Monday, March 21, 2011
I'm coming home
DTS is over. We graduated a few days ago and had a nice ceremony. It was different then graduating from high school in many ways, that's for sure. It's been hard to see people leave for the airport. We invested so much time and love into each other and I love them like family. I'm excited for the next chapter God has for me next. Connecting with family and friends again will be so nice. First, I have to conquer the flight home. Prayers for a smooth flight will be very much appreciated. I loaded my ipod with new music and have some books, so that will keep me occupied for the long journey. Next update: I'll be in America! (not to sound weird, but I got so happy typing that out)
Monday, March 14, 2011
Let love explode
Outreach is over! After three days of driving and a run in with some drunk Aboriginals, I'd say God's hand has been on this trip from start to finish. Being reunited with team PNG (our other half) has been so good. This is the last week we are all together in the same place. On Friday we graduate! It has been so good to be back.
I forgot the little things in life I took for granted. The first morning I woke up on a mattress was almost surreal. We slept on either cots or the floor for the past two months. Having privacy is also really nice. Some of us saw a movie in the the theaters. I've barely watched TV for the past six months, so to see all this action on a big screen was awesome. Also drinking cold sodas and eating food without our camping sporks is nice. It was easy to adjust to differences during outreach. I really don't believe in talking about home much or reminiscing about how good the food used to be, because it makes me miss it more. But now that I'm almost there, I'm more excited and will enjoy these comforts with a renewed appreciation.
The conclusion of outreach involved ministry in hospitals, youth groups, schools, after school programs, churches, and a prison. God did some amazing things wherever we went. So much has happened and I'm not sure where to start, so I'll save some stories for another time. The people and things that happened will stay in my heart forever. I took a piece of this trip with me and it has forever changed my perspective on life.
When we had free time, our team had opportunity to take advantage of all the beauty the Northern Territory has to offer. We rode camels in the desert, hiked a couple mountains, fed wild wallabys at a hostel. (which we called the "wastel" because it was were all the wallabys hung out haha...okay, it was funnier at the time) and got to see Ayers Rock. That was an awesome experience. If anyone is ever in Australia, I'd strongly encourage them to see it because it's unbelievable! The scenic three day drive was an adventure in itself.
There is an American army base in Alice Springs. What they do is secret, and we were surprised to find so many Americans in the center of Australia. If you asked someone what they did and they said "I work for the base." You would know what they mean and they can't say anymore really. Anyway, a guy who works for the base goes to the church we went to. He invited our team over for a bbq at his house with his family. They were so kind and hospitable to us, and we had a great time. It felt like there was a little piece of home when we were there. Everything from the plugs to the food was American. It's amazing how you forget the little things that feel like home.
I had a great time on outreach. There were defiantly highs and lows, but through the challenges I got stronger. It's impossible to go through this and not learn a thing or two about yourself. I learned that no matter how I'm feeling, I need to choose to love. The old saying "love conquers all" is so true. The scriptures came more alive and evident in my life. It was really all I had for truth. The more I read, the more I became confident that if we don't have love in what we're doing, we have nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:1-2 "If I speak in tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophesy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have the faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing." It would be a long, hot day and every nerve in my body wanted to either be alone or fall asleep. Suddenly something would happen or come up. I had to choose to love and found that when I asked God to give a heart for this person or situation he would. His grace is sufficient in every circumstance. Love is the whole basis of Christianity and a powerful weapon in the kingdom of God. In the words of a popular YWAM speaker "just look outside yourself, shut up, and love your neighbor."
