SUMMER 2016 INTERNSHIP
It is crazy how God works.
Almost six years ago, I started volunteering at a ministry in Florence that would forever change my life.
If you know me, then you know that East Florence Mission holds a very special place in my heart.
At EFM, I grew physically (a whole inch!), I grew in my leadership skills, learning how to effectively manage and teach children with a loving and patient spirit, and I grew in my relationship with the Lord. I've learned how to work with children in very different situations than mine, and I've learned how to educate others on how they can help these same children. I've posted tons of pictures, written many many blogs about them, and learned that just when you think you can't do it for one more second because it is so hard.. God gives you the strength to keep going.
I learned an incredible amount in six years. And I knew the whole time, knew when I closed the door to my classroom the last night I taught back in May of 2015, that God was using that to prepare me for something.
And something I have found indeed.
This summer, starting in early May, I will be interning at a ministry known as Friends of Refugees.
FOR, as it is better known (I sure do love ministries with abbreviations don't I?), is located outside of Atlanta, Georgia in the town of Clarkston.
Their mission is to "care for refugees through relationships and opportunities that provide for their well-being, education, and employment as they become contributing members of society". Their vision is for refugees to experience Kingdom living in relationship with God through Jesus.
In other words, they have so many wonderful opportunities to help the refugees from over 20 different countries to stabilize themselves in America, all while teaching them about the love of Jesus.
You may ask yourself, how in the world did Alana find out about this ministry for refugees in Atlanta?
Well, it all starts back when I went to Passion 2015 with my friends, including my dear lovely beautiful Taylor.
Taylor's aunt and her family are very involved at FOR, and I first learned of it that weekend.
Over this year's Christmas Break, I began to feel a desire to serve the Lord this summer. (If you're interested in the many times I told God no and He told me yes, please go read my last blog.)
When I began to think of where I could go, I started researching and googled "summer missions 2016 internships".
One of the things that came up was serving for FOR in Clarkston. I clicked on it, looked at it, and then realized "Hey! This is what Taylor's aunt and her family are involved in."
So I spoke with Taylor, who told me to Facebook message her aunt. And I did. And she was so incredibly sweet, so encouraging, and told me to apply. She also answered my 3,000 questions and proof-read my cover letter.
And apply I did.
I got it. I received an email a few days later telling me they were very interested in having me serve on their team and would love to talk on the phone.
So I talked on the phone with the summer camp coordinator, and next thing I know, I am going to Georgia this summer.
"wow Alana that is really cool" you are probably thinking to yourself. And it is very cool.
But here's the cooler part.
God has moved so many barriers from my path.
I have to be back at school in early August (like very early), and I was worried that no one would want an intern that could only work May and June and a bit of early July.
But at FOR they told me they would be happy to have me May and June, as normally their interns don't arrive until June and they could use help in May.
I wanted to work with children so so much as that is my passion, but I also really needed to get some PR experience and I did not see a way that could mesh together.
But at FOR they offered me the position of SUMMER CAMP (yay) Administrative Team Intern.
Which means I will be helping register kids/do administrative work in May. And in June I will be doing PR work, taking pictures of the kids, writing newsletters, updating social media.. all things that I love doing. And I get to do them with kids.
I didn't know where I would live, or how that would work.
But Taylor's aunt and her family have so selflessly offered me a place to live for the summer. Which is conveniently almost right next to the community center where camp is held, so a 45 second walk to work.
God is working in absolutely crazy ways for this to happen.
And it is ALL for His glory.
He let me work with my sweet kids at EFM for years so that I could gain knowledge and experience. He put me in a place that allowed me to talk about my kids for everyone so I could have practice writing and posting pictures.
He gave me what I need to serve Him in Georgia this summer.
So what can I say, but yes.
Yes, God. I will serve.
Yes, I will follow You.
Yes, I will trust that Your plans are so much better.
yes. yes. yes.
I sent out a support letter this week, and many of you who read this blog will probably receive one. However, for those that don't I'm going to put a copy of it here, with my address redacted. If you didn't get a letter and would like one, let me know and I'll be happy to send one your way.
Dear Friends,
Obviously, I need financial support. But I also am in heavy need of your prayers.
It's scary. Very exciting, but very scary. So I ask for your prayers, lots and lots of them.
And even though I am freaked out, because new city, new people, I am also so incredibly excited.
I get to do my favorite thing in the world.
I get to show kids the love of Jesus. Kids who don't get that chance.
And I get to WRITE about doing it.
And it all takes place at a summer camp.
And if you tell me that God didn't put that together, I will laugh at you. Because He did.
God is good. He is SO so good. I know He will keep providing as He already has.
At least 140 kids. Over 20 countries. Arts and Crafts. Games. Snacks. Laughter. Smiles. Love.
I can't wait for the summer.
Almost six years ago, I started volunteering at a ministry in Florence that would forever change my life.
 |
| This was the very beginning of me at EFM. |
At EFM, I grew physically (a whole inch!), I grew in my leadership skills, learning how to effectively manage and teach children with a loving and patient spirit, and I grew in my relationship with the Lord. I've learned how to work with children in very different situations than mine, and I've learned how to educate others on how they can help these same children. I've posted tons of pictures, written many many blogs about them, and learned that just when you think you can't do it for one more second because it is so hard.. God gives you the strength to keep going.
I learned an incredible amount in six years. And I knew the whole time, knew when I closed the door to my classroom the last night I taught back in May of 2015, that God was using that to prepare me for something.
And something I have found indeed.
This summer, starting in early May, I will be interning at a ministry known as Friends of Refugees.
