1) Robyn! I haven't seen you in forever! Didn't you go to Australia?
Yes! I went to Australia in the Fall of 2007 to join Youth With A Mission (YWAM) for a 6 month training training school. It was amazing! I learned so much about the Lord and his heart for all of his 6 billion children. I also learned tons about myself! I really fell in love with the nations of the earth, I got to spend time in Indonesia, Singapore, and Nepal. It was my first overseas mission experience, and I'm SOLD! I'm game for doing full-time ministry for the rest of my life! I did another YWAM training school last fall in Los Angeles. The five months I spent in LA really opened my eyes, and my heart, to the orphans in my own country. I worked in after school programs in South Central LA for two months, and then went to Tacoma, WA to work with another missions organization called City Central. I actually MOVED to Tacoma this summer!
2) So...what are you doing in Tacoma?
Well, I started by doing a City Central training school called Catalyst. I spent six weeks in Tacoma, and then helped to lead half of our school in three weeks of outreach to Cape Town, South Africa. I then went back to CA for a month to visit family and friends, and recuperate (I was a little bit sick when we came back from Cape Town). I arrived back in Tacoma last month, and I'm working with Youth For Christ, in partnership with City Central to reach the lost kids of this great city. My focus is in the juvenile justice system, so I spend time 4 days a week in a juvenile detention facility called Remann Hall. I lead our Chapel time on Monday nights, have lunch with the girls on Tuesday afternoons, and help with our Lifeskills class on Wednesday evenings. Well, those are a lot of details, but what I really do is love girls in jail. I encourage them, laugh with them, cry with them, play games, speak truth, support them, I'm a familiar face in the courtroom during their trials, and I'm their FRIEND! The best part is hanging out with them when they are released! I enjoy lots of Starbucks and ice cream treats so I can follow up with them. Get them enrolled in school, work towards a GED, meet friends and family, pray with them, teach them, and get them plugged into SOZO, our youth church. I can talk about my "job" all day (because I LOVE it) but I'll stop there. If you want more, just let me know!
3) Wow! Do you work for an organization? Do you get paid?
I work with TWO organizations! Both City Central and Tacoma Youth For Christ work together, sharing ministry sites, resources, ideas, and strategy. Basically, we're a team! I get to work in conjunction with both of them to reach kids for Jesus! I recently accepted an internship position with Youth For Christ to further ministry with youth in detention as well. I'm supported financially by a group of individuals and churches so I can give 40 hours a week to the youth of the city. They are pure blessings in my life!
If you would like more information about these organizations, you can check out www.tacomayfc.org, www.
3) Have you connected with a church?
Not yet! I am "well-fed" through City Central! We meet as a body on Sunday nights, and I go to another meeting on Monday's for people in City Central who do full time ministry. It's a great time of worship, prayer, encouragement, strategizing, getting info out, and it's just plain fun! I have been recommended a few churches in Tacoma, and am planning on making a connection with them after the holiday's. I'm always open to suggestions!
4) What's your living situation like?
I live in North Tacoma with Jarrad and Casey Mock, and their two little girls; Isabelle (4) and Claire (2). I have my own room and we all share a bathroom. A few years ago the Mocks decided to finish out their basement to make room for more young adults in their home. Kailey (21), Liz (20), and Heather (24, and in Kansas City doing an internship with IHOP) live in the apartment downstairs. See the cute picture?