I can't believe I'll be home soon. I'm enjoying this last week in Australia. It's a beautiful country. I also love YWAM. Everything about it. It's its own little culture. My life the past six months has been safe, predictable, growing, free, challenging and structured. I constantly have people to talk about the Bible with. I've met some amazing friends who I'll miss dearly. I know that at home I won't be in this Christian bubble and have my days all planned out. I'm well aware that life anywhere but here is different. I'm excited to come home and put into practice all that has been planted and sowed in me. I'm excited to tell others about what I've experienced. Mark chapter four sums up what I'm going through right now. Gods desire for me (and all of us) is to go higher and to propel further in life. I know that no matter where I am, God is there because he lives in me. He can live inside of you as well. If you confess with your mouth and believe in your heart, you can experience the greatest gift life can give. Some scriptures: John 3:16-17, Romans 3:23, Romans 10:9-10, 1 Corinthians 2,1 John 1:9. Accepting Christ is a decision that only you can make. If you have any questions defiantly talk to someone you know whose a Christian. My email is always available and I would love to talk to you. esadler54@hotmail.com
Blessings to all, and to to those back home: I love you and can't wait to see you :)
I forgot the little things in life I took for granted. The first morning I woke up on a mattress was almost surreal. We slept on either cots or the floor for the past two months. Having privacy is also really nice. Some of us saw a movie in the the theaters. I've barely watched TV for the past six months, so to see all this action on a big screen was awesome. Also drinking cold sodas and eating food without our camping sporks is nice. It was easy to adjust to differences during outreach. I really don't believe in talking about home much or reminiscing about how good the food used to be, because it makes me miss it more. But now that I'm almost there, I'm more excited and will enjoy these comforts with a renewed appreciation.
The conclusion of outreach involved ministry in hospitals, youth groups, schools, after school programs, churches, and a prison. God did some amazing things wherever we went. So much has happened and I'm not sure where to start, so I'll save some stories for another time. The people and things that happened will stay in my heart forever. I took a piece of this trip with me and it has forever changed my perspective on life.
When we had free time, our team had opportunity to take advantage of all the beauty the Northern Territory has to offer. We rode camels in the desert, hiked a couple mountains, fed wild wallabys at a hostel. (which we called the "wastel" because it was were all the wallabys hung out haha...okay, it was funnier at the time) and got to see Ayers Rock. That was an awesome experience. If anyone is ever in Australia, I'd strongly encourage them to see it because it's unbelievable! The scenic three day drive was an adventure in itself.
There is an American army base in Alice Springs. What they do is secret, and we were surprised to find so many Americans in the center of Australia. If you asked someone what they did and they said "I work for the base." You would know what they mean and they can't say anymore really. Anyway, a guy who works for the base goes to the church we went to. He invited our team over for a bbq at his house with his family. They were so kind and hospitable to us, and we had a great time. It felt like there was a little piece of home when we were there. Everything from the plugs to the food was American. It's amazing how you forget the little things that feel like home.
I had a great time on outreach. There were defiantly highs and lows, but through the challenges I got stronger. It's impossible to go through this and not learn a thing or two about yourself. I learned that no matter how I'm feeling, I need to choose to love. The old saying "love conquers all" is so true. The scriptures came more alive and evident in my life. It was really all I had for truth. The more I read, the more I became confident that if we don't have love in what we're doing, we have nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:1-2 "If I speak in tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophesy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have the faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing." It would be a long, hot day and every nerve in my body wanted to either be alone or fall asleep. Suddenly something would happen or come up. I had to choose to love and found that when I asked God to give a heart for this person or situation he would. His grace is sufficient in every circumstance. Love is the whole basis of Christianity and a powerful weapon in the kingdom of God. In the words of a popular YWAM speaker "just look outside yourself, shut up, and love your neighbor."
I can't believe I'll be home soon. I'm enjoying this last week in Australia. It's a beautiful country. I also love YWAM. Everything about it. It's its own little culture. My life the past six months has been safe, predictable, growing, free, challenging and structured. I constantly have people to talk about the Bible with. I've met some amazing friends who I'll miss dearly. I know that at home I won't be in this Christian bubble and have my days all planned out. I'm well aware that life anywhere but here is different. I'm excited to come home and put into practice all that has been planted and sowed in me. I'm excited to tell others about what I've experienced. Mark chapter four sums up what I'm going through right now. Gods desire for me (and all of us) is to go higher and to propel further in life. I know that no matter where I am, God is there because he lives in me. He can live inside of you as well. If you confess with your mouth and believe in your heart, you can experience the greatest gift life can give. Some scriptures: John 3:16-17, Romans 3:23, Romans 10:9-10, 1 Corinthians 2,1 John 1:9. Accepting Christ is a decision that only you can make. If you have any questions defiantly talk to someone you know whose a Christian. My email is always available and I would love to talk to you. esadler54@hotmail.com
Blessings to all, and to to those back home: I love you and can't wait to see you :)
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