November Newsletter

These are from a few months ago, but I want to put all of my email updates on the blog. If you haven't signed up to receive my monthly email newsletter you can do so here! http://eepurl.com/bwj2aD

November Newsletter Update... 

Hello Friends and Family!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Here are some of the highlights from the month of November! 

• Go Conference - The Go Conference's goal is to energize a generation to GO to the least reached and the most vulnerable. This year the conference was held at New Life Ranch in Oklahoma for one week. We gathered with five other YWAM bases and spent time worshiping and praying for the nations. There were a few speakers who taught us more about global missions. We spent time praying specifically for HIV/AIDS, ISIS, and the Church around the world. I also had the opportunity to baptize both of my one on one's, Candace and Karoliina! So proud of them both for taking their next step! 
• Teachings - We had teachings on Biblical Worldview and Fear of the Lord. So many revelations happened with all the students and the staff through these teachings! 
• Intercession - We've been doing intercessory prayer on Tuesday's and Thursday's for North Korea. 
• Outreach Prep Retreats - My outreach co-leader (Amy) and I have been praying and planning a lot for our upcoming outreach to India! We leave in 34 days! We had our retreat last weekend. We got to get out of the Training Center building and split up into our teams and go to a house in Madison to spend the weekend bonding and praying and laughing and eating! 
• Birthday Weekend - I got to take a trip to Ohio for my birthday weekend with my friend Jenna to go to a Women's Conference and to visit my best friend from my DTS last year, Annika. On the way back I got to go to Indiana for my friend Amanda Blackburn's Celebration of Life service. As many of you probably know, or have seen on the news, Amanda passed away on November 11th. Amanda was not only my youth pastor's wife, but a great friend. She was always willing to listen and encourage me in my walk with Christ. She was such an incredible example of someone loving like Jesus loves. I miss her a lot. It's been difficult the past three weeks, but I know that the Best Is Yet To Come. God truly is an amazing Comforter and even when I question His character and ask tough questions, He is faithful in answering them and showing me so much grace through them. 
• Thanksgiving Break - This Thanksgiving I got the opportunity to travel home with Candace and meet her amazing and HUGE family! It is a family of 18; 5 biological and 11 adopted! It was so much fun and very relaxing! I loved getting to hear stories of the kid's adoptions!

Some prayer points for upcoming month of December : 

• For the funds to come in for my outreach. I still need $1,360. We are trying to book tickets as soon as possible but we need our airfare portion of the funds to come in first. Please pray for a release of finances! If you would like to partner with me in bringing hope to women and children at risk in India please let me know! 
• For continued strength and energy as we plan the outreach! 

I'm so thankful for each one of you and please know it means so much to have you supporting me! If you made it to the bottom of this email, could you do me a quick favor? Could you send me a reply email or a quick text to (864)735-6340 so that I know you read this? Thank you so much! Couldn't do this without you guys! Love you all! 

Karoliina taking her next step in baptism. So proud of her!

Candace taking her next step in baptism. So proud of her!

My amazing co-leader Amy! Cannot wait to lead our outreach together!

Amanda and I four years ago. She was so in love with Jesus and such a godly example to me and countless others through my high school years. So thankful for her!

Our team wearing our punjabis! Outreach Prep!

Having an authentic meal of chicken curry, chapati, and chai with no utensils!

Amazing Thanksgiving Break with this incredible family!

September Newsletter

(Written on October 1st) Hello from the cornfields! This past month was so incredible! Here are a few things that happened:

• Our DTS (Discipleship Training School) Staff Training was September 8th-20th. We had a lot of bonding experiences as a staff, including a whole day of team building. We looked at everyone's Myers Briggs personality types and talked in depth about each one and ways we can all work well together. We spent a lot of time praying for the students as they prepared to leave their homes and start this six month journey of knowing God and making Him known. We have such an incredible Staff Team and I am so excited to be working alongside of them!

Our Vision Statement 

"We as a DTS staff team commit to follow the Holy Spirit's leading first as individuals and also as a team, pointing to God through a lifestyle of interdependence, commitment, gratitude, prayer, and vulnerability. It is through these relationships that students will be invited into the overflow of the Holy Spirit's work in our lives, individually and as a community. In this environment, students will be able to pursue their relationship with God and personal destiny."

• The students started arriving on September 20th! They got settled in and we started with Orientation! The first day of Lecture Phase was Wednesday the 23rd and the topic was "Hearing God's Voice." It was so great to hear testimonies from the students of how God revealed things to them and spoke to them. We also had teaching on "Clean Conscience" during which we experienced a lot of healing and freedom!
• I've been living in Madison for almost two months and I've really been wanting to find a home church where I could get plugged into serving. I found one! It's called Heartland and is very similar to my church back home. I'm so excited to get to know the people there and have community outside of YWAM. 

