Dear Friends,

This year has been full of change, trials and surprises for me. For the last few years I have been walking down a path that I felt confident in but there was never any peace about my future plans. This last summer in particular, I began to seek the Lord as to what He would have me do with my life. God answered the restlessness in my soul by asking me to surrender my school plans and asked of me three things: a. to set aside time to be just be with Him; b. to step out in faith and go on a mission trip; and c. to leave the comfort and security of my family.
God has given me the opportunity to attend a Discipleship Training School (DTS) with Youth with a Mission (YWAM), in Meeteetse, Wyoming this spring. The DTS training will include time in the Word, guest lectures, local outreaches and horsemanship. This summer we will be headed overseas. Although the location is not yet decided, the base in Wyoming focuses their mission trips on migratory or rural people groups. Outreaches in the past have gone to South Africa, Mongolia, Argentina and Australia. The base also has relationships with local First Nations reservations. I am excited to see where God will have the Spring DTS serve. If you want to learn more about the base and their mission, visit their website at www.cowboyswithamission.com or you can check out my blog, which I will be updating as much as possible http://kimberleeshirkey.blogspot.com.
I would love your prayer and thoughts during this time. For God’s protection and provision, for spiritual growth and strength and that I wouldn’t get homesick…I have never been away from my family for longer than 18 days! God keeps reminding me of the promises in Isaiah 42: 6-7: “I am the LORD, I have called you in righteousness, I will also hold you by the hand and watch over you, And I will appoint you as a covenant to the people, as a light to the nations…” (NASB). I don’t know exactly what God has planned for me, but I guess that is what makes this life journey exciting! Won’t you join me?

In His care!