Hello lovely people!

As some of you may know, I have recently been accepted to study at YWAM's Music & Worship Discipleship Training School (DTS) in Toowoomba, Australia! Providing all goes well, I will be leaving for 5 months, from around January 17th - June 9th 2018. I'M SO EXCITED!

Being able to take this time out to work on my identity, pursue music and go on adventures is an absolute dream that I have not been able to get out of my head or my heart for the last year or so. After moving to Bristol recently, deferring my place to study at university, and seeking God on what I should do next, I really feel that this is where I am meant to go and an important next step in my life. I genuinely believe this DTS will be a life-changing experience that will refine me as a person, deepen my roots and give me an opportunity to explore how to pursue my music seriously.

After praying about my trip and having a few people asking to support me during my adventures, I have created this page to give some more info for those who are interested, as well as making a way for people to get involved financially if they wish!

What Will I Be Doing?

The first 3 months of my DTS is known as the "Lecture Phase" and will be spent studying topics such as: The Father Heart of God, Intercession, Relationships, Calling, Identity & Purpose, Missions and Re-Entry (being equipped to go back home!).

There will also be a range of extracurricular topics related to music and worship such as: Heart of Worship, Worship Leading, Identity of the Artist, Music in Missions, Advocating for the Poor & Needy, Bringing Awareness of Injustice, Event & Tour Management and Songwriting.

As well as the Lecture Phase, the DTS also involves an 8 week "Outreach Phase". During this time, I will have the opportunity to participate in both local and overseas outreach, supporting vulnerable people in a variety of contexts.

YWAM has a strong call to South-East nations, therefore two weeks of my trip will be spent partnering with another one of their bases in either Thailand or Cambodia: supporting the work they are doing in areas affected by the sex trade.

During the Outreach Phase, I will have the opportunity to gain experience in a number of different areas such as: Setting up/Performing at Music Festivals, Ministering with Music, Leading Worship Services, Sharing Testimonies, Playing Acoustic Shows at Schools/Universities etc, Practical Work Projects Within Communities, Teaching English Classes, Ministering in Sex Trade Areas, Ministering to the Poor and Looking After Children in Orphanages.

1 week of local outreach will also be spent in Toowomba's onsite recording studio, creating an album!

Here is a direct link to the course overview if you would like some more in depth info: https://www.ywamtoowoomba.com/music-worship-dts/

How Can You Help?

I really feel that it is God's plan for me to go to Australia and I have 100% confidence that he will provide the finances I need for this trip! I am aware that there are so many good causes to donate to, especially around Christmas time, so I really don't want anyone to feel obligated to give money; however, if you are reading this and you feel like you would like to help me pursue my dream, then your financial and prayerful support would be greatly appreciated! :)

Thanks to my family's generosity and the opportunity to work 2 jobs since moving to Bristol, I currently have enough money to cover the course fees, the 2 week mission trip to Thailand, a criminal background check, and just about enough for the return flight!

In order for my trip to go ahead, I still need to cover costs for:

- An Australian Visa

- Immunisations (for Thailand)

- A Medical Health Check

- Living costs from January - June

- Travel Insurance

- A Blue Card

I am aiming to raise at least £500 to cover these expenses as I will be unable to work during my trip. Once these financial areas are covered, any extra money will go towards supporting outreach missions and the awesome work that YWAM does.

A huge thank you for reading this and to all the people in my life who encourage me to not settle for anything less than big, scary dreams!

Toowoomba here we come! :)