeks to engage with the fullness of God, engage with what I was created for, engage in a discipleship community of faith, and to engage with God's heart for the world.  During this program, I will spend the first 3 months training and preparing for the last 3 months where I take a leap of faith into the unknown to serve God's people in another country.  It will be an opportunity to let God use me, to put into practice what I learned during training, and to show the love of God to others.  It will be challenging, but I know He will use it to shape and transform me!

I hope to be able to raise a majority of the funds needed by the time I arrive in January.  The lecture portion is $4325 which covers training, room, and board for the first 3 months.  Depending where God sends me, the outreach portion will cost between $4,000-6,000.  It is a lot of money, but God is faithful and always provides.

Please partner with me on my journey through prayers and support.  Pray for me and my Engage family, and pray that God will open up my heart and mind to everything new and beautiful He has to show me.  You can support me by following this blog which I will periodically update throughout our journey.  You can support me financially by donating through the donate button on this blog.

If you have any questions please do contact me through Facebook or by commenting, because I would love to share more and hear from you.  I could not be more excited, scared, and blessed for this journey and I pray you are as well!

Blessings and love,

Claudia