WEEK ONE. 1/11 - 1/17 the nature and character of God

Hey everyone!

This first week has been super exciting and just enjoyable overall! (:

Autumn, Me, Jana on the way to the beach

Our speaker for this week was Derek Schoenhoff and he spoke on the nature and character of God.  The nature of God is his fundamental qualities, such as being omnipresent, all-knowing, things that we cannot attain.  But his characteristics are distinguishing traits that we can strive for, such as being loving, forgiving, uplifting, comforting, and a light to the world.

There was one point in which Derek was explaining how God wants to have a personal relationship with us.  He told us to close our eyes and imagine God asking to play with us, as a father would.  I started to imagine it but, I was feeling such strong emotions that I quickly pushed Him away.

everyone on base loves
the pizza my heart shirt

Later, Derek said "God is always there for us, but we are not always there for him." It hit me hard, but it encouraged me to encounter Jesus, the joy and peace that he has for me, in every moment.

Monday night was ministry night, a time we spent in the prayer room, just singing out praises to Him.  It was that night when He just filled me with true joy and happiness.  God was so faithful, and he set up everything so perfectly for me.   Maybe it sounds, cliché but he actually has a plan.  I'm so thankful to be learning and growing in Hawaii.  I've been blessed with wonderful friends here, and just a great environment to live in. 

twizzlers mustaches. no big deal (:

Tuesday we had family group, so everyone in our school, 47 students, got to share a little bit of their stories.  It was a good way to get to know a little bit more about everyone.  The staff shared their testimonies on Monday.  Hearing all their stories was great because each one was so different, and it helped the students relate to the staffers like, "Hey, that's kinda like my story..." or "I've felt that way too."  I dunno, it was just a nice thing to hear.  Shout out to the Engage staff.  I love them (:

Thursday and Friday we had our first WORK DUTY.  I got kitchen duty.  It's pretty fun, but so so so hot in the kitchen.  I enjoy serving people the most, but a lot of them don't speak English so it can be a little challenging at times... at least we can all communicate through smiles!

On Friday Derek talked about how importance forgiveness is to our hearts.  How forgiveness results in change and action.  We did this one exercise where we wrote down all the names of people who we felt that we needed to forgive.  And I found that the hardest person to forgive was myself.  In every situation where I needed to forgive someone, I was at fault to.  We went down to a bonfire and threw our papers into the fire.  I have done this kind of exercise many times before, but this time Bailey, a friend from my DTS, said that the hardest part for her was forgiving herself too, and she continued "but I don't need to forgive myself, because Jesus already has."  I let Jesus forgive me.  Shout out to Jesus.  Filling me with joy 24/7 <3

I feel like God has been giving me a word for every week, and this first week, I believe he gave me the word faithfulness.  In everything that he has done, he has showed me his faithfulness.  I didn't know that I was supposed to go to UofN, but I'm here now and it feels so right.  He honestly knows what's best for me, it's so cool.

I don't know exactly why I'm at UofN either, but I know I want to fall in love with my Father.  I'm excited to see what He has in store for our journey <3



sunset on the way to family time

Thanks again to everyone who's been supporting me!  I got to come to Kona completely funded for my lecture portion, thanks to all of the support.  As for outreach, I still need my funds.  My first deposit of $2,500 is due on Friday the 6th of February.  I could really use anyone's help if they have it in their heart to support me.

Also, feel free to check out my Etsy shop!   https://www.etsy.com/shop/claudiasanborn (:

For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.  Ephesians 2:10

Lecture Funds: 4235.00 /4235.00 !!!
Outreach Funds: 100 / 4000-6000
Total Funded: $4335.00

I'm actually at UofN?!

Hello All!

These first days have been wild and crazy!  I hope to share a little bit, but I know my words won't fully portray how blessed I am to be here and how amazing the atmosphere is here with YWAM. 

I arrived to Kona on the 8th, after a good 6 hours a flying.  It was hard to be on the plane, the whole time I was flying I couldn't stop thinking "what am I doing and what did I just get myself into?"  I am going to be away from everyone I know, alone, with no one but Jesus.  Right when I was walking to the baggage claim I heard my cousins yell "Claudia!" and I immediately started crying.  Of course, my family was there waiting for me.  I was never going to be alone, I had nothing to worry about (:

After that, we hopped on a bus with other YWAMers.  The bus took us to the University of the Nations (UofN) Campus and we had a tour guide tell us about the city while on the bus.



Autumn and I looking at the sunset 

Once I settled in my cousins took me around campus to do some exploring.  We visited the farm, I got to hold some bunnies, and later Gabriella gave me a quick tour of downtown Kona.  She explained to me how the missionaries first came to Hawaii and how nearly all of the people became Christians through God's word.

These first few days have taught me so much about this culture and history of Hawaii.  There's so much of God everywhere in the culture and in the city; it's beautiful and it makes Kona such an amazing place to grow in Him.

On Friday, the 9th, we got to start off being welcomed by the people of Hawaii.  In Hawaiian culture it is customary for the guests to bring gifts to the host, so each school gave gifts to the UofN and we were welcomed by the Island Breeze group with worship songs and traditional dances.




Our classroom is filled with artsy and hipster decorations.

Later, we got together with our school, Engage DTS, got to meet our staff and praise Jesus as an Engage family.  I got my first assignment (a book report!) and a journal with questions for guidance.  I also got to know some of the people in my school and made lots of new friends.  I wasn't too worried about making friends when coming to school, but I was concerned about making a "best friend."  My introverted personality makes me more comfortable with a single individual, so I prayed a lot for a friend. God blessed me with one on my second day.  Her name is Autumn.  She's great and I love her lots.  God is so faithful. <3


Sena, Autumn, and I (right to left)

On Saturday, we had the day off so we got to sleep in a bit.  Then we went on a scavenger hunt as a way to get to know the town better.  For dinner we had a barbeque at the beach, the sunset was beautiful. And to top it off we went to get shave ice at night.

I let Sunday be my day of rest and refection.  So much has happened and so much is yet to come.

I started school this week. I've already been learning lots and just taking every opportunity to encounter the Lord.  I should be sharing that soon (I'm just so busy so excuse my late posting)!

I pray all is well back home.  I love everyone and I miss you all already!

Also, I might be finding out my outreach location sooner than February?!!?  I've yet to raise money for that, but I'm not worried.  God is so good and faithful. Thanks again to everyone who is praying and supporting.  This journey is already so filled with the Lord.  I can't wait to share everything else that has happened! (:

To sum every thing up, God is faithful, trusting in Him is awesome and relieving, and I'm doing just great.

Claudia<3







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