YWAM missions trip to America

Hi, My names Courtney Davis, I'm 21 years old. I've been accepted into Youth with a mission, North cascades; Tentmakers, Music and Worship track in Lynden, Washington , U.S.A.

It runs from the 1st of July to the 31st of July 2018.

I have to raise $ 3165.74

• $500 USD = $717.74 NZD - For the second installment of the YWAM course. (RAISED ENOUGH FOR THIS)
• $2,200 NZD - For the return flights (RAISED ENOUGH FOR THIS)
• $248.00 NZD - Travel/Medical insurance (RAISED ENOUGH FOR THIS)
• $500.00 spending money

What is Tentmakers?

Tentmakers is an offshoot of Youth With A Mission. It's designed for people who can't spend 6 months away at a time- which is the usual for YWAM excursions. They've managed to make this course 1 month; still fitting in everything you would learn from the 6 month trip by accelerating how much time is spent of each topic before being sent out. For example instead of learning a topic every week; we'll be taught a new topic everyday. Having 1 and half weeks of training and 3 weeks of outreach in total.

Being from New Zealand and not knowing American states or cities , I researched and asked the YWAM helpline about Lynden, Washington the place where YWAM North Cascades is based. It's a small town with the most churches Per Capita in America. It also has a huge homeless community outside of it - which is most likely why for my specific trip (outreach to places outside of Lynden) they want to do something with that fact and location. It's also safe to get trained up in and they have really good connections with the other churches in this town.

My story:

I sing on the worship band at church and had been wondering how God could use me.

What was I supposed to do?

What was his purpose for this part of my life?

Yes I could sing but what could he purpose that for?

I left that to the back of my mind and then I stumbled across a facebook ad called Tentmakers where I watched a 30 second video. The video basically asked 1 question that struck me “ how can God use my giftings and talents for his purpose”

Huh. the answer to the question I kept asking.

There wasn't alot of information on the site but I just signed up.

I told some people about it while Tentmakers processed my application form.

A couple people said " If you feel like God wants you to do it you should do it."

YWAM sent me back an email saying I’d got accepted and then I prayed about it.

I asked God for clarification of whether or not this was something he wanted me to do. Not very long after, I was hit with this very deep feeling that this was something I really wanted to do for God. I took that as God saying yes.

So knowing nothing about missions trips, having a crazy fundraising idea and 3-4 months to set everything up I started on this crazy awkward journey to get to America.

Some links to find out some more information about Tentmakers:

https://tentmakers.net/

http://ywamnorthcascades.com/july-tentmakers/

Because of the amount I ended up raising offline I only need donations for spending money!!!!!!!!