YAV Placement Event

WOW! What a weekend! I made it back to Tampa today at about 9pm. I am so physically and mentally exhausted, but I am so happy about what has happened this weekend. For those of you who do not already know or did not notice it in my title for this blog but I got a placement in KENYA!!!

Wait...let me say that again... I AM GOING TO KENYA!!!!!!!!

Let me start from the beginning of my YAV experience. I first heard about YAV during an informational meeting that Sarah (I'm sorry I am not sure of the last name but I know she went to Guatemala!) did for the Montreat Summer staff this past summer. I was really intrigued by what YAV was and started thinking if this was the path that God was leading me on. I soon found myself interviewing with Essie over the phone and then next thing I knew I was on a flight to Louisville, KY for the placement event!


I went to the placement event with one thing on my mind that I was going to go to Northern Ireland; no questions asked. I was so dead set on it that I did not really think of any other sites. I did know that I should be open and allow anything to happen. I was scheduled to complete both of my interviews on Friday, which I thought was nice because then I would have all of Saturday to determine which site would be best for me. I was going to be interviewing with Northern Ireland and Guatemala. I was so exciting about the Northern Ireland one that I could not wait till 9:30 p.m. on Friday for that interview.

I arrived in Louisville on Thursday March 17th at 10 p.m. after everyone else had gotten there so I would have a lot of catching up to do in the morning. Luckily I knew my roommate for the weekend because I had worked with her at Montreat. When I arrived at Law's Lodge I went directly to my room to catch up with Erin!

The next day we woke up really early (6 a.m.) for breakfast. After breakfast we had worship and then site presentations. This was where I would be able to learn even more about the two sites I was going to be interviewing with. After the site presentations we met with our small groups; which had met the night before but luckily I knew someone in my small group because I worked with him at Montreat. My small group had named our group the YAV Stravenganzas (spelling? the E at the beginning is suppose to be missing I think) which was perfect! The group was very welcoming and I felt that I hadn't missed anything!

After our small group meeting we went to lunch. Lunch was great and I got to know even more people. I was then approached by Shannon about possibly interviewing with Kenya. Kenya had never crossed my mind and I wasn't sure if I wanted to interview, but I told Shannon, "Why not?" So I was set to interview with Kenya for 2:15 p.m. the next day. I did not think of it that much and began to get ready for my interview with Guatemala that was happening soon.

After my interview with Guatemala I began to research Kenya and its program. I began to see myself possibly going to Kenya. I still wasn't 100% sure but I was open to the idea. I was still wanting to really go to Northern Ireland.

It was finally time for my interview with Northern Ireland and I thought it went pretty well. It was tough and I was beginning to think that this site was not the exact right fit for me. I was still going back to what I knew about the Kenya placement and how right that placement was beginning to feel.

It was finally time for my interview with Kenya. I was very nervous and didn't really know what to expect. I had heard from a few others that it was really intimidating and it was a tough interview. The interview was going very well and I was really feeling great about the whole thing. When Phyllis (the site coordinator) told me what she is looking for in a YAV, that gave me chills and I knew that this placement is perfect for me. This site is not only about making a difference in Kenya but it is also about making a difference in yourself. That really hit me and was beginning to feel that this is the placement God wants me to go to.

I went into this weekend thinking that my placement was definitely going to Northern Ireland, but I came out of it knowing that I am going to the place that God wants me to go. God has truly showed me the power He can give to each person. I cannot wait until I get to go to Kenya in August! I hope that you will continue to read my blogs as I go through the next year and a half. I will be needing prayer and support throughout the whole process.

A Year of Service for a Lifetime of Change! :)