Three ways you can be praying:

• For the 30 students : that they would be able to feel at home and really grasp what God has for them during this school. That they would have a growing desire to go deeper in their walk with Christ.
• For the teachings this month : Character and Nature of God, Father Heart of God, Roots, and Spiritual Warfare. As I think back to last year when I heard these teachings, I'm reminded of the life change I experienced, the things I learned for the first time, the areas of hurt that God healed... I'm SO EXCITED, to say the least. This month of teaching is so important, so please be praying! 
• For me : for wisdom as I start one on one's and small group. That God would speak and work through me. For confidence in leadership. That I would constantly remember my identity in Christ. 
• Today we head out to the woods for Survivor. We will be spending a few days camping and learning a lot about God's heart for the people who are experiencing different injustices around the world. More to come on the next newsletter! Please be praying for the students as they lay down rights and get out of their comfort zone!

Every single day in wake up in the same building as 50 other on-fire, God-seeking people who are so much fun! I can't believe this is my job! Thank you all so much for reading these updates and for praying for me and this DTS!

Lecture Phase has begun!! These guys and girls are world changers! 

It's not a joke when I say we are in the middle of the cornfields.

My small group! Cannot wait to grow closer to these girls as we learn from each other!

August Newsletter!

(Written on September 1st.) And so it begins... y'all I love my life! I am so excited to update you all on my time with Youth With A Mission in Madison, Wisconsin over the next 2+ years!
We are wrapping up the first month on staff here and it has been incredible! Here are some of my favorite things we've done this month during our New Staff Training:

• We learned a lot about the different areas of ministry inside of YWAM Madison and got to do some work projects for each of the ministries. 
• Had dine arounds with various staff families and got to know them better. Everyone here is so incredible and it means so much to know that they truly care about us!
• We had our DTS Staff Retreat at a lake house in Northern Wisconsin. It was an incredible time of resting, bonding, and having a ton of fun together as a team before the crazy schedule starts!

A few things I've learned since being here:

• Wealthy relationships - there is so much opportunity here (inside of YWAM and outside of YWAM) for incredibly wealthy and intentional relationships. But in order to have those wealthy relationships I must take initiative. 
• My schedule for pretty much the next two years is going to be crazy, so I must balance my priorities and manage my time well. 
• I am incredibly blessed!! To be here. To be doing ministry. To have a relationship with Jesus! Gosh, i'm so pumped!

Three ways you can be praying for me:

• For boldness to go out of my comfort zone and initiate new relationships.
• For wisdom and energy as I continue to raise funds.
• The students arrive on September 20th! You can be praying for them as they prepare to leave their homes, and set out to learn, be discipled, grow closer to God, and go into the nations!

DTS (Discipleship Training School) Staff Training starts on September 8th and we will begin preparing for the students to arrive on September 20th. I absolutely cannot wait to meet all 32 students and do life with them over the next six months as they do their DTS! Jesus is about to change lives!!! 

I want to keep these updates as short as possible but if you ever want more info just let me know!

Thank you all for your love and support! I literally could not do this without you! 


________________________________________________________________________________

For the next 2 years I will be volunteer staff and I need a total of $500/month. If you would like to support me as a missionary financially you can do so one of 3 ways:

• The easiest and most preferred option (for monthly supporters) will be to print and mail or fax the Automated Giving Form so you can set up an automatic monthly credit card charge or bank account draft. Please contact me when you send the form in so I know to receive it from the office/mail!
• For a one-time gift you can give through PayPal on (www.ywammadison.org/donate). Please remember to add a note indicating that the donation is for me, otherwise it will be considered a general donation to YWAM.
• If you would like to give a one-time gift by check please make it out to YWAM Madison and send it to PO Box 8503, Madison, WI 53708. (If you send in a check, please DO NOT write my name anywhere on the check, or the donations won't be tax-deductible. Instead, please include a separate not with my name on it.)

Please contact me if you have any questions!

Kayla Burick

kaylaburick@ywammadison.org

(864)735-6340

4802 Dakota Drive

Madison, WI 53704

Tubing, jet skiing, boating... Staff Retreat!

Connect New Staff Training group! Love these incredible people! 

Downtown Madison! 

53 Days Left in Greenville!

Hey ya'll! As most of you know I am currently at home resting, catching up with friends and family, and working on a support system. I am really enjoying my time at home and I am learning a lot about resting and what it needs to look like for me in this season.

I am home until early August, then I go back to Youth With A Mission in Madison, Wisconsin. I will be signing on as a volunteer staff for two years! Now, just in case you’re not sure about what YWAM (Youth With A Mission) really is… here are a few facts!

• Youth With A Mission is an interdenominational, non-profit, Christian missionary organization.
• It is a global movement with the mission statement, “To know God and make Him known.”
• They currently work in more than 1,100 locations in over 180 countries, with a volunteer staff of over 18,000!

So as you can see, it is more than just Wisconsin. This organization is making a huge impact throughout the world! I am so excited to be a part of it! For the first six months, I will be a volunteer staff for the Fall DTS (Discipleship Training School) which is the school I just finished. I will be a part of leading a small group and mentoring a few students one-on-one. Ultimately I will be encouraging young people in finding their purpose/destiny and walking alongside of them in it! I will also be co-leading a trip overseas for the last 7 weeks of the DTS!