FOR, as it is better known (I sure do love ministries with abbreviations don't I?), is located outside of Atlanta, Georgia in the town of Clarkston.
Their mission is to "care for refugees through relationships and opportunities that provide for their well-being, education, and employment as they become contributing members of society". Their vision is for refugees to experience Kingdom living in relationship with God through Jesus.
In other words, they have so many wonderful opportunities to help the refugees from over 20 different countries to stabilize themselves in America, all while teaching them about the love of Jesus.
You may ask yourself, how in the world did Alana find out about this ministry for refugees in Atlanta?
Well, it all starts back when I went to Passion 2015 with my friends, including my dear lovely beautiful Taylor.
 |
| Passion 2015 |
Over this year's Christmas Break, I began to feel a desire to serve the Lord this summer. (If you're interested in the many times I told God no and He told me yes, please go read my last blog.)
When I began to think of where I could go, I started researching and googled "summer missions 2016 internships".
One of the things that came up was serving for FOR in Clarkston. I clicked on it, looked at it, and then realized "Hey! This is what Taylor's aunt and her family are involved in."
So I spoke with Taylor, who told me to Facebook message her aunt. And I did. And she was so incredibly sweet, so encouraging, and told me to apply. She also answered my 3,000 questions and proof-read my cover letter.
And apply I did.
I got it. I received an email a few days later telling me they were very interested in having me serve on their team and would love to talk on the phone.
So I talked on the phone with the summer camp coordinator, and next thing I know, I am going to Georgia this summer.
"wow Alana that is really cool" you are probably thinking to yourself. And it is very cool.
But here's the cooler part.
God has moved so many barriers from my path.
I have to be back at school in early August (like very early), and I was worried that no one would want an intern that could only work May and June and a bit of early July.
But at FOR they told me they would be happy to have me May and June, as normally their interns don't arrive until June and they could use help in May.
I wanted to work with children so so much as that is my passion, but I also really needed to get some PR experience and I did not see a way that could mesh together.
But at FOR they offered me the position of SUMMER CAMP (yay) Administrative Team Intern.
Which means I will be helping register kids/do administrative work in May. And in June I will be doing PR work, taking pictures of the kids, writing newsletters, updating social media.. all things that I love doing. And I get to do them with kids.
I didn't know where I would live, or how that would work.
But Taylor's aunt and her family have so selflessly offered me a place to live for the summer. Which is conveniently almost right next to the community center where camp is held, so a 45 second walk to work.
God is working in absolutely crazy ways for this to happen.
And it is ALL for His glory.
He let me work with my sweet kids at EFM for years so that I could gain knowledge and experience. He put me in a place that allowed me to talk about my kids for everyone so I could have practice writing and posting pictures.
He gave me what I need to serve Him in Georgia this summer.
So what can I say, but yes.
Yes, God. I will serve.
Yes, I will follow You.
Yes, I will trust that Your plans are so much better.
yes. yes. yes.
I sent out a support letter this week, and many of you who read this blog will probably receive one. However, for those that don't I'm going to put a copy of it here, with my address redacted. If you didn't get a letter and would like one, let me know and I'll be happy to send one your way.
Dear Friends,
I’m writing to share my excitement over where God is leading
me this summer. Located right outside of Atlanta, in the town of Clarkston, is the
non-profit organization known as Friends
of Refugees. Their mission is “to care for refugees through relationships
and opportunities that provide for their well-being, education, and employment
as they become contributing members of society”. The vision for this ministry
is for refugees to experience Kingdom living in relationship with God through
Jesus.
At Friends of Refugees, I will be specifically
working with their summer camp, known as Summer Spectacular, as their Camp Administrative Intern. This all-day
camp has over 140 kids each year, from over 20 different nations! During the
month of May I will be helping to prepare for camp and register children. Once
June comes I will be doing Public Relations work, such as taking pictures,
working with social media, and creating newsletters. As a Public Relations
major, I am thrilled with this great opportunity for experience. Most
importantly, I will get the chance to do one of my absolute favorite things: share love with children in the name of
Jesus.
In order for me to do this, I
humbly come to you to asking for two types of support.
First, I ask for your continued
prayers as I prepare to go, and as I serve there this summer. Knowing that I am
being prayed for is a large source of encouragement.
Second, I ask for you to please
prayerfully consider helping to provide for my financial needs. To serve this summer I need to raise $1200.
Please know there is no obligation for you to give, but if you are able and
feel this is something the Lord wants you to be part of, I am grateful for any
amount. If you are interested in
supporting me financially, I ask that checks be made out to my name and mailed
to --- ---------- ------, Florence SC, 29501 by March 22nd.
As I prepare for the summer, I am
reminded of one of my favorite verses, Proverbs 19:21, “For many are the plans
in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails”.
If you have any questions or would
like to hear more, please feel free to email, call, or text me. I am eager to
follow God’s plans for me this summer, and I thank you in advance for your
support.
Sincerely,
Alana Tyler Obviously, I need financial support. But I also am in heavy need of your prayers.
It's scary. Very exciting, but very scary. So I ask for your prayers, lots and lots of them.
And even though I am freaked out, because new city, new people, I am also so incredibly excited.
I get to do my favorite thing in the world.
I get to show kids the love of Jesus. Kids who don't get that chance.
And I get to WRITE about doing it.
And it all takes place at a summer camp.
And if you tell me that God didn't put that together, I will laugh at you. Because He did.
God is good. He is SO so good. I know He will keep providing as He already has.
At least 140 kids. Over 20 countries. Arts and Crafts. Games. Snacks. Laughter. Smiles. Love.
I can't wait for the summer.
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