Virginia Episcopalian Magazine Winter 2013 Issue | Page 20

it is open to single and married couples – really any Episcopalian
between ages 21 and 30. The application process is much faster
than many other similar programs, and it is designed to fit around
the school year if you are about to graduate from school. For me, a
year-long placement was also a really nice length – long enough to
really get to know a place, but not so long that you feel like you lose
contact with people back home. We could still potentially extend
our time here, but I was glad to be able to come to this very new
environment with a single-year commitment.

I would say that if international mission sounds interesting to
you, get in touch with the YASC program. They provide really great

information and help you discern whether this is might be work God
is calling you to. I found their discernment retreat extremely helpful
as I contemplated where I would serve after graduation, and it also
got me really excited about service abroad! It also made me part of a
community of other young adults serving this year around the world,
and that has been a great source of encouragement and help as I
prepared to go and as I have adjusted to my new home.
B: I don’t have much to add, other than to say, do it! You won’t
regret it.

Ashley Bingaman
Blog: ashleybingaman.blogspot.com
How did you get interested in mission work?
My parish, Christ Church in Winchester, was going on a 10-day
mission trip down to the Dominican Republic. A friend at church
recommended that I go to the informational meeting because she
thought I might enjoy doing mission trip. She was right – I was
definitely interested in participating. In July of 2011, I went on the
mission trip with them and loved it. By the end of our first day of
the Vacation Bible School we were facilitating, I felt a calling to do
more mission work. Upon our return to the United States, I began
exploring options for continuing in the mission field.

How did you first hear about the YASC program?
When exploring options to do further mission work, I was put in
touch with Buck Blanchard, [director for Mission & Outreach at
the Diocese of Virginia]. After conversations with Buck, I learned
about the Young Adult Service Corps. I also attended the Everyone,
Everywhere Conference about mission work in the Episcopal Church.
At that conference I met the YASC staff and decided it was a good fit
for my desire to do mission work.

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