I've never been able to say this before, and I never thought I would, but here goes...
My prayer has been answered.
Now, before you just click over to a new link because you're not interested in hearing my "testimony" or you don't believe in prayer just hear me out. I'm not about to preach a sermon, I've just never experienced something so perfect fall into my lap before, and because of my faith and belief system I have a specific higher power to give my thanks to.
Also as a warning, this might get a little lengthy so sorry if I bore you.
And without further ado, here's my story...

For quite sometime I've been planning on applying to a group called CSM, the Center for Student Missions. In short, it's an urban ministry program based in about 10 major cities across the US + Toronto, CA. I would be applying to be a group leader, meaning I would be in charge of leading the different youth groups that come on a missions trip around the city. Yadda, yadda, I think you get the point. This was something I wanted to do because I've always loved serving, especially in urban settings.

However, in these past few weeks a few different things have fallen in place for me. I got the job at Border's and I think I've once again decided on a major, Sign Language interpretation. So, needless to say I began questioning my application for this group. I know that urban ministry is something I want to do with my life, but I wasn't sure that this was the right time for me to apply. I'm also really passionate about my city, Flint, and I've been trying to find more and more ways to get involved here at home, but nothing seems to be popping up.

As of the last month or so I've been attending a Bible study on Monday nights that meets downtown at the Salvation Army Citadel, and somehow last night I brought up the whole CSM thing and the struggle I'd been having on whether or not I should apply right now. Tonight, I logged on to Facebook and saw that I had a message from Tom, the leader of the Bible study, and in fear of being unable to paraphrase clear enough, I'll just copy and paste the message he sent...

Jessica,

I was intrigued by your passion to be involved in missions, specifically urban missions when you were sharing last night. I wanted to talk to you, but I was sneezing like crazy and it would not have been a very productive conversation.

Anyway, my job is pretty much an urban ministry job. My wife and I serve as the Community Ministry Coordinators for our church, The Salvation Army. We currently offer several opportunities such as prayer walks through the neighborhood, after school program for kids with tutoring, spring break VBS, Summer Day Camp, Musical lessons, Fitness activities, Bible studies, and more.

We're currently working on developing some alt. spring break /service programs for college age people for Christmas, Spring Break, and the summer. We're also working on purchasing or renting a house in the neighborhood to turn into a college co-op/ gap year house for people committed to urban ministry for at least a year. We also do all ages shows, are looking at srating church services aimed at young adults, and city people, as and more.

I know that you are excited for the program you mentioned, and also the draw of a big city, but that you cannot commit yet because of school and work. If you would like to know more about what we do, I am sure you will find it is very much in line with what you are looking to do, just on a local level in a smaller city with very similar needs. As I said to Alycia, it's a great place to get your feet wet and learn while in a smaller context, which is exactly what she is doing.

Anyway that was on my mind. Hope all is well.

Tom

Could that be any more perfect? I really don't think so, I feel like I'd be a fool to pass up this opportunity. When I read this I truly freaked out, I know it might sound exaggerated to some, but for me this is a big deal. I'm always worried about whether or not I have direction in my life and for once I feel like I really am in the right place, doing the right thing. I'm so, so excited to be able to get involved in what I love, in the city I love.
Anywaysss, I hope that you, too, wherever you may be, can find out what you love, and find the opportunities to act on it. Because it's really an uplifting thing.