Laura goes to Mexico with YWAM!

I've attended several short-term missions over the last 13 years, and I've felt the most joy, peace and purpose while traveling and serving on these trips - more than anything else I've ever done in my life.


Last year, I was able to visit Vicente Guerrero, Baja Mexico on a mission trip with my church family, and since then my heart has ached to return for longer than a week. Every time I visit Mexico, I dream of one day moving there. The Spanish I studied in school came flooding back after just a few days, and being able to speak the language and translate for my friends made a deeper impact. We return next July for another week of missions, but that’s not soon enough for me! My desire for next year’s trip is to be confidently fluent (as best I can be) in Spanish to help translate again in a greater capacity.


In preparation for next year’s trip, The Lord has orchestrated the opportunity to attend a DTS (Discipleship Training School) with the organization YWAM (Youth With A Mission) in Tijuana, Mexico for 5 months in a bi-lingual atmosphere where I can improve my Spanish skills in an immersion style environment, and I am so blessed to participate! Getting to spend January - July 2018 in Mexico and abroad is a dream come true and answer to prayer for me. I feel like the Lord has been pursuing me on this adventure for 10 years, and I’m in a season of life now where I can go wherever the Lord calls me to go with nothing holding me back.


I’ve selected the “Transformation DTS” with YWAM San Diego Baja, which focuses on developing my personal spiritual transformation, as well as invest into the transformation of the local Mexican community.  
In Mexico, we’ll be working with housebuilding, serving orphanages and local churches, visiting Women’s shelters, tutoring in schools, and serving in the Red Light District being the hands and feet of Jesus.
Our outreach phase will either be in Latin America, Asia, or the Caribbean (TBA), and I cannot wait to travel the world serving the Lord!

After my YWAM DTS is complete, I will be joining my KMC ohana's mission trip for another week in Vicente Guerrero in July a few weeks later.


While I’m in Mexico and abroad, however, I’ll be unemployed while I participate in a variety of community impact outreach projects. This is where you come in. :)


If you feel led to partner with me in prayer or financially, you'll be investing in the Kingdom around the world!

Here’s the calendar breakdown of my adventure:

12 weeks in Tijuana, Mexico - DTS Lecture Phase part 1

8 weeks in another country - DTS Outreach Phase part 2

1 week in Vicente Guerrero, Mexico - Kalaheo MC Mission Trip 2018

Here is a breakdown of the funds needed to be raised by January/March 2018:

Application Fee = $45

Cost of lecture phase in Tijuana = $3,200 (Needed by January) Includes food, room and board, and tuition. Excludes additional spending money, cost of personal items, and airfare.

Estimated cost of outreach phase in TBA = $3,500 (Needed by March) Includes food, room and board, and tuition. Excludes additional spending money, cost of personal items, and airfare.

Airfare to and from San Diego and Kauai = approx $600 - $800

Airfare to and from Mexico to ??? = approx $1000 - $2000

KMC Mexico Mission Trip = approx $500 - $600

Various recurring bills = approx $1,500

Additional travel expenses between Outreach phase and KMC mission trip = approx $1,000

Total estimated amount to be raised by January/March, 2018 = $12,650

If you wish to partner with me on a montly basis, you can schedule automatic monthly payments via my church website:

http://www.kalaheomissionary.com/give/ and follow the instructions provided for scheduled giving.

I hope you’ll partner with me in prayer and encouragement for this exciting new adventure! I love to travel, and getting to spend an extended period of time in 2 foreign countries in 2018 is such an amazing opportunity. Whether it’s a one-time gift or you feel led to partner with me on a monthly basis, everything helps!

Thank you so much for supporting me in this incredible next season of my life!

Love, Laura Leonard