Jesse's YWAM Montana Fund
**UPDATE CONCERNING FUNDS AT BOTTOM OF PAGE**
Hello friends and family, as many of you know, I am fascinated with traveling, culture, language and the outdoors. I had been thinking of a method to combine all these passions in one go, so the mission field was an obvious choice; I just had no idea how to go about my goals. Youth with a Mission ( or YWAM ) has also been on my mind for a means to accomplish this dream, however, I had never decided to commit to the program or look any deeper than the idea. Then a friend told me about a specific discipleship training school (DTS) at Montana's Lakeside base - they call the program EDTS, or Endurance DTS. The program involves hiking, camping and general adventuring through Montana's back-woods, all the while learning more and more about God and His immense love for us.
At the heart of the EDTS program, all adventuring aside, is a desire to see Jesus work and move in our world. All of the outdoor skills; such as backpacking and wilderness first aid, can and will translate into the mission field. I'm interested in this program for the reason of being equiped for frontier-style missions where resources are hard to come by.
The adventure and travel industry focus of the program addresses the issue of the "lost" traveler (an individual who feels the desire to travel out of the necessity to "find themselves")and aims to build community and "be Jesus" for these people. This program will be able to equip me to relate to the adventurer on a deeper, intimate level concerning Jesus and the Good News of the Gospel.
The first day of classes is July 1st with three months in Montana and two months outreach in Taiwan. I have all the important gear needed (ie tent, trekking backpack, boots etc.) and am working at Famoso pizzeria in order to compemsate for much of the program's cost. I also hope to plan some fundraising events as well. I have faith that God will provide the funds, and I also realize that there is a great deal that I have to do to prepare myself and "earn" this - in a sense.
My long-term plan (five-ten years) would be to open up a hostel (or seven) and have a ministry based around the community of backpackers that would come to stay in the building. It would be a safe, relaxing stop on their travels where Jesus would be modeled in the importance placed on the intentionality of relationships and in the general sharing of life that happens when living in community. I feel as though this DTS is the first stepping stone of this Journey.
If you've been keeping up with me, the increase in my total might seem a bit confusing and misleading - well it is. I got confused as well. I posted the total tuition in American funds, not the Canadian that it would be transfered to (to get to my personal bank account). I know this may look a slight bit daunting, but I have talked to the school leaders and we've worked out a new deadline and we're all confident that The Lord will provide! Thank you for your continued support!
**To my American friends and family: the amount that you have donated will be taken in Canadian funds. Example: If you donate $100 american, roughly $75 is what leaves your account and comes my way, because of the exchange rate. Sorry for the confusion. I love you all and am so appreciative of your support.