*** I AM SO EXCITED TO SHARE THIS WITH YOU GUYS WOW OH MY GOODNESS. *** Okay, but before I tell you the news, you HAVE to hear my heart on this... Up until the final month of classes this semester, I thought I was going to be a reporter for a television news station in Lubbock, Texas. **insert cow mooing** There's nothing wrong with this, in fact, I'd just gone to school for the past four-and-a-half years to become just that. There's a rewarding part about telling the "little guy's" story. In Journalism we call this giving a voice to the voiceless. In my experience, you can change a person's perspective, put them in another's shoes, or even take them across the world with a good story. Story-telling has the power to change minds, hearts and lives if it's done well. My whole life altered this summer when I had the chance to go to Europe. I was just four hours outside of London when the terrorist attacks broke out cancelling all transportation to the city for the next day. I was heartbroken not only for the city but for her people. Against everybody’s advice, as soon as transportation became available, I was in London. I remember praying as I walked through the streets, that if it was God’s will and timing, that he would someday send me back to Europe. Europe has been on my heart for a very, very long time. The best way to describe it would be to compare me to a piece of fruit. I feel like I’ve been dangling from a tree waiting to be picked for the past 10 years. My heart is so tender and ripe at this point in my life when it comes to Europe that I break down and cry every time I start thinking about it. I knew I was supposed to go but I didn't know how and I couldn't help but feel as if I had just wasted the past five years of my life. The more I thought about all the obstacles in my way, I began to worry. As days rolled into weeks it felt like Europe was further away than it ever had been before. I began to feel homesick and sad. One day, as I was spending time with God in prayer, I wrote in my journal, "God, if you'll do your part, I'll do mine. I'm willing to go wherever you call and I'm ready." Who God calls, he equips. Fast-forward to today... I'm thrilled to announce that I will be joining Greater Europe Mission (GEM) helping pioneer it's Emerge Internship Program. The intention of the program is to empower people interested in ministry by completely immersing them in what GEM is doing all over Europe! Emerge will be aimed at those who are interested in mission work and want to develop their skills and gifts in ministry. The program will formally begin in August of 2019, but I have been chosen, along with one other gal my age to test out the program, see its strengths and weaknesses, and help build the foundation for what will hopefully be an amazing program by next year. Europe is really the center of the world right now—historically, economically, and politically—but only 2% of Europeans claim to have a relationship with Jesus. The mission and vision of GEM is to “reach Europe by multiplying disciples and growing Christ’s church." Many of the details of the trip are still being ironed out because it’s hard to predict what will be going on in 2019 Europe, which will certainly affect visas and even ministries, but the tentative plan right now is to travel to the UK, France, Germany, Macedonia, Ireland, and Spain over the course of 12 months. We will be doing a lot of work with church plants, refugee ministries, youth ministries and education centers. As things are nailed down more firmly, I will be sharing them with all of you via blog and newsletter if you opt for that. Along with some of the things I will be doing, story-telling is one of them. I'll get to tell the stories of missionaries, educators, refugees and immigrants. I'll be doing what I feel that I was put on this earth to do. I can't tell you what the next 50 years of my life look like. I can tell you that I'm praying about doing something like this for the rest of my life and GEM feels like home. The last few years have been such a journey for me filled to the brim with ups and downs, mistakes and accomplishments and do's and dont's. God continues to pursue my heart and his patience with me is more comforting and warm than the Oklahoma sun on a hot southern day. I'll be raising my own funds for the year. The cost of the trip is estimated to be $24k. This will cover absolutely everything as far as flights, visas, cost of living (which is considerably higher throughout much of Europe), meals, etc. I already have a fundraising page set up through GEM if you’re interested in financially supporting my journey. All donations will be tax deductible and there are options for one-time and/or reoccurring monthly donations. In the meantime I'm selling everything I have lol The website to donate is http://www.gemission.org/donate and you can search my name (Savannah Hurst) or my account number (23452). You can also send donations to: GEM USA P.O.Box 1669 Monument, CO 80132-1669 [please attach a note with my name and account number (do not write it into the memo line on the check)] Most importantly, I'm asking you all to keep me in your prayers and thoughts as I continue to navigate through the next few months of fundraising and planning. I'd love to talk with you if you have questions or want to hear more! Love you guys, Vanz [email protected]
15 Comments
Savannah
1/21/2018 01:07:59 pm
:-) !! thanks for the read!
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CR
1/15/2018 05:44:01 pm
The life of a writer is a humbling experience.
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Savannah
1/21/2018 12:37:22 pm
indeed! it’s definately been a journey so far.
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CR
1/21/2018 08:22:07 pm
Things only get more interesting🙂.
Robin Brothers
1/16/2018 08:42:50 am
Its an exciting time to be God's child!
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Savannah
1/21/2018 12:37:06 pm
agreed! I’m excited to work alongside other missionaries and tell the stories of those doing good work all over.
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Deana Custer
1/21/2018 08:29:05 pm
Savannah,
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Savannah
1/22/2018 10:50:23 am
I love you! Thank you for the encouraging words. This has blessed me more than you know.
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Be positive
1/22/2018 06:33:54 am
Keep your head up and stick to the path your gonna do great things! Lions pay no attention to the opinions of sheep
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Savannah
1/22/2018 10:51:05 am
Thank you! That's very uplifting! :-)
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Christa
1/22/2018 07:38:28 am
“No matter what is stirred up, you stay tied down. Anchored down. I see debris flying - swirling like a tornado over your head - but I see you tied by a rope around your waist that is holding your feet to the ground. I see you up on your tip toes. Flatten those feet on the ground and stand firm. Trust Jesus. Trust Him with what you cannot reconcile.
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Savannah
1/22/2018 10:51:34 am
Powerful and beautiful. Thank you!
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Baylor Hurst
1/22/2018 10:46:35 am
So so so proud of you Vannah. ❤️😤👏 LET’S DO THIS.
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Savannah
1/22/2018 10:55:56 am
Thank you Baylor! YES!!
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