I grew up in a Christian family. When I was 4 I was watching TBN, and the reenactment of Jesus death on the cross. I was very young and I had no idea why a solitary man would die on the cross for everyone in the world, was that possible? I asked my mom and she explained the story of Jesus dying on the cross and how he is the son of God. I began to understand, so my first step was to ask Jesus into my heart. Only the beginning of the journey. I always had my family to back me up but I did not solely rely on my parents faith to be my own. I truly started making it my own when I was 12 and I went on a mission trip with my parents who were youth leaders a few years. We stayed at the YWAM vancouver base and worked with homeless. I really felt God tugging on my heart and speaking to me. He wanted me to live my life in this way. From then on I was constantly growing and experiencing the same tug and voice in my heart. I went to Thailand for the first time in 2007 and then again in 2008. While being there I have acquired a love that is so deep and strong to spread his word, and for his lost children. I will never be the same. He only kept making the passion for his people in my heart burn brighter and brighter.
However through all this has been a very hard process. Like Joseph I have always faced hard and confusing times but I know and am starting to grasp the beautiful process to become the person he wants me to be. A lot of that involves complete surrender, something I learn more about every day. I also had a lot of difficulty when everyone was applying to colleges I felt that God had something else, just dedicating my life to his work. It was hard realizing that security was being stripped away from me. I still struggle but I know God will always provide. He is always revealing himself to me in this way. Just recently, this past year, God has shown me what it means to give up EVERYTHING and solely follow, trust, and love him.
My present relationship with God is always changing, growing. I always have to keep my heart open. I am well adjusting to the way God likes to take my plans and make them his own, no matter how confusing to me it may be. I feel that Jesus has become my best friend. I truly tell him everything and am completely open and raw before him. He will never ever leave my side, and even when I turn my back on him and try to do things on my own he is always there, guiding and placing blessings into my life. I am so thankful for him, and what he suffered to save us. I would be nothing without my savior. He is the very core of my DNA, my being, my soul.
2. My Devotional life
My devotional life has been a constant struggle. All my growing up years it was hard for me to understand the Bible and I only read it because I was "supposed" to. I struggled with the concept of daily devotions. Everyone had their checklist of how many books of the bible they had to read, or how many days to read. I soon started comparing myself to that and when I would miss a day I would feel frustrated until it was soon a chore. My family did a nightly devotion and prayer time. This helped me to soon develop my own love and understanding of the Bible. Now I have a hunger for the bible every day. I pray constantly. When I am doing devotions, amidst the hubbub of work and school, when I am with my friends. Every decision I make I consult God about. He is my best friend and confidant. I have learned the voice of God so well over these past few years. I have grown so much in worship too. Not only in singing praises to him but learning to live a lifestyle of worship to God. Showing his love to others and being a constant light in every situation of life.
3. Relationship with Church
My whole life growing up I attended Evergreen Community Church. I was always very actively involved. We had a campaign for building a new church building. I was about 12 at the time. My 3 best friends and I put on a children's day camp for 3 years in a row to raise money for the new church. We ended up producing over $2,000. Also I was always a part of the children's ministry, teaching sunday school, and helping with VBS. Once a part of the youth group I always got involved as well. I was a small group leader and I went on a mission trip with my youth group my senior year. However, within this past year I have felt God calling me to another church. My family moved churches but I felt the church they decided on was not my "home" church. I started attending Shoreline Community Church and did an internship with them over the summer. That involved revamping the visual arts of the church. Signs, artwork, painting, decoration, announcements, and bulletins. I also created a strong bond with many people at the church, making it truly feel like my home. They have a huge heart for missions and I know that in my future, as God leads, they will be a big support in prayer and blessing.
I also have been involved with a music and arts festival for 6 years. My parents started directing it in 2002 and even with ever growing debt we cannot stop. It is so amazing how God can use a huge festival with thousands of people and touch so many lives. The past two years I have directed the worship stage at the festival. We created a place for people to be free in their expression of worship. I have had so much fun putting it together and letting God utilize it.
4. My relationship with my family
My family is such a blessing in my life. I have two wonderful parents who have devoted their time and lives to loving others to Christ. They are a huge reason why I have a passion for missions. For the past six years they have been in charge of a large music festival called Freedom Fest. They do not only bring good music but speakers with purpose on social injustice and the message of Jesus Christ. So much effort and heart has been poured into it and they constantly are relying on God for provision, and he never fails.
I also have a younger sister Raquel (15) and a brother Luke (12). They are the coolest siblings, there is no one like them. Even though I am the oldest I am still constantly learning from them and their maturity. We all have unique personalities which blend into a perfect fit. We may have our downfalls and tough times but we always get through, stronger then ever. We are seriously the triple threat behind our parents. I am so thankful for them and my parents, and constantly reminding me of how amazing God is.
They all are very excited for my venture into YWAM. They are all sad to see my go but are my biggest supporters. I shall miss them more then anything.
5. Circumstances which led me to apply for their school, why Amsterdam?
My venture to your Base has been truly a God thing and so amazing. I have had a desire to do a DTS even before senior year in High school. When everyone else was applying to college I was researching base after base and praying so hard for God to point me in the right direction. There were so many to choose from. I finally felt a little tug towards the Derbyshire, England base. However things did not work out in the application process due to some delays I had, through that I started to have people tell me they thought Derby was the wrong place. I was confused but started more research and a lot of prayer until I discovered that Kona, Hawaii was offering a Performing arts DTS. I have a love for dance so this was a perfect fit. I felt so blessed God pulled me away to look at others. I applied and then they told me it had been cancelled, due to the lack of interest. I was even more confused! Where was I supposed to go now? I was back to base one. I started right away, researching bases I had not looked into before and I found yours. In the beginning I had not found any Holland bases, which was where I had longed to go. My family is all from The Netherlands and I have been there once, and fell completely in love with it. I had a chance to meet a pastor while I was there and my heart broke for the church of Holland. I have always felt called to my families home country. So when I found your base I was thrilled. Everything fell into place. My forms were all easily filled out and your ministry seems like just the place for me. I am so excited about what God is going to do in me and with YWAM amsterdam.
