Of Rude Awakenings, Pre-trip Jitters, and Fear

I was in that stage of sleep where you see things in your dreams that you are actually hearing in the real world.  "I was following the...I was following the...I was following the..."

The letter "I" was punching across my brain like in Sesame Street when I abruptly awoke and realized that Fleet Foxes was utterly failing to wake up my little sister for school.  Again.  I hate that song.

"Jillian."
"What?"

I like that she can answer my question but not turn off her alarm.

"Turn off your alarm!"
"Oh."

And snooze.  This scene repeats five times, and I have a strong urge to punch a baby.  Or maybe just Jillian.

I have been living with my parents for the three weeks prior to shoving off and fulfilling my lifelong dream of being Pippy Longstocking aboard a ship.  My family listens to talk radio which makes me feel like my nerves are on top of my skin when I'm awake.  So you can imagine how it makes me feel at 6:30 in the morning when I'm being awakened by a band that uses far too much reverb.  My inner four year old emerged in full glory and I indulged in a first class temper tantrum.

I lept from my bed, ran down the hall and slammed my parents bedroom door where Armstrong and Ghetty were screeching about another pop culture scandal.  Next, I stumbled to the other end of the house where precious little Jessica was listening to Enya as she got ready for school.  I pounded excedrine for my rapidly developing migraine.

"Goodmorning Christine!"
"You people are the WORST!"

Stummbled back to the the pink and purple spectacle of a bedroom I now share with Jill.  Hi I'm 27 and I share a room with my little sister in my parents house.  I like to tell people I'm passing through.

"Jillian get out of bed."
"Why?"
Because you set your alarm!  So that logically means you need get up.  Otherwise, why the hell did you set it?"
"It's on snooze!"
"You people are the WORST!"

Thirty minutes later the house has been evacuated and all is silent.  But I pounded two pills of caffeine and so the silence is rather pointless now.

My four year old self goes back into her cave and my thoughts turn to six days from now.  Living on my own has made me spoiled.  I like to have my own room and wake up how I want to.  But I'm going to go live, first in a small dorm room with at least one other person, if not six.  Then, move on to an even smaller ship and live there for eight weeks.  Why am I doing this again?

Oh God, what if I change?  What if I don't change?  What if I sink??  My alarm goes off.
"Tomorrow's freedom is today's surrender..."

"What would you like me to surrender?"  I dread the response, but I have to ask.
"Your fear."
"Oh.  Well yeah ok.  That's good.  Let's do that."

The Holy Spirit sits on my chest and His peace takes over.

"I didn't surrender yet."
"You are my child.  I have chosen you, and my presence is always here for you to enjoy.  Also, you're not gonna sink."
"I should probably text Jessica and tell her goodmorning."






In six days I leave for Hawaii.  If you would like to support me on this adventure, you can give at http://ywamships.net/give/.  Also, much prayer would be appreciated...for my future roommates...as I am prone to be grumpy first thing in the morning.
 

This is Kind of a Big Deal

So this is my support letter for my mission trip.  There are some very important changes in here regarding how to support me, so if you received a hard copy of my letter and want to support me please read this instead of your hard copy!

Dear Family and Friends,

The Lord has blessed me with an exciting opportunity to attend Youth With a Mission’s Discipleship Training School (YWAM-DTS) in Kona, Hawaii.

YWAM is an international mission organization whose goal is to train and equip believers so that they may fulfill their part in the Great Commission. There are training schools at various locations all over the world. The goal of the DTS is to train believers both spiritually and culturally; to grow in their relationship with Christ; to learn to hear His voice; and to follow His lead in spreading His love everywhere they minister throughout the world.

YWAM further believes that part of showing Christ’s love is accomplished in a more meaningful way by helping to meet the physical needs of the people encountered. My specific training will be in two different phases:  1. An onsite training at the DTS, and 2. An outreach period in which we will be applying what we have learned. 

I am most excited about the outreach portion because it takes place on a ship that transports medicines and other needed supplies to people living on remote islands or areas of the world that can only be reached by boat.  I am prayerfully considering the location in which I feel the Lord is leading me to serve during this training portion of my ministry.

This three month long ministry adventure is a dream come true for me.  I have three things I’m passionate about: Jesus, people, and the sea. I’m so excited to have the opportunity to combine all three of these passions into one amazing opportunity.  In this season, I feel that the Lord is opening the door and inviting me to take a wild adventure with Him. In order to do this I will need some support.

First, I will need partners who will pray with me. Some of my specific prayer requests include the following:

1. That I would have no fears about traveling,
2. For good health which includes spiritual, emotional, and physical protection,
3. For intense spiritual growth and communication with God,
4. That our team of workers will be focused on Jesus and that His light will shine through us, and
5. That decisions will be made for Christ.

Secondly, I need to raise my own funds for the trip.  So, I humbly ask for your prayerful financial support.  If the Lord leads you to give, no matter what the amount might be, please make checks out to the YWAM Ships OC and send them to my home address: 3164 Willow Bend Dr. Chico, CA 95973.  There are two options for donations.  You can either support the schooling portion of my trip, or the outreach portion.  If you desire to fund the outreach portion, please write Q42013DTS-OR in the left hand corner of the check. Also, only the outreach donations are tax deductable, so if you are giving for the outreach portion, you can include a separte note stating that your donation is for the outreach portion.  You can also pay on line at http://ywamships.net/give/ which is probabaly the easiest way to pay.

Whether you choose to support me spiritually and/or financially, I sincerely thank you. May our Lord richly bless you. 

In Christ,

Christine Goddard