Then the next nine months I will be a student in a secondary school through YWAM called “Launchpad”. This is a leadership program that comes alongside of you and launches you into your calling!

What I believe God has asked me to do long-term is to start an organization that connects individuals/churches/businesses in the United States with orphanages overseas who need financial support to continue to run successfully. I don’t have all the details on what exactly that will look like, but I know that it is what God has called me to do! I’m so excited to get more clarity and direction from the Lord over the next two years in YWAM.

In order to be fully effective during my two years with YWAM, I need a support base of at least $500/month. Since it is a full-time volunteer position, I will be raising money for rent, food, conference fees, etc. This amount does not include airfare for overseas.

Would you be willing to pray about supporting me monthly and investing in what God wants to do in and through my life during my time in YWAM? If you are interested in supporting me monthly, or giving a one-time gift, please contact me so I can give you more information on different giving options. All donations can be tax-deductible and monthly support can be paused or canceled at any time. Please let me know if you have any questions!

Thank you so much for reading! And thank you for your friendship and partnership in this journey! To God be the glory!

Next Steps!!

Hey Friends and Family!

Well I've been home for about a month now and i'm learning a lot from being back in my hometown. I was worried that I wouldn't hear God as well or as often being away from YWAM and back into everyday life. But God is so faithful! He loves to speak to His children. We just have to position ourselves to hear His voice and listen! He is speaking a lot and teaching me so much about what the next season of my life will look like! 

I will be home until early August and then I will be going back to Madison, Wisconsin to join Youth With A Mission. I will be making a two year commitment and I am so excited to go back! The first six months I will be a volunteer staff of the Fall DTS (Discipleship Training School). The next nine months I will attend a secondary school at YWAM called Lauchpad, where I will be learning leadership skills and will be "launched" (encouraged and coached) into my calling. Which will be working with orphanages around the world! (Long story short!) During the two years with YWAM, as volunteer staff, I will be relying on the monthly supporters God gives me. I cannot wait to experience His provision! 

During my time back home I have really felt God saying that He wants these next few months to be a season of rest for me. If you know me, you probably know I have a hard time resting. I always want to be going somewhere and doing something. But I am realizing the importance of rest and learning more and more about what that will look like for me. So in the next few months I will be doing a lot of resting, hanging out with friends and family, and working on fundraising. 

Thanks for reading! If you have any questions, i'd love to answer them in the comments below! =D 

I'm Coming Home!

Hello Family and Friends!

I'm coming home! As some of you know, I've completed my Discipleship Training School with YWAM (Youth With A Mission)! I can't even begin to describe to you have much I've learned and grown over the past six months. But I'm going to do my best over the next few months to update this blog regularly with stories from YWAM. I spent three months in Wisconsin learning SO MUCH about who God is and what missions is and how they are connected. Then I spent two months in China putting into practice the things that I learned and bringing the hope of Christ to that nation.

Thank you so much to everyone who supported me prayerfully and financially on this journey to YWAM! I couldn't have done it without you!

I'm trying to keep this super short because I know (out of all of my three readers, including my mom) that no one wants to read a super long post... Even though I have so much to say! I'm going to break it all up into multiple posts. I will be updating more over the next few months with stories from my time overseas. There a few stories that I won't be able to share online, so for those you'll have to ask me!

I love you all and your support means the world to me! Once again, thank you!

Getting Ready For Outreach!

Hello Everyone! Things are going so well here in Madison. God just continues to blow my mind with all that He is showing me. Recently we've had so many great teachings. Like Relationships, Fear of the Lord, Destiny, and Roots! We are all getting ready for Outreach!

Destiny Week

I could write so much about this week of teaching. It was my all time favorite and I learned SO MUCH! Wick and Jan Nease were our speakers and they have an AMAZING organization called Streams of Mercy. They connect people and resources to orphanages around the world who need support! I want to do  practically the same exact thing. It's SUCH a great organization and I highly recommend it for anyone looking to invest in the lives of orphans around the world!


More on Outreach 

Outreach is coming! And it's coming FAST! We will be leaving on January 3rd and returning on February 18th. We have bought our tickets and applied for our visas. It's so real now. We are going to East Asia!!!! I absolutely cannot wait! We will be working with an organization who rescues women out of the sex slave trade and teaching them valuable skills and gives them jobs making jewelry. We will be helping out at some special needs orphanages. We will be doing a lot of English Corners where we will teach English and do some friendship evangelism! And we will be doing a lot of prayer and intercession! We are spending a lot of time in prayer to ask God what else He wants us to do while we are there.

God is The Provider

One of the biggest things God is reminding me of is how much He cares about me and wants to provide for me. I know He has called me to go to this country in East Asia, and I know He is going to provide the way for me to get there. He has constantly provided for me over and over again here, and throughout my life! I have absolutely NO REASON not trust Him in this.

Funds

I currently have about $450 towards outreach. I still need about $3,050. Would you prayerfully consider partnering with me financially? If so, you can donate via papal in the top right hand corner of this page, or via check by mail.

Kayla Burick
N1707 County Road N
Columbus, WI 53925

Thanks for reading!