Support Letter

Dear Friends and Family,

As you know, last summer I was blessed with the opportunity to go on not just one, but two missions trips: one to Memphis, Tennessee as a middle school leader and one to Moose Pass, Alaska with my church's college group. Each mission's trip touched my life in a different way. In Memphis, words can't even begin to describe what it feels like to see a teenager serving God and drawing closer to Him. I also realized that I struggle with living in the future (ex. planning different ways to serve God next month and next year, but forgetting about today). While living in the future, I was forgetting to make the most of today – and reach out to people today, even if it as simple as listening to a teenager talk about their day or answering their questions about God. I had forgotten that I can serve God with the little things in my life. The mission's trip to Moose Pass taught me that God can use anyone if we just say, "Yes!" I had never done street evangelism before or just gone up and started talking with homeless people, and one of my group leaders challenged me to be the first to start up a conversation. I shied away at first, and then I noticed a deaf homeless man. I was the only one on my team who knew sign language. I didn't see him come into a saving faith with Jesus Christ, but I can tell you that many of the homeless people, who had discouraged me from talking with the man, noticed a change after I just "listened" to him talk about his life. I was scared and nervous and inexperienced, but God will provide and equip you in your time of need.
I say all this to you because last summer, I began to feel a call on my life to serve God through LeaderTreks (the company that organized my Memphis trip). LeaderTreks is for youth groups (middle and high school) across America to go and reach the world and to develop strong Christian leaders from this generation. I have such a burden for the youth for today. It is hard growing up in today's society and maintaining even an ounce of faith because it seems everything is against you. I was hesitant at first because of all of the "details" but once I said "Yes!" to God, I have seen Him take care of almost every detail I once worried about.
I have no idea where I will be as of yet, I should find out in March. I could be in one of several places in the United States or I could be sent to another country. I will be working as an intern and will be building relationships with students and challenging them to become more like the awesome God we serve everyday from the beginning of June through the first part of August.
I don't know all of the details right now, but I do know God knows them. I have to raise my own support (this helps keeps the cost lower for youth so that they can experience a mission's trip). My goal is $3000 to cover food, housing, transportation, and other essential costs for this 12 week internship program. Please carefully consider if God would have you donate. A response card is enclosed with more details and all gifts are tax deductible.
More than finances, I also need your prayers (there is also a section on the response card to become a prayer warrior). I learned this first hand at the Passion Conference that I interpreted the first week in January this year. Two prayer warriors prayed for our interpreting team for strength because we were absolutely exhausted and I can't even begin to describe how God came over us and gave us His supernatural strength. Without prayer, this mission's trip won't be possible.
If you would like for me to keep you updated, please send me an email (joyful_in_christ@fastmail.fm) so that you can receive any future updates and prayer requests.

Thanks again for your time and may God richly bless you,

Joy