My name is Crystal Steinhauer and I was born in Merritt, British Columbia, and grew up on the Coldwater Reserve. My parents are Faran and Vivian Steinhauer. My dad is from the Saddle Lake Cree Nation of Alberta. Most of his family are Christians and his mother, my grandmother, was a praying mom who is a living testimony to her children and family in Saddle Lake. My mom is from Merritt, and her family is from the Thompson Nation.

Both my parents are from large families. I love all my relatives, no matter what they do because God says we have to love others as He has loved us. I love my family very much because God has given them to me and I know it's important to be a good example to others.

Every Sunday my family would go to a church and hear the message from Sunday school that taught us about God and the goodness that He has given us and the world He created. While we lived there throughout the years, every summer there would be SMI'ers (Summer Missions Institute), run by NAIM (North America Indigenous Mission). We would open our house and host them for the six weeks so they could come onto the reserve. They would go to the community hall and have kids club and other days they would have teen night for the youth.

They would reach out to people in different ways, especially to the kids to tell them that Creator is an awesome God that loves them in all their troubles. I really liked when they would play with all the kids and have fun. That is when I decided I wanted to do that when I grew up.

While I was growing up in a Christian home, after dinner we would have time with a devotional book and have fun listening to others tell their stories of difficult times where God showed them the way and how to make the right decisions. In 2007, when I was in Grade 6, we moved from Merritt, B.C. to Edmonton, Alberta.

When I turned thirteen I was able to go to NYC (Native Youth Conference), which is a really awesome weekend for youth that includes fun times with games and workshops with other youth from different places. When I went in 2013 I went to a workshop led by a person who worked with YWAM-Youth With a Mission-and that is when I decided I wanted to do that.

Thus begins the start of this wonderful journey. Life was exciting as I just graduated from high school but along came the questions of "what were the plans," "what you going to do?"

So I began browsing the Internet which was great and awesome because it led me to a place called YWAM Australia in Melbourne. YWAM is a global movement of followers of Jesus from many cultures, age groups, and Christian traditions dedicated to serving Jesus throughout the world. YWAM (pronounced "WHY-wham) is united in a common purpose to know God and to make Him known. It all became clear that God's desire was for me to do a missions trip.

At first this seemed like something impossible since it was kind of expensive but God tugged at my heart. This is for real and I told my parents.

"Dad, I'm going to tell you something. Are you going to be mad at me?"

Before he had a chance to answer, I continued, "...I want to go on a missions trip..."

"Oh where?" Dad said, thinking it would be somewhere in Canada.

"No, it's in Australia!"

"What! Are you sure?" Dad replied. "OK, let's do this then."

The next step was challenging: finding funds to cover the whole cost which was $15,000. God is with you no matter what in any situation. I can relate to this very much. He has been with me the whole way because I had to have faith in the Lord, to provide the way for me to go from Canada to Australia with no funds at all. In the end, He has provided everything I need.

The process of everything began to unfold: telling my family and the church congregation (they were surprised). At First Nations Alliance Church where I attend, they are very supportive as I told them of my decision to go to Australia. With a great support system and prayer warriors, we all began the next step together.

With a great deal of planning and brainstorming with help from Ron Hartwig, our great big family began raising funds. Fundraisers ranging from garage sale, book sale, car wash, bake sale, movie night, silent auctions and quilt fundraisers, it really was a busy summer. I also sent out a support letter to friends, family and some churches. At first it was a slow start and I began to doubt and worry. But I had to remember what the Bible says about "casting all my worries on the Lord and He knows the desires of my heart."

Slowly but surely the monies came together, my passport and visa got approved, health insurance and flight ticket were bought. Jesus has paved a way for me to be in a place where He is loved and being taught about. God is so great and having faith in Him with your worries and trouble being taken care of because He doesn't want you to have to deal with that but for you to be happy and living for Him!

It has been an amazing experience -this ministry God has offered me runs from October 1, 2014 until March 9th 2015. The course is called "ALL DTS" stands for (Discipleship Training School) which is three months of Lecture Phase: learning new stuff, growing, stretching and furthering my faith in God. The other half (3 months) is Outreach Phase: inspiring people with the knowledge of God.

From Crystal's journal...

Everything happened so fast, before I knew it was time to catch the plane and leave Canada. This would be the first time to be away from family and for so long, what a tough trial but God is with me everywhere I go.

When I arrived, oh boy was it ever a culture shock! Driving on the wrong side of the road, instead of stop signs they have traffic circles called "roundabouts" so traffic flows more evenly everywhere. Eating different foods, jet lag-16 hours' time difference.

This DTS has been one of their largest: 45 students and maybe seven families and staff. We come from all over the world, me being the only representative from Canada. I'm known as "Miss Canada."

All together been to Melbourne, Victoria, Mayborough, Avoca, Hobart Tasmania in Australia. Still alive but they keep us so busy and almost time for the holidays. Very difficult to be away but so thankful for Skype!

I'm in Fiji now, no more WiFi or technology.. nice to be away. Been bitten, heat rash, sunburned, sick, food poisoning, dehydrated at times but it's so BEAUTIFUL HERE!! Truly a struggle not to know full details, things not on time.

Rugby is popular here so outreach targets around that. Outreach includes: a Rugby clinic, worship seminar, going house to house and a kids' program.

God's teaching me to be patient. The Holy Spirit revealed to me how across the world they worship God in different ways and that's OK. God is great, amazing, loving every moment of this adventure. I have learned so much about myself and my personal relationship with God has grown tons.

Crystal Steinhauer

Crystal's family came to the airport to see her off. It was hard to say goodbye but they know that she is following her calling-God's calling-and that makes her absence that much easier to bear.

Going on YWAM is an experience itself. Coming to Melbourne, Australia has been life-changing! So thankful and grateful to everyone for the love and support in making this journey happen.