The First Step

Well Hello,

I have been so amazed at the way God is putting things together right before my eyes. Just the way everything is going so smoothly gives me a sense of direction that everything is right where God wants it to be. At the beginning of March I sent in my YWAM application that I downloaded from online. I filled it out and off it went. It took about a week for the actual YWAM base to get it but they eventually did and called me shortly after that. Meredith Standberg, the lady that has been helping me get involved, told me that they had spent the past week praying together as staff of the Smithtown Metro NY YWAM base and they have felt clear clarification that I need to be there. So they sent me my acceptance package and there it be! Its official! I am off to NY. =) I have been checking out plane tickets and from the sounds of it I will most likely be in NY September 15, 2012. Classes start September 16th.

I have been trying to budget my schedule to meet all the financial requirements and the first payment of $500.00 is due to them asap. I have been believing and having faith that God will provide.. and guess what.. He did! All of you that have sent me gifts of money in my graduation cards  have helped in that! I have put all of it together and so far I have received exactly $950.00. Just enough to put down the first payment. I am so blessed! God shines again! I have also received a check from the hospital (Peacehealth St. Johns Medical Center) that I have earned and that also comes up to around $4,000.00. So I am half way there!! 

I don't know exactly where I will be going when I get to China. I probably won't know any of that until  November-December. So in the mean time, please join me in praying for God to direct my steps along with the steps of the base leaders and staff.

I am very exciting to see what God has done however quite nervous at the same time. Traveling for the first time by myself, being away from the people I love, safety and hope. All of that is things I have been giving to God, asking for Him to take and bring peace to it. I found out just the other day that in some parts of China if not all of it, it is illegal to be a christian. I thought I would be afraid, but honestly that gives me more of a passion to use my actions to spread the Love of Jesus Christ. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt He will take good care of me and I pray that in every way He will use me to further His Kingdom!

Well this is just the beginning and the first step in the right direction. I will keep you all posted about the next stepping stone in this amazing adventure that is about to embark.

Thank you all so much for the prayer and financial support! You all are so wonderful and close to my heart! May God bless you!

Sincerely,

<>< Shelby Mace ><>