Amanda Carpenter
Amanda writes:
“Just over 22 years ago & at the age of 19, my mom dropped me off to attend Joshua Wilderness Institute. Upon entering Spruce, the precursor to the present JWI Lodge, I was full of nerves. Mostly, I was wondering if wearing makeup was an acceptable practice. This was my 1st “Christian” living situation, and I was a new believer. As other girls arrived, many having already worked & lived there previously, my mind was at ease.
In total, I had spent a few years living and working in some capacity at Hume Lake: as a JWI student, in the kitchen, Snackey, Huckleberry, SCS, and as a hostess. This season was formative to my faith, and lessons learned both easily and through difficulty have been carried with me until now.
Notably, I had the opportunity to witness healthy family relationships for the first time. The idea that the family unit could move through life imperfectly through grace and mercy lived out together shattered my past experiences. Just as important, I had the opportunity to witness the glory produced by redeemed ragamuffins. It was during my year at JWI that my understanding of what putting on new clothes could mean for me and my recent past. Darin McWatters, Jeff Lilley, Norm & Patsy Daniels, Brian Burnham, Yvonne & Brian Downs, and Jenny & Ted Larson were but a handful that played an active role in meeting me where I was and walking me a step further.
Some of those steps in faith have included attending Moody Bible Institute, coming alongside other Hume Alumni as part of a church plant in Utah, orphan care ministry, adopting our daughter, homeschooling, and various roles in the local church.
I am married to Blake, whom I met at Moody Bible Institute, and we live in Fresno. Most days are spent homeschooling my kid crew: Ethan, 18, Micah, 16, Rose, 14, and Simon (who would insist on me putting 10) and supporting my husband as he supports us bi-vocationally as a network engineer and worship director of our church. On other days I get to speak and teach at various events typically centered on the biblical call and care of the fatherless. I am forever grateful for my season spent at HLCC, and after much thoughtful prayer, my eldest will be applying to attend JWI, and I am awestruck that I might have the opportunity to drop my kid off at Hume’s doorstep. Philippians 1:8-11.”
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