The story behind how the Lord brought me to YWAM in New Zealand is truly a rollercoaster, but a beautiful rollercoaster at that . The inspiration to go to New Zealand originated during my Junior year of High School when my art class decided we wanted to create an art piece illustrating our school's theme verse for the year: John 17:17 "Thy word is truth." Our vision ended up expanding into a full-fledged triptych mural art piece displaying the Gospel (see below). We knew the Lord must have had big plans for our art so we began praying about how He wanted us to use it. God provided in the form of Tony Bracefield, a pastor from Auckland, NZ who became very interested in our mural when our art teacher, Belinda Youngblood, shared it with him. In fact he was so excited about it that he offered to take it back with him to New Zealand to be displayed in one of the new schools that was in desperate need of artistic exposure. So that's exactly what he did. Ever since then my heart has been set on going to New Zealand myself.
Starting my senior year I was uncertain where the Lord was leading me. I knew I wanted to go to college I just wasn't sure if it was supposed to happen right after I graduated High School. When my mom strongly encouraged me to not completely eliminate college from the picture (she wasn't completely convinced by this whole GAP year thing (; ) I decided I would pursue colleges until I felt a stronger calling from the Lord regarding a GAP year decision. I then proceeded to apply to five different schools: Auburn University, Samford University, Covenant College, Belhaven University and Berry College.
The fact that all of these were schools that I could see myself at put me in an even tougher position. God providentially closed doors that I really thought he was calling me to go through so he could show me he had better plans. The same day that the last door closed was when God pointed me to Youth With A Mission's Discipleship Training Schools. Never have I ever felt more sure about something that God wanted me to do. So I did it and watched as the Lord provided time after time.
I got to work at Camp Briarwood through Special Connections (a program that works with children with special needs). It proved to be one of the best times I've ever had and has even inspired me to consider following a major focused on Special Education and/or Art Therapy.
God does work in funny ways doesn't he?
God furthermore provided a time and place for me to work at one of the local Chick-fil-A's in Birmingham. The people that I worked with became some of my best friends. Whether it was going to the pumpkin patch, the fair or painting artwork for a fellow employee, the memories will last a lifetime.
While I was waiting to leave for my DTS in New Zealand, the Lord moved in big ways. The support that people poured in, both personally and financially, was overwhelming. I progressed closer and closer to the $10,000 I needed everyday and two months later I hopped on a plane to head for the other side of the world.