As I stare at this blank screen trying to find where to start, there's so much on my heart I could say. I could talk about how difficult yet beautifully incredible this year has been for me. I could talk about the depression I went through, the anxiety attacks I've faced, or about how my life was completely changed for the best when I went to 21 Project with Circuit Riders in Kona, HI this summer. I think what I really want to say, is that God is faithful. Period. He's Good, He's kind, and just because we can't see the sun, doesn't mean it's not shining. The clouds don't determine the faithfulness of the sun. God is good even when life is bad. God truly has never left me, and never will. In the middle of the night when I'm woke by anxiety, I ask God to be near me, and immediately feel His presence right there with me. This year alone I've been practically homeless, nearly starved more than once, yet each time, God provides just in time. In order to attend 21 Project in Hawaii, I couch surfed for 6 weeks straight proceeding my flight out to save money instead of paying rent. I ate mainly at work where I was allowed to have one free acai bowl a shift, and worked 3 jobs in order to pay for all the expenses of the 21 Project school, housing, flight, etc. I regret nothing. It was by far one of the best decisions I've made. Being in Kona, HI at the YWAM base for the 21 Project School re-opened my mind to a desire I've had since I was 13 years old. That is, to attend a Discipleship Training School with YWAM. Which is a 3 month lecture phase on the base in Hawaii, learning and being equipped to go into the nations to do ministry in the hard and dark places. Following the 3 month lecture phase on base is a 3 month outreach phase in another country(s). With health and fitness having always been one of my main passions and pursuits, I've always wished there were a way missions and fitness could work together. While I was in 21 Project, I heard about something called "Respect The Corners" or "RTC". RTC is a functional fitness Discipleship Training School track specifically with this YWAM base in Kona, HI. They teach both the proper form in functional fitness, how to be a coach meanwhile applying spiritual principles and also sitting in the spiritual equipping lectures. RTC is aiming to train, teach and launch 1,000 coaches into nations across the earth. Using functional fitness as a common denominator in different cultures, and an avenue to go into more closed countries since we are presented as "fitness instructors" rather than "missionaries". RTC has discovered how to incorporate functional fitness and doing missions, telling people about the love and pursuit of God in a new way! In fact, they not only teach fitness, but they use it to go to physically difficult places to get to like the Himalayan mountains! Each year a few teams are sent to the Himalayan mountains to trek and bring Bible's to the people of Nepal in small villages that can't be reached any other way but by foot. (I hope to be apart of one of the teams that treks in Nepal! As well as one of the 1,000 coaches that is sent out to another nation!). I decided to come back to my parents house here in East Tennessee until the school begins in January, to be home for the holidays, my best friend's wedding and so i can hopefully raise the funds needed in order to do the RTC program. Working and saving every penny to put toward the tuition, selling my items, selling stickers I created that say "Say Yes" with the concept of saying Yes to wherever and whatever God is leading you to do in life, both glamourous and not glamourous. Would you prayerfully consider giving a one-time gift to my DTS? Whether it be $5,$15,$25,$50, etc -every dollar given is so appreciated! (I'm still in need of about $2,500 by Jan 4th for the lecture phase). I've learned with fundraising that often people think "oh someone else will give" or "she'll get it even without my help" but that's the point of community, we all need each other, and we all can play a part that matters. Every small bit counts and helps! Regardless if you're able to give or not, I pray you're blessed to be a blessing and that you see God's love in new ways everyday!
Thanks for reading!
To give, paste this link in your URL:
youcaring.com/karissaywam
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