Discipleship Training - New Zealand

First off, thank you so much for taking time out of your day to read and find out what this is all about.

On January 17th I will be attending Discipleship Training School, which is a branch of YWAM (Youth With A Mission). I will be heading out of the country by myself to a school in Queenstown, New Zealand for six months. For the first three to four months I will be studying the bible with fellow believers - learning, growing and experiencing God in a whole new and exciting way. During those months the leaders will be equipping us for a two month mission trip in the South Pacific or Southeast Asia.

http://www.ywamqueenstown.com/dts/arise-dts

Here's my story, why I want to do this and how you can help me.

I've been suffering with depression for about six years now, but just came to this realization within the last few months. I couldn't figure out what was wrong with me - why I didn't want to do the things that made me happy or even get out of bed anymore. Satan has been filling my mind with lies of self doubt, fear, insecurities, worthlessness and lack of purpose. After so long you start to believe these destructive thoughts, adopt them and drift through life. I hated myself and would get mad at myself for hating myself - it's a vicious circle.

God was putting on my heart that I needed to get out of my comfort zone and do something big. I decided to head up to Portland, Oregon for the holidays to visit some family.  I was able to talk to so many of my family members that have suffered through the same suffocating pain. On my first night there, my cousin told me I should go to DTS (Discipleship Training School). A few days later his buddies came to visit who have also attended DTS and encouraged me to go. Chris (my cousin's friend) had just gotten back from a DTS in New Zealand on the 19th of December. At the dinner table he told us all his story of living with depression, how he viewed himself walking into DTS, and that God shattered it and rebuilt him into an amazing confident Christian man. While listening I thought, "Okay God, I get it, I know where you want me, I will listen even though I'm nervous. You want to fix me". My whole family felt the same way and knew this is where I need to be.

I called the Queenstown DTS Sunday morning, it was completely booked, and they said there was absolutely no way I could go to this specific DTS. Later that day I was on the website looking for other available programs,  but I couldn't find anything that felt right and started to get frustrated. While being frustrated I received a phone call from a restricted number (which I never answer) but they left me a message. In the voicemail the same man I had talked to earlier said  "we have opened up more spots for you to come and join us on the 17th - let me know if you are still interested". I called right back, left a message and emailed them too. Shortly after they sent me my application and I really got started on this amazing crazy adventure.

WOW! God is so good! I'm blown away by everything He has done and made happen in such a short period of time. Most people sign up for this months in advance and fundraise. I only have a little over a week to fundraise but I know it will work out no matter what, God is in control, He's got this. The money I raise will help with the following: tuition, flights, food, room & board and mission trip. I leave on the 14th of January and will document my time either through Instagram or blogging. I'll be back late June a changed woman! The most important thing you can do for me is pray, thank you so much for reading and follow me on this blessing of a journey.