I’ve loved money for as long as I can remember.
I was the tiniest entrepreneur you ever met from swindling lunch money from kids by selling gum and pencils from my backpack in grade 2 to selling custom burned CD’s on the school bus (before I knew how illegal it was!) I loved money so much that my brother actually caught me ironing one dollar bills in the kitchen one time so they were as crisp as the movies make them look. I loved money then, and I love money still. The irony in this story is that after I completed my Discipleship Training School in 2011 I decided to join staff in Townsville. My brother pointed out the obvious irony shortly after I shared the news. “Wait, so you’re taking a job overseas where you won’t actually make any money?” I could see how weird that sounded and immediately the panic flooded my mind. It had never really hit me before he said it. How would I make money? How will I ever be successful? As I talked with churches, family and friends I realised that people believed in me and what we could accomplish when we partnered together.
I went on to serve in YWAM for more than five years in a variety of roles. From staffing and leading Discipleship Training Schools, leading our dental clinic onboard the medical ship, working as a registrar and creating maps to moving on to my true passion- marketing. In five years I never went without a home, food, clothes, airfare, shoes or even some of the “wants” I had like great coffee and camping trips. In those five years, I worked harder than I had ever worked before and I learned more than I ever fathomed possible. I also fell in love with a career path that I am now pursuing in the business world today. In those five years, my love of money turned into the love of working for something much greater.
I still love making money, but what drives me is to see my influence in the world and my passion to make a difference. Money just happens to be what allows me to continue doing what I believe in. After several years in our marketing and communications office, I heard hundreds of young people turn down the opportunity to do a Discipleship Training School based on money. If there’s anything holding you back, don’t let money be it. I fundraised for Discipleship Training School by putting toilets in peoples yards… but that’s another story 😉
Lea Emerson
Alumni DTS and Staff Member for 5 years, Lea, is a bright ambitious young woman from Paris, Texas, USA. She’s an excellent leader, teacher, communicator, and one of the best story tellers you’ll ever get the privilege of hearing from! She enjoys coffee, being with good company, and watching documentaries.
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