Today, I am gathering up the last of my things, stuffing the last flip flop into my pack, and saying my goodbyes. Tomorrow morning, (at 6 am, no less) my plane takes off and my journey begins!
I am setting off to do a five-and-a-half-month Compassion-focused Discipleship Training School (Compassion DTS) with Youth With a Mission (YWAM) in Newcastle, Australia. This will involve three months of intensive ministry training at the YWAM base in Newcastle, followed by a ten-week outreach phase: Two weeks in Toowoomba, Australia and eight weeks Cambodia, Then, there will be one follow-up week back in Newcastle. The training I will receive is mission/compassion focused, so I will not only be given the tools to be an effective missionary, but I will also be equipped to reach the oppressed and the poor in ways that are truly valuable.
I'm really looking forward to this once-in-a-lifetime chance to devote myself to the things that I have always felt called to do. Everything has fallen into place in such a way that I KNOW that this is exactly what I am meant to be doing at this time in my life, and I can't wait to get started! I'll be posting all of my news and updates here, so stay tuned.
Obviously, going away for six months is no little thing, so I will need lots and lots of prayer. I also want to thank each of you for your parts in making me who I am today. Without the support that you have all given me already, I would not have the courage to step out in faith like this at all. I will keep all of you in my own thoughts and prayers, and I will to make you proud.
Adieu, Montreal!
Love, Nat
