"Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to all Creation" - Mark 16:15
Dear Family, Friends and Community,
I am so excited to share with you what has been happening in my life this past year. Last Sept 2011, I stepped down from my commercial construction job, after feeling led to go into missions with Youth With A Mission (YWAM). My time at YWAM Montana this past spring has been a life changing experience. I completed my YWAM-DTS (Discipleship Training School) and then came home in May 2012. In July, I returned to the YWAM base for a week long VWAP (Vacation With A Purpose) a missions trip that my church in Stanwood has been part of for many years. We spent our days helping paint, do stone work, replacing old windows and general construction on the base. During that week the Lord opened up a wonderful opportunity for me to serve Him, opening up and being offered a full-time volunteer staff position with YWAM Mission Builders International.
Also in July, I had the opportunity to serve at the YWAM Kona, Hawaii base as part of a Summer Surge program, constructing and building new student and staff housing as well as a new cafeteria and trans-media building to accommodate the exponential growth of their student body and volunteer staff. The surge was an inspiring experience to be involved with, watching as people around the world, volunteering their summer to help build buildings that will further the Kingdom of God.
So, for the next season of my life, I will be returning to YWAM Montana in October working as a full-time missionary with Mission Builders International (MBI).
Mission Builders International is a YWAM ministry that mobilizes ministries that calls Christians worldwide into active service, equipping them to encourage, support and work alongside front-line missionaries to build the Kingdom of God. MBI also mobilizes volunteers to provide ministry and facility development services to Christian ministries around the world that promote health, education and economic opportunities for helping people in need.
I am excited about the opportunities and experiences that lie ahead. This is a journey that God has called me to and I would greatly appreciate any level of support you are able to offer. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve and minister and I ask you to join me in ministry. Being a full-time missionary means raising monthly support, as this position is volunteer and self-supporting. Nobody in YWAM gets a paycheck. Instead, we believe in partnership with family, friends and community, as a way for everyone to be involved to make a difference around the world.
I am in need of raising $800- $1200 monthly support, to cover living expenses such as rent, insurance, food and ministry costs. I am praying for people to partner with me in this ministry which God has called me to. Even the littlest amount counts and is tax-deductible! I would love to get together with you and share all that God has done this year and what partnering in this amazing opportunity means. Along with financial support to make this possible, most importantly, Prayer is the fuel that will allow us to be successful as we follow God's leading in the ministry. I have set up a blog, as a way to keep connected with you to share all that’s happening along this journey. I have added videos and pictures of the different ministries that I’ve been a part of this year.
Thank you for being a part of my life and prayerfully considering if this is something you’d like to partner with me in. I would love to hear an update of what is going on in your life. Thanks so much for taking the time to read this letter, and if you have any questions, please let me know. I am excited to see all that God does in the nations this next year. Take care, and I hope to hear from you soon! May God bless you for your time and support.
May God Bless You!!!
Rachel Lynn Burns
425.350.5619
360.629.4005
rachellynn1007@yahoo.com
