Dear Friends and Family,
As most of you know, I am 20 years old. At the age of 16 I started to rebel, not only against my parents and any kind of authority, but also against God. This led me to a life of drinking and partying, hanging out with the wrong people, and dating the wrong men. I didn't realize it at the time, but I started getting used to that life, and it became a habit, which led me to a series of events that I will never forget. Events that have shaped my life, events I would never want anyone to go through. Yet through it all, God had his hands around me, keeping me safe. I sit here today thanking God I'm not dead, knowing that reason I'm not, is because He has HUGE plans for my life.
God has changed my life in the last 3 months and I've never been happier. I went to the Experience Conference in Orlando, Florida this past summer with my father. One night before the worship service, I sat down and wrote in my journal; it was a prayer to God asking him that all the chains attached to my past life would be broken. The band started playing and we were led to take communion. For some reason I got the feeling that this communion would be special; I wanted to go up to get it when I felt like God was leading me to. I waited, and waited, people kept trickling up there one by one and finally I felt like the time was right. I started to walk up to the altar and right as I was reaching into the big bowls they had set up for communion, at that moment, the band sand the line "Your chains are gone, you have been set free." Suddenly, I felt this huge burden come off my shoulders. I don't say this in exaggeration, I say this because it is the power of God's grace and restoration.
January 3, 2013, God has blessed me with the opportunity to do a discipleship training school with YWAM (Youth With A Mission), University of the Nations Kona Campus in Hawaii. This school will run for 6 months (24 weeks). It has a 12 weeks lecture phase where we will be going deeper in God's word and really seeking Him. The other 12 weeks will be an outreach phase where we will use what we have been taught to go out and love and mission to others in a different country. I will be in Central Asia for my outreach phase, when I get to Kona, Hawaii, we will be praying as to where specifically God is calling us.
YWAM was shown to me by one of my dear friends, Abbie Thumler, who has been involved with it. I applied knowing I needed a big change in my life and knowing that my biggest desire is to go deeper with God. Through it all, God has been so faithful and has really given me reassurance that this is what is in His will for me. For God to save me from death, save me from a sinful life going nowhere, and for me to turn around and sin everyday, yet He still showers His grace and forgiveness on me, ravishes me with His love, I have no other desire than to praise and please Him the rest of my life. YWAM is going to be just the start of an incredible life changing journey that God has planned for me. I am SO EXCITED... to say the least!
Partner with me on this journey. I will be away from home for six months and can only do this with your help. First, more than anything, please pray. The power of prayer from so many wonderful friends and family will be needed. I will be completely out of my comfort zone in every way. Second, please consider partnering with me financially. I know that God has set up every part of this YWAM journey, including how the budget for me to go will be raised. I have been working and saving for the last 3 months to prepare. In addition, I know that God is preparing some of you to partner with me in this way as well. If you feel God is leading you, or you feel you would like to partner with me in some way, you can find my contact information,
here. I will need to raise $10,000 for the school and outreach. If you would like to partner me financially, please make checks payable to me (Grace Carroll) with YWAM in the memo line. I will be sending you regular updates so I can let you know how God is using the support you send.
MY DISCIPLESHIP TRAINING SCHOOL PHASE -- It's an intense, short-term missions training opportunity set in the amazing YWAM University of the Nations Kona campus. But this is not just Bible camp in the sun. We will spend 12 weeks in Kona, Hawaii, hearing and learning from some of the mothers and fathers of the modern missions movement, as well as people God is using in radical ways around the globe. We will combine teaching lectures, small groups, one-on-ones, prayer and worship, serving the base and simple assignments with a lot of fun in a unique community.
MY OUTREACH PHASE IN CENTRAL ASIA -- It will be an opportunity to work in a cross-cultural environment, serving the community and letting God use us. It is a time to put into practice the things we will learn on lecture phase. It is about being God's hands, feet, and mouth to people. We will be serving and experiencing what a cross-cultural missions life could be life. It is about being obedient to do what God asks us to do, even in the moments when we are afraid or things are uncertain. It is about God stretching us and showing us He is faithful. It will be a life changing trip.
Thank you all so much for your love and support through this. It amazes me and warms my heart to know how many people I have encouraging, supporting, and motivating me through this time. I love you all so much!
"I want a lifetime of holy moments. Every day I want to be in dangerous proximity to Jesus. I long for a life that explodes with meaning and is filled with adventure, wonder, risk, and danger. I long for a faith that is gloriously treacherous. I want to be with Jesus, not knowing whether to cry or laugh."
-- Mike Yaconelli