BLOG AT YWAM HARPENDEN
WHAT IGNITED OUR HEARTS FOR MISSIONS?
Hey everyone near and far! My name is Melissa, age 30, married to Dale (for almost 10 years) and together we have four gorgeous children.
Our family has just moved here during the summer. Personally, I’ve been a ‘YWAMer’ for thirteen years, initially staffing and pioneering projects the first few years within YWAM itself. However, since then, I’ve worked for other organizations, married Dale, studied Film & Theatre performance, worked in the film industry, helped plant a church in Düsseldorf Germany and became a Wellness therapist & Health Coach. It’s been a beautiful, bittersweet, amazing and full roller coaster ride adventure. I also had the joy of becoming a mother to our four children. Now we find ourselves here at YWAM Harpenden, and I’m on a new exciting journey homeschooling our kids, alongside becoming a blogger here on the Oval.
The way that the Lord led us here felt pretty supernatural. I could tell you so many stories that reveal God’s goodness in leading us to this point! Leaving everything we had built and established behind us as a family of six was (and still is!) not always easy. But we know we have a calling upon our lives to make a difference through storytelling, Film and media and knew God was leading us down new roads to fulfil this. We have come to YWAM Harpenden, so Dale can complete the Ignite-Discipleship Training School (DTS – the prerequisite school for all YWAMers). This specific DTS runs with a media focus, which will give him a foundation to continue more specific study through the University of the Nations (UofN). More than anything we are excited that we can run together from here, after the dreams God has placed in our hearts and walk out step by step the vision so clearly in front of us.
During this season here at YWAM Harpenden, I’m absolutely thrilled to take you on a journalistic journey, interviewing people behind the scenes working here at YWAM Harpenden. Together over the next twelve weeks, we will explore who ‘We are as YWAM Harpenden’.
So, I want to invite you to join me as we unpack inspiring stories of the real genuine people who are giving their lives to serve within this community. We will discover what ignited their hearts for missions? What empowered them to leave their countries and their families for unknown pastures? What does it mean for people to live by faith and how we hear God’s voice in the ordinary moments? We’ll discover so much of the story of God and the values that underpin the stories of people’s everyday lives, serving with YWAM Harpenden. Sounds interesting right?! Stay tuned every Monday, so you don’t miss getting to know the amazing people within this community.
Melissa